The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-21
THAT TEST.
La Grange Journal.


| La Grange Journal.
Our esteemed contemporary. the "schu-
lenburg Sticker' in last weeks issue.
after intmating that the State committee
might have adopted the test in the In
| terest of some one candidate uses the fol-
lowing language: AT any rate the word
ing of the test adopted at Dallas whereby
1T was sought TO make it appear mandatory
when the State committee had no right by
precedent or otherwise to compel the coun-
ty committees TO adopt it," etc
Upon the question of the right of the
State committee to adopt such test, we
think no unbiased investigator viii differ
If he Will only make thorough investiga
ton. OF course to enforce it in the sense
of Judgment is impossible, because all
political organization is voluntary. But
should there be contests in the various
counties over this question as there was
in 1890 and majority in the State con-
vention should sustain the State commit
tee no one would doubt the right OF such Il
convention as the regular democratic con-
vention And In this sense the test is
mandatory. That the committee is invest
ed with such powers we think must fol-
low in order to maintain party organza-
ton. This country is controlled by par
ties, and such organizations are presumed
to be composed of voters who are volun-
tarily associated together for specific pur-
poses such purposes being expressed in
their openly declared objects usually
termed platforms. Now if there is TO be
no test, or what is equivalent to none; II
there are TO be az many tests as there are
local organizations. will there be unity OF
m In hnIt tt,t- o,,t-g .11
not faction and discord be promoted By
such discordant clements in attempting TO
act together?
This was the view taken by the writer
who was n member of the committee and
being firmly convinced OF the correctness
of both the State and National platforms
of the democratic party. he believed then
and still stands by that belief that only
those who voted for or refused TO vote
against the leading candidates OF that
party at the last general election should
be permitted TO make up the policies upon
which the next campaign is TO be fought.
Under the other view men believing In re-
publican doctrines can come into demo-
cratic primaries and make n republican
party ont of 1t. or course this is the ex-
treme view, but it is given to Illustrate
the rule. How many members of the den-
ocratic conventions OF 1896 voted for Nc
Kinley? Were they honest when they
came into the democratic convention and |
bound Themselves to abide by the action |
OF the majority? Are promises in tho fu- |
fure to be considered as worth more than |
those OF the past? But now as to prece-
dent. We have recollection that the |
famous Finley test of 1890 created oulrr
a breeze. and again in 1894 no one was !
permitted TO participate who had not
voted for the Cleveland electors In 1895.
The governor was specially left of be-
nf ttn fr ~
and clark Now how Is 1t wrong In 1858
to do what we have done before? We're
the men who voted for Cleveland In 1900 |
entitled 10 any more protection than those
who voted for Bryan in 1896?
II any favors should be shown II ought
TO be to the latter, for many democrats
voted for BRYAN who did moi belieya IN Sis
platform. Personally honor them and
think they are the highest order OF marty
nen. sacrificing their individual views IN
obedience to the demand of their marry.
NOW IN So far as our good brother in
Inmates that a majority OF tho committee
were induced to do What they did. from
SINISTER motives. we are extremely sorry
10 note such q disposition npnn his nar,
This is question OF great importanes In
me management Of parties. Our friend
iceth may not think so, but that d,os rot
'etile II. II this country Is run nv narti,.
ma no one Will deny this. then il Il iust
- essential mat your primaries should N,
purified as that your elections should ~
md party whose prlmarIes are so ori
san'Ted That they can be turned over n
either party ffpolltloap as suits the vi.,ys
y wishes of local candidates. can moi he
Finctured with political fraud.
Upon question OF this Importance n ..
indeed . sah commentary upon the pross.,
'arusan organiSatlon that demoorats c,n
'pt diner without impugpinr Inc n,o,ir,a
y their Opponents. For ,hnsa ,rhe a.ss-
YIN n,e nron this question en,ertain itbs
'iehest rfsnect ami shall not hplgeva nntt,
hay furnish ,inrristHssbic eyidenra h ,h,t
hey are actuated by any but the bsS, sna
unrest OF motlres--ihe welfare az fla Sa,. 49,
cratic party. VIII the day never ,a 49,
'hen your opponent Is inst as sooa as
'oiiy Are we all Phsrisecs? Ia .he r,,.,
col philosophy Of the future 10 he ..s sym
'onest man that Is AGAINST Il, Is . rases,
VERY rascal that IS for us Il an honsa; I
nang' We believe not. and So be, n,cassl
70 are FOR houertv, truth arfi forhsarans
!. ,n,sl'tics, as well as in the o,her afrairs
"'' W, s. Robson. /
shipn'p~ ve~rtrhi.x yox
Corpus Christi. Texas. March On ~