The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-06-08
NEW PLAN WILLSTAY
Democratic County Commit
tee Decides to Retain
the Open Primary
System.
P. Il. O'NEILL FOR CONVENTIONS
Although Hudson Has Good Guber-
Material Timber the Nomina-
tion Is Expected to Go
Elsewhere.
P. Il. O'NEILL FOR CONVENTIONS

The Democratic County Committee met
last night in Roche's Hall. Chairman
Erickson presided and William C. Burke
acted as secretary. The attendance was
unusually large for a midsummer meet
ing. Notices had been sent to all the
members informing them that an amend
ment to the constitution would probably
be presented and acted upon. The
amendment in question was to provide
for the abolition of the present system
of elect:ng candidates direct by ballot
and the return to the old system of
elect:ng delegates to conventions at
which candidates were to be named. The
subject was introduced by F. p. Budden,
Sr, a member of the Executive Com
llnittee.
THE executive committee" he began,
''has been considering the advisabiEty
OF returning to the old convention sys-
tenn for some time. The question has
been freely discussed by the members
but no conclusion has been arrived at.
We have called into consultation promi-
nent Democrats They have given US
their views but there is a division of
opinion. One-half insisted that the pres
ent system is all right and that it would
be hazardous to make the change, while
was better and that Democrats gener-
ally preferred it. We were unable to
agree upon what was best for the party
and have decided to submit the question
for disposition to the general committee"
HOBOKEN WANTS A CHANGE.
s',The Hoboken committeeman think a
change would be advisable" said NJ. ].
Coyle. ''They prefer the convention sys-
TEN, believing that it is fa:rer and per-
n;ts of less fraud. But this question
must be considered from all points.
Although the Hoboken committeeman
favor change they do not want to do
anything that will injure the partys IN
terests.
1--WE are approaching an important
campaign and to be victorious we must
be united. There must be no squabbling.
I have talked with influential Democrats
IN various parts of the county and they
are of tire opinion tfisrt
convention system ait this time will cause
dissatisfaction and probably result in the
cry being raised that the bosses are
again fastening themselves on the party
councils and directing nominations. The
Democratic party wants no boss. We
want something new. Our present sys-f
tenn of electing candidates is new and
should, 1 think :Ae gwen a further trial.
1 would move srat further action upon
the proposed change of system be indefi-
nitely postponed"
The motion was quickly seconded, and
would have been put only P. H. O'Neill
demanded the privilege of the floor.
P. 81 o'NEILL FAvORS CONVFN-
TTONS.
st want to do all l can to help the
~,
the new system, however. teaches me
that it is unfair and not a good one.
There are about 100000 voters in this
country. and about 10000 are located
here. and we are the only Democrats
that I know who are operating under
any such plan as ours. Where is there
any reward for earnest workers? Where
is there any provision to give man a
denomination? Under our old system
there was a reward for fidelity to the
harty, but now man may be can
d date and win an Office. but what as
SNyrance has he that he will be given
he denomination that as Democrats we
ealways considered him to be entitled
Hto?
1--WE worked for fifteen years very sue
cessfuly under the convention system.
Awe have tried this new plan. and what
bias been the result? There is something
wanting in the whole thing. Somebody
said it gives every one an equal chance.
We had an example of that only this
spring, when in one precinct more Demo-
cratic votes were cast for a candidate
than there are Democrats and Republi-
can voters combined in the district I
am in favor of anything that will help
the party, but I do not think our present
plan helps at ALL
Mr.. O'Neill did not understand, he said,
how Gubernatorial candidates would be
voted for direct for this fall A para
graph in the constitution was called to
his attention which says
eat all primary elections for the cleo
tion of County Committeeman, for the
nomination of candidates, or for the
elections of delegates to State and Con-
gressiona1 conventions only enrolled
Democrats are elected
Delegates are elected to all conven-
tions for the nomination of candidates
rev system is change locally only Mr.
Coyles motion to postpone action in
definitely was finally carried, and can
didates will be chosen this fall by d.
rect vote.
MR.. MuLvANEY RESIGNS.
Secretary John J. Mulvaney rendered
his resignation, explaining that his
health would not permit him to con-
tinue in the office 1t was accepted very
reluctantly A vote of thanks was given
him for the excellent work he did while
acting as Secretary. Henry Meyer, of
Hoboken. was elected his successor.
Michael J. Pagan. of this city. was his
opponent.
The newly elected members were com
PEELED to draw lots for the one and two
year terms. There was a lively squabble
over this business.
The following paragraph in the con-
stitution caused many disagreementss
and arguments
I'm case an odd number of members
from any district. the odd numbered
members shall serve until 1885,
Many of the members claimed to be
on the odd numbered list and wanted
the long term. The matter was finally
settled by everyone drawing his term
from a hat.
The charges against Arthur j. Phelan
Of the Fourth ward, Third district. Hobo
ken, was dismissed and Mr.. Phelan re
instated. The approaching Gubernatorial
campaign was not discussed The active
members seem to think that the noni-