The age-herald., 1898-02-02
Robert H. Thach

"I think that the wisest plan that can be adopted by the county executive commit tee," said MT. Thach, lis the plan that has already been suggested so often, primary for county officers and a conven- tion for the legislative candidates It will simplify matters a great deal, much more so than convention straight or a straight out primary It is of utmost importance that the bimetallists of this county should select legislative ticket of six unques- toned bimetallists that are worthy to rep resent the people in Montgomery. I believe that the plan suggested is the only plan by which six such legislators can be se- lected.
 q don't think there Is any question but that those taking this view of the situation will win, as from all I can hear they are largely in the majority and then the op- ponents to this plan are themselves di- vided, half of them wanting a convention and the other half a primary for the se lection of all candidates, both county and state"
 Edward Leslies Views
 Mir. Leslie was more pronounced: q am in favor of a conven tion for the selection Ol every CdHufu<hlt u Dc NOteQ On Dy tuc people of Jefferson county" said he. "This is a little out of the ordinary, and is not according ito the precedents established by the democratic panty, but the welfare of the party at this critical test demands it. Every candidate selected should be an un- qualified Is to free coiner. One who will work for tine cause of bi-rnetalLsm and not one who votes the free coinage ticket sim
 
 above plan is adopted, few gold men are sure to get in by one means or another, { and they ought to be shut out entirely. A convention is the most effective way to do thds
 For four years I worked heart and soul against the democratic party in the ranks of the popul.sts, simply because the demo- crats were during that time espousng the cause of monometalism. I was working for the cause of free coinage and other reforms advanced by the peoples party. But after these reforms were embodied in the Chcago platform of the democratic party I saw there was no use in two fac tdous fighting for the same cause, so I re- entered the democratic ranks. This is the cause of my anxiety that no gold men be elected to fill amy office in the party
 ."There Is no Longer any cause Ior eHe existence Of the peoples party. They have returned to the democratic ranks by the thousands, and I don't believe they will poll 2,500 votes in tflds county"
 Chairman John T. SIugart
 .Jt depends to great extent upon the course adopted by the democratic execu- tive committee of this county said MT. Shugart in reply to the inquiry of an Age Herald reporter as to what plans would be adopted by the peoples party of Jef- ferson county. If the democrats have convention for the nomination either of part or of a whole, the gold men are req sonably sure to get at the head of 1t and run in number of their men, If they are nominated by primary, the people are sure to nominate a solid silver delegation. 'TThe action of the peoples party in put ting out a legislative ticket depends in a great degree on which of these two courses the democrats pursue. We shall very probably have out candidates for the county offices, but am positive that we shall have no judicial candidates in the field"