The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1898-01-21
COUNTY POLITICS.

One of the County Democratic
Executive Committee, signing HIM
self Committeeman" in an article
in this issue throws some light upon
the "no-primary" plan. We are
glad the light Is beginning to break,
and we hope between now and the
August election to furnish the peo-
pie with all the inside history of this
interesting little story. Our cores
pondent says, plainly and unequivo-
cally that the committee was pack
ed" by and for the supposed inter-
est of certain candidates. He says
that it was packed two years ago,
for the purpose of defeating the
resolution to prohibit the use OF
money, whiskey, and other corrupt
ing influences in the primaries; and,
our correspondent says, this is the
cause of the widespread dissatis-
faction" among the Democrats with
the primary plan. He further says
that the HERALD knows of this
widespread Dissatisfaction" but
ignores it. If we have ignored it,
it was unintentional. What we
have tried to emphasize is that the
return to the, free-for-all Doodle
elections was more Objectionable to
the Democrats of the county, and
the good people generally, than
even the packed" primaries them
selves. In other words, that the
remedy was worse than the disease.
Our correspondents suggestion
that the committee be reorganized is
impracticable. They received their
trust direct from the people, and
however much they have misused
it, we know of no power or authority
that can reorganize or discipline
them between now and the August
election. In lieu of correspond
ent's suggestion, we would suggest
this. That he request the Chair
man, Maj. Williamson, to call the
committee together again, and give
them chance to reverse them
selves. Several of them, we are in
formed, would be glad of the chance.
How many of them at that time
were, like our correspondent, indif-
ferent, and being absent were voted
by some obliging friend, we know
not; possibly enough to rev erse the
decision. Besides, since then they
have heard from the people, and the
people, unquestionably, are opposed
to this ruling. That should have and
doubtless has changed some of the
members. tbs not improbable there
fore that if the committee should be
called together again, they would
make different ruling. And il they
should call either primary or con-
vention, and throw around the nomi-
nation restrictions forbidding the
use of money or whiskey, and MAX
ing the penalty forfeiture of the
nomination, then the wide spread
dissatisfaction" would quickly dis
appear, and the Democratic nomi-
nation would be-as it used to be in
Maury-equivalent to an election.
~S$
DURING Mr.. Cleveland's first ad
ministration, Miss Bayard, daugh-
ter of the then Secretary of State,
committed suicide by shooting her.
self through the heart, Immediately
after brilliant reception in her
fathers home, given to the diplo-
matte corps. Miss Garland, daugh-
ter of the then Attorney General,
in like manner killed herself few
years later, and Miss Herbert daugh-
ter ofthe Secretary of the Navy, re-
Gently threw herself from third
story window. This week Mrs.
Lane, daughter Of ex-senator Black
burn, stood in front Of her mirror in
her dressing room, and shot herself
Whata sad commentary all this is
.,non tha fast life led nv tho forb