The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-30
ANOTHER view OF IT.
The Question Of the Party Test In
the Coming Primaries.
WA ~ hathfe Eonfarprisp ~

| The Question Of the Party Test In
the Coming Primaries.
waxahachic Enterprise.
Chairman Blake has called meeting Of
the State democratic executive committee
for February % at Dallas. Doubtless the
most important question to come before
that body for decision Is the test requisite
to participation In the primaries. Broadly
| speaking 1t would appear that any one
presenting himself in good faith, pleiaing
himself TO support the nominees and abide
the action of the convention. should be adj
united, but the experience of the past six
years has convinced the Enterprise fha.
this practice is not conducive 10 strength
nor thorough and harmonious organization
The opening wide OF the primaries has re-
suited In no goou but OH the uther hand
has built up a sentiment .tmoag not II lew
that party pledge is binding only 50 long
as the nominee ana platform conform to
| the ddsas or preferences OF tho participant.
In 1892 the broad test was applied with
the result that the defeated clennnt set
up party OF their own Making No small
sacrifice IN 1891, this element was read
| inittcd TO The primaries, and many knitted
| tho nominee at the November election. In
| 1886 many refused to support the nominees,
while others remained cut OF the primaries
| for the express purpose OF being free
from party ties. 1t would thon appear that
| to admit these would DO TO invite within
| the party councils an element of extreme,
weakness, one which could be little depend
| ed on in the final contest, In addition TO
placing premium on party disloyalty and
not infrequently party treachery. There
should, in the opinion Of this paper, DO a
| strict test allowing no one to participate
u m I'm,
straight democratic ticket, headed by Bry-
| an and Culberson. In 1895 and who raftises
| To pledge allegiance To the party In 1898.
There can be no injustice in this to any.
| On the contrary, il is fnanifestly just Just
TO those who believed In issues upon which
the last campaign was ioaght-iust to
those who, ssurrendering personal conSio-
ton TO the superior wisdom III the majority,
chose to abide party action. 1: can not he
unjust to those who failed or refused 10
vote for Bryan and Cuberson. IL they
voted against the nominees because W
Platform expressions they are reminded
that the platform is unchllgei; and hold
ing the game convictions still, they would
not wish'to participate In free silver rri-
mary. II they have changed their views,
accepted the Chicago platform or 3ccofne
convinced that Organism Is preferable 10
Hannn!sm, they can undoubtedly trust de
making OF the platform and the candidates
them in 1896. AS a matter of fact. those
democrats who, since the election in 1876,
have accepted the Chicago platform or re-
turned to the party In good faith are max
| ing no objection to this test, IL ib those
who have not accepted or retIflsd that nrc
clamorlng for admission aud for the pur-
pose of endeayOring to toist their views
upon the party and change It's policies. The
Enterprise can not believe that the ',lncr-
Buclner- Mckinley democrats OF lS96 have
any rights in democratic primary superior
10 those OF a republican or a popuiist, They
went away Of their own accord, holding
that they could not, without qualification.
vote for Bryan ard until they have given
evidence OF hereafter abiding the action OF
the majority by voting for democratic nom
inees they should be denied participation
in party primaries and conventions. Inc
experience of the party in Texas Win these
boilers has been such that some such ac-
ton becomes political necessity. 1t has
been urged that this course would prohibit
from participation in the selection Of coun-
~ officers good men, vitality Interested IN
the county's welfare This Is doubtless
true, but there are many good republicans
and populists, excellent citizens and large
taxpayers, who on the same groupus woulu
he eligible II the democracy is to be re-
sponsible for the conduct Of the county Of
ficials. can there be reasonable objection
to democrats only participating in their
selcction7 It Is question of politics, not
of citizenship.
Viewed from any standpoint, 1t appears
a correct and proper test TO apply. one
which viii unity and strengthen the party
and increase its usefulness, one that VIII
amply equally and operate equally upon MI
The Enterprise agrees most heartily win
tie apparent prevailing continent that no
one should he allowed participation In the
snnnort the democratic ticket headed by
Bryan and Culbeison In 1885.