Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-02-02

waco-The following are extracts
from an interview with Hon. Waller S.
Baker, eX-chairman OF the state Dem
ocratic executive committee:
",The committoe of which the Hon.
James G. Dudley Is chairman in the
absence of special instructions from
the elective power Is supreme In all
matters affecting the interests OF the
party before the convention meets.
This includes the right to call con-
vantlon or conventions, and at such
time and place as will best subservc the
interest OF the masses of the party.
and the fact that the practice has been
to call two conventions Ia no reason
for Its continuance. This practice grew
out OF necessity When adopted Texas
was Il wilderness and there were no
means OF conveyance by which the
state could be canvassel for state NOM
nations before the meeting OF the ma
tlonal convention, hence two conven-
tons. The reason of the practice no
longer exists, and ought to have been
abandoned long ago IL for no other
reason, too much politlcs'-the curse
Of our people. This is matter of de-
tall, question of practice. not OF prln-
clple. and comes wlthis the Jurisdiction
of the state committee.
Our declaration upon national Is
sues and the election OF delegates to the
bAlipHLl convention II u participation
that binds us. rs much so as Democrats
who help make their state platform
are bound thereby and the nominees
of our stnte convention would accent
their nomination with the implied I'M
Outstanding Of aGqulescence in the ma
tional platform; and II Is not meant by
'acqulescenco' that individuals are re-
quired TO surrender their Individuality
or change their way OF thinking upon
this thnt nftngttnn L.,
smite the conscience or humlllate the
Individual; they may renew their fight
ut any time to enEraft their Views
upon the succeeding platform. The
real vice consists in cpntrnveninc or
opposing by adverse legislation the VIII
~ majority as expressed In the
platform.
THE committee knows, md all the
people know. that one state conven-
ton would be representative, and that
the result thereof ought to be Batisfac-
tory.
The committee knows, and the neopIe
know, that the first convention usually
called to pass upon federal questions
unu eject delegates to the national con-
Vehtlon never was representative. The
last one was conveniently entertained
by Lampasas. and hardly presented the
appearance OF Jealous county conven-
ton These federal conventions arc
mere side shows In Texas Tbev
dont draw like the state nominating
convention. They are usually called
peiorc the people become warmed i'm,
IN politics and at time whom they
are busiest In the fields, and besides
iudny or them are too poor to attend
TWO conventions and ali desire to nj
tehu their state nominating conven-
,uotl' Unless this wrong is remedIad
py holding one convention history will
rene,t hself and Won will wltnesa the
usual activity Of minorltles in tho co,,n.
yes ana a convention OF Delegates from
the cities and towns Cwho ronnnt 10
regardless Of the time ~
the cam declaring the policy OF Texaa
upoh Federal issues and sendInp doias
gates OF their own faith 10 Vote tbaIr
Views and interest. '''e'
fhc committee Will be held rnsnon,-
me Tor party results. and shouId ndant
,he policy best calcium ted to win 90
Iuns hS II does not clash with n,ir,
clpiei nut II In their effort 10 hold on
70 those who threaten to desert ,n,ess
swo conventions are called (Which Il,
a" 100 'oN desertlon) Is II NOT be,.ar
70 FISK their desertlon (Which I holInv,
~ a tnreap than to call two convan-
IONS al the risk Of SNAP Judgment, IL
tav9r OF tho minority and therein
swell the ranks Of the PopulIstss
~ ~ nNngornus to risk anythIng h,,,
one great, grand, Representative con-
,ne"siSh, mat the voice of Texns n,ay
pe honestly spoken. It is NOT songht
edv9 nfaVe. hut In avoid on "a
vantage. Democracy will moi ,oss d h,,
the change" O' ioss ny