Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-04-05

counties any voice in the arrange
mcnt of the time and place of meet
ing for their respective counties
Quite a number of pcople-and with
apparent good reason-think that
this article of tho party constitution
should be either entirely abrogatcd
or at least 80 amended as to give the
individual counties a voice in making
the schedule of the meetings. The
most potent reasons adduced in be-
half of such change or amendment in
the constitution of our party are
these:
First. The executive committees
of the several counties, knowing the
desire and the need of the people
IN their respective counties better
than is possible for the State Dcmocra-
TIC executive committee to know,
should have the privilege Of fixing a
time and a place for the State cam-
paign meetings of their respective
counties.
Second. Many of the meetings in
the last two campaigns were mere
farces. They were forced upon
communities at inopportune times
'nd at places whore no meetings were
desired. They should be avoided
in the future.
Third. 1t is impossible to run a
campaign of education on the old
plan. When all candidates are re-
quired to attend the meeting at a
certain time and place the great
number present to address the vot-
ers precludcs the idea of intelligent
discussion of grave public questions
in the brief space of five, ten or fif-
teen minutes allowed each speaker.
Fourth. The newspaper reports of
the various meetings are virtually
the same day after day, and are usu
ally but mere stcrcotypcd skeleton
OF skeleton argument, and in no
case sufficiently elaborate to express
clearly the views Of the speaker or
to cnlighten the hearcr. Therefore,
If the meetings are to be educational,
the will and the convenience of the
people must be consulted in appoint
ing the campaign meetings, so that
larger audiences will be attracted
and longer time given TO speakers.
Fifth. The proposed change in the
constitution would give each candi-
date the greatest possible latitude
and liberty in conducting his own
campaign and would give the res
pcctive counties the right to regulate
and direct their own political ap
pointments and to invite whomso
ever they desired to be present,
whenever and wherever the people
wished to hear them.
Sixth. Under the old plan meet
ing is scheduled for each county.
whether desired or not, and each
candidate must follow the procession
throughout the State regardless of
expense or convenience. The great
expense Of making the canvass of
the State will eventually shut out
poor man from running for State
Office, however worthy and compc-
tent he may be. This is one of the
strongest arguments for change.
Seventh. 1t is very desirable that
these matters should be brought to
the attention of the people for full
and free discussion before the May
Convention. The foregoing arc the
principal reasons, crudcly stated,
why change in the constitution ap-
pears to many as very desirable.
They do not touch upon the numcr-
ous minor points that might be ad-
duced.
shall be very glad to hear from
you relative of these points and to
any others that may suggest them
selves to you as pertinent to the
question either for or against the
proposed amendment to the consti
tuition.
What desire most and what |
believe the public desires is that
from free and full discussion of the
matter plan may be evolved which
Will work for the best interests of
the State and for tho comfort, con-
venicncc and independence of both
candlo"'"s in the coming campaign
and the pc, .,c who wish to know
them.
Very sincerely your friend,
JAMES ~. PARKS.
In reply to this Senator Tillman
wrote as follows:
WAslINGroN, ID. G., March 22,
looo.-J. r. Parks, Orangeburg, S.
C.-Dcar Sir: | have your letter of
March II and the Importance of the
matter presented therein must be ap-
parent to every one. 1t is q pcrplcx-
ing question and has been subject
of serious thought with me for long