The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-01

| the choice of the people is the best
method of nominating candidates.
| The most perfect method yet devised
| is the system of registered primaries.
| That system has probably been more
nearly perfected in Mecl<lenburg than
| in any other county in the State, and
an explanation of its workings will
be of interest.
THE MECkLENBURG SYSTEM.
The county executive committee at
its regular meeting issues a call for
the primaries and the county conven-
tion. and sets forth in full the regula-
tions governing the primaries. The
regulations adopted this year provid
ed that every qualified white voter
who would abide by the result, should
be entitled to vote in the primary.
| Only white voters are admitted. Reg
| ular polling places are selected and
| advertised, and poll holders and
| Judges appointed as for an election.
| These serve without pay, for the good
| of the party. The primaries are held
| earlier in the day in the country pre-
| cincts. allowing the farmers to get
| home before dark and in the towns
| are held from p. IN. to 8 p. 10. in
| order to allow all the clerks and la
! borers to vote without interfering
| with their business. The vote is by
| ballot as in regular elections. the bal
| lots are deposited in regulation boxes,
| are counted and the results certified
| in the usual manner. Since the eX-
| clusion of negroes from the Mecklen-
burg primary it has proved the ideal
| method of making nomination. The
! various candidates who enter the con-
4 test, are bound to abide by the result.
| and this gives unanimity of action in
! the campaign which could hardly be
| secured in any other way. No fraud
in the primaries has been reported,
and the result has not vet been dis
| puted. The candidates nominated
| have not only been popular men, but
men of the highest character and
| standing in the community. If a
| man of bad character or man whose
| opinions were opposed to the inter-
ests of the people were put up for
| nomination he would be beaten over
| whelmingly.
| Not only are all the county candi-
! dates nominated by the primary in
! Mecklenburg, but the voters register
| their choice for State officers. Con-
| gresham, judge and solicitor. Furth-
/ ernore. the people control the party
| organization. Each precinct elects
| its own executive committee. its own
| member of the county committee and
| its delegates TO all the conventions.
! IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE.
| 1t will be seen that in NecklenburI
| county. the Democratic party has
| been put in the hands of the people.
| That is the kind of popular govern
ment that counts. The man who OPP
| poses this plan, and does not present
| a better one, acknowledges that he is
afraid of the people; and who shall
say in this day that he fears the rule
of the people?
TINE FOR ITS ADOPTION.
The period of political change mark
ed by the adoption of the Constitu-
tional Amendment appears to be the
| proper time for the general adoption
of this excellent and Democratic sys-
TEN. When the Amendment is adopt
ed it will reduce the negro vote so
that the Republican party cannot
1 hope TO receive majority of the votes
OF the State for many years to come
The Populist party has already dwin-
! died until it is but fraction of its
| former self, and seems to be approach
ing the vanishing point. Unless there
| is a great political upheaval in this
State, the Democratic party will have
| an unbrOllen lease on power for many
years to come. And that party vii!
actually govern the State.
Then, is not this the proper time to
insure a pure and popular State gov
ernment by putting the party in the
hands of the people? The party is to-
day free from bossism. and this is not
| meant as a reflection on The present
party leaders. But the best of men
have become tyrants through the ex-
erclse OF too great power; and it is
easier to prevent the formation of a
strong political machine than to crush
it in its might.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
The only thing that can now poss-
bly, remove the Democratic party from
power is desertion of the peopic. on
an abuse Of power. This is only possi-
bic where the people are denied a
! voice in the selection of candidates
and the formation of party policies.
Are you afraid of our gallant party
leaders," asked the opponents cf the
| primary.
Are you and your leaders afraid OF
the people?" | reply.
1t is no more a reflection ON tho
party leaders for the people to ask a
voice in the choice of party eandi-
dates than it is for them to hok the
privilege of casting their own votes
After the Amendment is adopted
a nomination will be equiyalent to m
election; and it is therefore impc, =
tant that the people shall be allowed
to make the nominations. It is IA
time which imperatively demands the
extension of the primary systems.
This would not be in the intercst of
any candidate or against any cau:i,.
date: simply in the interest of tn.
great masses who compose the Demo
cratic party.
4 PECULIAR STU ALTON.
At the present time peculiar state
of affairs is presented. The Leglsla-
ture which is to be elected in AUGUST
| is 10 choose the successor of Mr.. Ma
| rion Butler in the United States Sen
| ate. This is the highest office in the
! gift of the State. and several of our
/ ab1est and most honorable men are