Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-09-16
Our Primary Election System.

Mr.. Editor: The propriety Of change
ofthe Democraticprimary system of naming
candidates is being agitated, and full power
to deal with the question as will best sub
serve the interests of the party has been
given to the convention which convenes al
Rockville on the 9th instant to name dele
ga1es to the Democratic Congressional con-
Vention.
This is a matter of more than ordinary
import and should be we'll considered and
dlgested before any stepis taken in the way
OF change. | assume that this action OF
our county committee in calling it to the
attention of the convention is not because
OF any recognized opposition to the present
system, but is rather intended as an invita-
ton for the people to consider the same and
as an appeal for calm consideration for
the amelioration of those supposed evils
which have brought it into disfavor with
some of its original supporters.
The fact that there is no recognized move
ment In favor of new and different method
of naming our candidates is the strongest
argument that there exists no necessity for
change. The reasons are obvious, il there
is cause or necessity for it, there would be
an uprising of the people in its behalf
This is not 80 however. On the contrary
the people regard 1t as the fairest and best
method of obtaining an expression Of pop
ular sentiment in the selection of candi-
dates for positions of public trust. Under
1t the people have been educated to realize
that all power and patronage are lodged In
them-that they are the fountain heads from
which the stream hows-and to depart from
this line of action would be a ruthless vio-
lation of Democratic policy and acknowl-
edgment of error, where error does not ex.
list, and an evidence of weakness to the en-
envy who are approaching our lines from the
highways and byways.
The county is eminently Democratic-the
Democratic voters are loyal TO their politi-
cal taith-and 1t was never more pronounced
than at this time. Our party IN the county
has encountered obstacles, but its resistless
energy and unialtering loyalty have swept
them aside. 1t has been confronted by many
and serious barriers without and within,
but its high sense of honor and patriotic
duty have enabled 1t to dash them TO atoms,
and to-day 1t occupies the vantage ground
flushed with hope and confident Of triumph.
The question now arises, shall we adhere TO
the existing favorable and healthy status of
the party, or for any imaginary wrong fly
to "those evils we know not Of" thereby en-
gendering dscord IN our ranks to an extent
that would be utterly ruinous.
There Is an open and pronounced opposi-
ton to any change of our present system,
and with no capitalization OF sentiment in
favor of a new system, It would simply be
suicidal TO make any departure from Gus.
tom 80 firmly grounded in the affections Of
the people, and which heretofore has been
so satisfactory to them. The people, the
rank and file of our party, have been taught
that it is their right to have voice in nom,
nations as well as voice at the polls
They have been trained To believe that II is
their sacred privilege, and they will not
brook any dminution of it. 1t is an ac-
knowledged fact that our opponents are well
organized and disciplined, and under the
agreeable control of shrewd and experienced
generals-that every movement we make on
the political chessboard is carefully watched.
Every change contemplated or made-every
declaration enunclated in our line of con
duct is criticized, and every error is turned
to their advantage.
Said distinguished American citizen, 10
the purest and best days of Democracy
"You may make me Governor OF the great
Common wealth of Virginia, but you cannot
make me a candidate for nomination before
a convention which does not honestly 70
fleet the sentiment of all the people, fully,
fairly and publicly expressed. This sent
ment should find Judgment in every Dem
ocratic heart--it should be voiced in every
section of our good old Democratic county.
Moved by reflections OF such a character, If
we come to consider modification of our
present primary system, il will be well to
remember that it came from the people
that 1t emanated from the fountain whence
flows the motive power to success. Any
proposition to change, alter or abridge IT,
should be submitted in the same way and
manner In which they could either approve
or reject II, and no more favorable or appro-
PIRATE occasion could be had than at gen
eral primary election, and not be left TO a
congregation of a few individuals. This
would remove all criticism and avoid all
personal entanglements that may possibly
arise from any precipitate action. Let US
bear In mind that there must be no wanton
breakage OF the tradition and regularly CO
tablished custom of the party.
Twenty and odd years since the Demo-
cratic party in this county awakened 10 the
absolute necessity of radical change in
their system OF naming candidates for office,
and II was accomplished by an untram
meled expression at the ballot box. Since
its adoption it has developed in power and
has augmented in popular favor until II has
become the honor and cherished article OF
Democrats in their party creed, and is the
brightest ornament upon their political altar.
II will be well TO remember that when
such power IS given 10 the people they be-
come not only cautious but jealous of it.
Once undertake by revolution or strate
gic means 10 wrench that power from their
hands without some well recognized and
we'll grounded cause, and as sure as the sun
shines you will inaugurate an unpleasant
and popular indignation that will weaken
and finally dismember and destroy the very
organization you seek to make more effec
tive. The history and philosophy of the
world has demonstrated the truth Of this
proposition.
To disturb or alter our present primary
sy stem at this unpropitious time by new
methods without the appreciation OF the
rank and file Of the party fully and freely
expressed may create new issues at our next
general election and possibly result in defeat
and disaster. Let US avoid any such posi-
Bile compl LEGATIONS. These suggestions are
made 10 my fellow democrats in the inter.
est of peace and harmony and from desire
10 see upheld aud perpetuated the supremacy
Of our party ia the county.
ALEI. KnGoUR.
Rockville, Md, Sept. IL, 1898.