The age-herald., 1898-03-05
A CONVENTION , WILL BE CALLED To Select Legislative Candidates From
 Jefferson. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mil Meet at the Court House at NOOn
 Today TO REVERSE ITS FORMER ACT Some Sparring is Predicted, But All Signs Point to Call For a Convention
 The Populists Will
 Meet Today
TO REVERSE ITS FORMER ACT

The democratic executive committee of Jefferson county meets today.
 The meeting is called for the purpose of providing a manner for the selection of legislative candidates from Jefferson coun- ty.
 It is probable that the former act of this committee providing for the selection of these candidates in county primary wll be rescinded and county convention wi l be called for the purpose of selecting six democratic candidates to represent Jeffer- son county in the next legislature.
 The movement to select legislative can ddates by a convention seems to be the result of a compromise between the op- posing factions within the democratic par ty.
 It was feared by certain democratic lead CTS that such combinations might be made between candidates for other offices and candidates for the legislature as to lead to the selection of weak men for Jeffer- sons representatives During the past week there have been repeated conferences between the leading members of the party, looking toward removing the legislative contest from other contests. The governor himself. who is resident of this county, has taken an active interest in the matter, believing as he does, that Jefferson county should send a strong delegation to the next legislature and be represented in mental strength on equality with its commercial and industrial importance.
 There May Be some sparring
 It is possible that there may be some sparring and a bit of fighting in the meet ing of the executive committee at noon to- day But all indications point to a reversal of its former action and the calling of a convention.
 It is understood that most of the gold men, as well as the silver men, have agreed that this is no time for int erna warfare-that it is important for Jefferson county to send a strong delega- ton to the legislature. The gold men have agreed that they will support straight ont Chicago platform silver men, provided that the men selected are the best from among their party. In speaking about the matter yesterday one of the most promi- nent leaders in the county had this to say as to why the executive committee shou d reconsider its action and call a convention to nominate legislative candidates: My objections to the present plan,' said he, "are:
 | That 1t does not require a majority of all the votes cast to nominate.
 g. That one-third, or even a less num- Der, by concentrating their votes on six men, can nominate men who are distasteful to two-thirds.
 3. That all may be nominated from one profession or class, or locality.
 4. That it encourages the trading of votes for other offices
 5. That men may be chosen who would not be in accord with the demo- cratic party.
 .'On the other hand, a convention can give just and fair consideration to the claims of any class and locality and industry. It can instruct the nomi nees if it chooses, on the vital ques- tons now before the people, such as public schools and public roads.
 'There are doubtless several of the ablest and truest democrats in the county who might be induced to ac- cept a nomination from a convention who will not go into primary scram- ble. Jefferson county owes 1t to her self to have in the next house dele gation that will command the atten- ton and respect of the whole state; she has never gotten that in primary, and will not now, and consequently has never had the influence that her wealth and importance demands If a majority of the democrats in beat can not be trusted to select delegates to the county convention, who Will rep- resent their views, then they are tn- capable of making proper selection of candidates.
 'Members of the legislature should represent the political sentiments of a majority of the party in the county, and not of a minority. Two years ago in a straight race between two honored and capable citizens for senator and making the issue on the money ques- ton, naturally the silver man won by large majority; in the very same primary two-thirds of the members nominated to the house were gold men, and nominated by a minority vote The attempt is again made to deceive the people, but 1t can't be done twice hand-running.
 Those Engaged in Agriculture
 '"The chances are if the primary plan should prevail that, because the county beats, not being able to confer, and the city democrats being better acquainted with candidates from their own locality, all the nominees would be from the city and there would be no representation on the ticket of the thousands engaged in agriculture and other industrial pursuits.
 ''The committee should reconsider by all means and allow majority of the democrats in Jefferson to nomi- nate men who represent their political convictions and all of the great and varied interests of the county.
 The Populists' Convention
 The populists of this county will meet at the court house today after the demo- cratic executive committee has concluded its meeting. When the populistS have learned what the democrats have done, they will express themselves in resolutions and will decide whether not they will act with the democratic party or against it.
 The populists seem to be divided among themselves. Some of them want to act with the democratic party while others are opposed to it. No one knows just what will be the result, but the indications are that Jefferson county will send the strong est delegation to the next legislature that 1t ever had.