The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-03-08
OUR RALEIGH LETTER.
STATE PRIMARY TO SELECT
U. S. SENATOR.
coMM1TTEEMAN's GOOD ADVICE.

RALEIGH, N. u. MarcA q, 10oo'
ONLY little more than one month
remains before the Democratic State
convention will assemble in this city.
During the next few weeks the pre-
clact primaries and county conventions
in all the counties will be held.
Considerable of the space OF these
letters has, up to this time. been natur-
ally taken up portrayal OF the political
conditions, and incidentally the views
of number of representative Demo-
Gratis (most of them the most prom
inent men in the party and sincere
workers for Its best interest aud sue
cess) anent the outlook, the availability
and prospects of the more prominent
candidates, have been incorporated.
This has been done faithfully, and
the friends of each of the candidates,
have been freely quoted.
1t was done, first, for the informa-
ton of the people, the great mass OF
Democrats in the country and the small
towns, who not being active politicians
rely principally upon their home pap
ers for correct information and, second
In justice to the splendid men Gall OF
them) who aspire to nominations for
places on the State ticket.
This duty having been discharged-to
the advantage of the party and in the
interest OF the Amendment and white
supremacy, it Is to be hoped, and as
intended there will now be less political
discussion to indulge in through these
letters, beyond keeping up with the
progress of events and the develop
ments of the campaign.
PEOPLE IN HEARTY SYMPATHY WITH
PRIMARIES.
There is one feature OF the campaign
however, which I have been requested
by members of the Democratic State
Committee and other prominent party
leaders, who have the best interests of
the party at heart, to call special atten-
ton to at this particular juncture.
This matter relates to the free express
sion OF opinion and preferences Of the
rank and file OF Democratic voters, and
the selection of delegates by them to
the county and State conventions who
will faithfully and unerringly represent
their views and wishes, in proportion to
the strength of every proposition or
question of party policy.
This can only be done through the
primaries and county conventions and
a fair, representative State convention
can be secured in no other wvy. I
cannot present this matter more forci-
bly, than by using the language of one
of the members of the State commit
tee, as addressed to me this we elk.
Said he:
WILL OF THE PEOPLE MUST BE RE-
SPECTED.
"There has never been a time
in the history of the party when it was
more important to ascertain the wishes
of the great mass of voters and adopt
and pursue the policy and nominate
the candidates whom the majority ia :
vor.
"Not only should the counties send
delegates to the State convention to
vote for candidates for Governor and
other State officers in proportion to the
strength OF each candidate in each
county but there is another and just
as important matter Cf we are to have
harmony and good will and good work
in this campaign after the State ticket
is nominated) which demands atten-
ton.
II have seen nothing on the subject
from county chairmen, and have n oted
no reference to it IN the reports have
read of the few county conventions
held so far and I say plainly that many
Democratic voters are interested in it
as much or more than in the selection
OF candidates for Governor and other
State Offices. It would be a serious
omission if not fatal blow to let this
matter 60 by default, and it is time,
high time, that attention was directed
| to it.
AS TO STATE PRIMARY FOR U. S. SEN
ATOR.
II refer to the question of whether
a State primary of the Democrats of
| North Carolina shall be held to EXPIRE Is
their preferences as to whom the Legis
lature shall elect next winter to succeed
Butler in the U. S. Senate.
| "This is matter which the candi-
dates for Senator have not agltated
much, because of the suggestion that
the Amendment should be first disposed
of-so far as preference for Senator il
concerned.
"But it should also be understood
that the matter is to come before the
State convention on April 11th, and
will possibly be disposed of at thai
time.
cit is known Cor it ought to he knnwr