West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1894-08-30
P0IiGlealls L. S.
. So y. : :R{diaiSfIzs
TO BOSS OK NOT TO BOSS.

/ interview with himself, published in
recent issue of the J0HrHai with
n cunningness which is peculiarly
his own, attempts to prove that the
convention is preferable TO the pri-
mary. The weight Of his argument
is that the convention Is less bur-
/ densomc aud less costly to onndi-
dates than the primary. A mere
assertion without proof, We prefer
to deal in facts instead Of lofty as
sertlons, which is the creation of
an inventive genius which ruled the
nominations of Republican conven.
tons for fifteen years. But, like
0thello, his occupation was gone
when they adopted the primary
system. This is no idle assertion
which Chairman Dawson can deny.
het us take Retrospective view of
the convention and primary. Up
to lSSS, when the primary system
of selecting candidates was adopted,
it may be said, without fear o. sue
cessful contradiction, that It was
utterly impossible for man to re-
ccive nomination in n Republican
convention unless he WIS mem Der
OF the Ring in good standing or II
special friend Of Chairman Dawson.
llis word was law. But since the
adoption of the primary system
how different! The convention had
become so odious 10 the better ele-
ment of tho party, those who be-
lievcd all men born free and equal
that tAev compelled the Ring TO
give them the primary in 1898. If
there is any evidence needed TO
prove that the primary is the ex-
preston of the Pc0pic and the con-
yention is controlled by the Bosses
and hcpchm,ea, we have only to re-
fer TO the primary and convention
OF 1888. At the primary election
Daniel II. Jackson was the choice
of the people. receiving the largest
number OF votes cast for any one
candidate. But this primary was
followed by = c0RUeRti0D, winch pro.
cecdcd to nominate the candidates
according to tho good old style
which recognized but one voice.
and that the voice OF the Boss
MIR. Eugene Lanham had been
promised the nomination by the
Boss, but the People turned him
down and gave it to Dar Jackson
IN the primary. 1t was the Boss =
turn now to do little turning in
his convention, so he tnrned both
the People and Dan Jackson down
and "nominated" Eugene Ianbam.
So the good work went on, and it
came to pass thIt Dan Jackson ap-
pcaled to the People onco more TO
say who they wanted for Sheriff,
Dan Jackson or Eugene Lanham,
and the response was ovcrwhelm-
ingly and emphatic, DAN JACKSON !
This was the contest which proved
tie death blow to Jossigm and b0ss.
riddeA c0nU9ntiOHs. But the Old
Boss has never surrendered, aud he
longs to return TO the convention.
But this is not all the evidence
at our command to prove that the
primary is the only medium by
which the people can express their
choice Of candidates. Is there q
man in Preston county to-day who
will undertake to say that leroy
Shaw would be Sheriff OF Preston
county to-day il IT we're not fdr The
primary system OF selecting candi-
dates; Certainly not Did not
Chairman Dlwson say That LEROY
Shaw shall never hold office so long
rs ctn WELD pen ?' Mud IL is
curiou5 TACT That Mr.. Shaw could
not rccciyo a nomination for Office
go long ns tho convention system
was in togue. Had Chairman Daw-
SON said, "I.oroy Shaw shall never
hold office go long az I am permit
ted 10 nominate Candidates by con.
ventiohs," II would Iaso been per.
fcctlg safe TO gamDlc on the docla-
ration. But'just as soon as tho
primary System was adopted Leroy
Shaw began to hold onicc. Chair
man Dawson could control The cou-
7ertiou, but he was sent to the
roar with a black eye whcn he
tackled old PRIMARY
There is another thing which tbe