The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-05-15
NO WARD PRIMARIES

The proposition that Is on foot and
that will make its formal appearance to-
morrow at the meeting of the Dem
ocratic county central committee,
to hold ward instead Of pre-
cinct primaries in Los Angeles city
for the election Of delegates to the COM
ing county convention. which will have
the selection Of delegates to the Demo-
cratic state convention to assemble in
Sacramento, June 18th, is entitled to
prompt and emphatic defeat.
There are no good reasons why ward
instead Of precinct primaries should be
held. There are numerous invulnera-
BILE reasons why the committee should
adhere to the precinct and turn down
the ward plan.
The precinct plan is essentially the
most Democratic. It Is closest to the peo-
pie. In the degree that representation
is localized the will of the masses finds
oportunity for expression. The dele
gates that are elected by precincts in
Los Angeles will more nearly reflect the
sentiment of the entire Democracy of
the city than the delegates that are
elected by wards. The doctrines and
traditions of the Democratic party are
in favor Of the smallest political sub
divisions consistent with considerations
Of convenience. The precinct primary
appeals to the interest Of the individual
Democrat as the ward primary cannot,
because the former Is less remote than
the latter. He can vote more intellI-
gently. with more expediency and less
Inconvenience at the precinct than at
the ward. It is not only possible but al
gether probable that the average Dem
ocratic voter will know every man who
is voted for as a delegate from his pre-
cinct. but while It is not impossible 1t
is altogether improbable that the same
Democratic voter will know more than
small minority Of the candidates voted
for when the election is by wards The
precinct plan has always been popular
with the masses, the ward plan has al
ways been the resort of the bosses.
The suggestion of the ward plan for
the coming Democratic primaries is in
spired by no desire to conserve the inter-
ests and honor Of the Democratic party.
The Herald speaks advisedly when it
says this. 1t is not ignorant of the mo-
tives which actuate the men who are
promoting the ward primary project and
It proposes to sound note of warning
to the honest and sincere Democrats of
Los Angeles county to protest against
the county committee taking the action
that Is to be asked Of them tomorrow.
The ward primary plan is part, most
essential part Of the scheme that has
been maturing for long while to deliver
the Democracy of the sixth congressional
district bound hand and foot at the steps
of the Southern Pacific throne. The
game Is to- elect as delegates to the diff
ferent county conventions OF this coun-
gressional district men who will send to
the state convention and the district con-
vention delegates as subordinate to the
wishes of the most INSCRIPTIONS monop-
oily that ever blighted the prosperity of
state, as those that made up the corre-
spending Republican conventions, and
the ward primary is one of the details
Of the game. 1t is easier for the bosses
who have undertaken the railroad job
to carry ward primaries than precinct
primaries. a full vote of the Democratic
electors will not be polled with the ward
system for the reasons already suggest
ed, and men unknown to the majority
of the Democrats of ward can be rushed
through by the consolidation and skill
full handling of the Democratic push"
ably assisted with reinforcements from
the Republican push"
If the Democrats OF Los Angeles coun-
ty do not desire to see their party or
ganization pressed into the service of
the Southern Pacific Of Kentucky they
will turn out at tomorrow's committee
meeting with pressure that will prevent
| the contamination of the machinem made