The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-04-14
Ohio county Republican Primarlss.


In It's desire to please the numerous
candidates for the local nominations
the Republican committee Of Ohio
county ordered that the nominations
should be made at popular primary cleo
ton. The practice has been to nomi-
nate in convention. There was no gem
eral demand in the party for the new de-
parture. But the candidates wanted 1t
and they got what they wanted.
The candidates were making things
SO lively that there was general sem
timent in the party for an early pri-
mary, so that the contest within the
party might be brought to speedy
Termination. The candidates objected
to tbls and again they had their way.
The primary system seems to be the
fairest. Certainly 1t is fair to every
candidate, but 1t is not the safest for a
party. A well-balanced ticket may
come out Of such grabbing, but that
would be more the result OF good luck
than OF good judgment
The contest began too soon. 1t should
have been over before this. Everybody
who has given any attention to the
matter. or who has had 1t forced upon
his notice. is convinced that every day
the contest lasts Is an additional in
jury to the Republican party in Ohio
county.
The character of this preliminary has
made it a public scandal. 1t goes on
day and night, not excepting Sunday.
It Is a pity that the committee did not
cut It short, no matter what candidates
wanted. Candidates have no special
rights. Their sole right is to fair treat
ment. The party has the highest right,
and 1t has the right to fair treatment.
The few who are candidates. have no
rights above the many who are not can
didates
The candidates want their way to the
last. They now ask the county COM
mittee to order that at the primary cleo
ton the tickets be given out by the
judges only and In the place where the
election Is being held and when the
voter goes to vote; also that the sixty
foot limit be observed, as at regular
election.
The desire OF the party is to get out the
largest possible vote. To do this it
must look to the ease with which the
ticket may be prepared and the rapIdity
with which voters may deposit their
ballots. There are many party men
who win vote at primary II they may
do 80 quickly and go about their BUSH
ness. II the process be made difficult or
slow they viii have nothing to do
with it
After all that has gone on the least
that the county committee can do now
Is to do all It can to bring out large
vote-the larger the better. This will
not be done by adopting the Australian
system or a near approach to it.
Tie old-faahloned way leaves the
tickets outside and gives voters chance
to prepare them or to have them pre-
pared before entering the polling place.
keeps up the interest to the last and
gives the party as well as the candidates
a fair chance.
Thus far the county committee, with
the. very best intentions and with de-
sire to preserve the peace, has deferred
to the candidates. 1t h not too soon to
begin to look more to the interests Of
the party.
The county committee Ia the creature
Of the party. not Of the candidates
whatevet is best for Gae party the COM
mittee should do. on this ground it
should stand as firm as rock, not per-
hitting itself to be moved by any ap-
peal from candidates.