The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-03-01
(From Our Regular CorrespOndent.)

Il wish YOU would call the attention
of Democrats. through your letters to
papers of the State, to the plan OF organ
ization.' said one of a party OF promi-
nent Democrats in a hotel lobby to Inc
to-day d suggestion which was cOncurred
in by all those present.
The Democrats OF some counties. con-
tinued the speaker. seem to be laboring
under misrepresentation with regard to
the manner of casting the voting strength
of the several counties of the State. Con-
gressional and other conventions. Some
appear to have an idea that if one of the
candidates for a State office VGOvernOr.
Treasurer or Secretary OF State for i'll
stance) develops more strength than the
others that the strongest man shall re-
ceive the entire vote of the county, and
also in the precinct primaries.
This is n very erroneous and danger
GUS idea-in direct conflict with the plan
Of organizations in fact.
We want q representative State CON
ventOn this year. and our present plan
of organiza ton provides for it III the full
est and most admirabl manner. 1t is
only through such convention that the
will and wishes of the Democrats Of the
entire State can be represented and car
ried out. and all dissatisfaction and dis
agreements avoided. thus insuring the
hearty support of all voters OF the party
and certain victory
THE VOTE TO BE CAST ACCORDING TO THE
STRENGTH OF THE SEVERAL CANDIDATES..
THE plan OF organization expires Sly
and explicitly states and charges that the
vote of each precinct in the county con
ventiOn, and the vote OF each county in
the State, Congressional, Judicial and
Senatorial District conventions, shall (not
may but 'shall) be east for the can
didates for the various offices (where
there is more than one candidate for any
one otfice) according to the preferences
of the delegates to the convention or
primary-beginning with the township
or precinct primary.
For instance. 80 Democrats attend a
primary meeting. The plan OF organiza-
ton says that. before delegates to the
county convention are chosen. there
shall be a vote taken to disclose the pref
erence of those present Say this is done,
and it is found. for instance. that %
favor Cunningham. % favor Aycock, %
favor Justice and Is favor Davidson.
Then (f there has been a full turnout at
the primary the precinct is entitled to
four votes in the county convention-one
for every 25 and fraction of II or more
and the delegates must be selected equally
from the friends of each OF the candidate
In the county convention Cunningham,
AycOck Justice and Davidson will each
receive one vote from this precinct. Had
Cunningham or Aycock or either of the
candidates mustered 80 supporters in
this primary of 80 Democrats. then he
A.,1f l.,
precinct vote and une-l half the delegates
chosen selected from his friends, the
Others being selected propOrtionately
NO UNIT RULE AND No ''INsTRUCT9NG"
''NOw. when the county convention
meets the same n,0d1ts Ope,dndt must be
carried out. Ii the county is entitled to
~ votes in the State convention and it
is shown chat one of the candidates for
Governor COR other State office has one
half or two-thirds of the vote of the pre-
clnct, then he will receive in the State
convention II or Is votes of the county
IN question (as the case may beg and no
more, unless by a unanimous vote the
convention decides to the contrary. The
: remaining One-haf or One-third of the
delegates are fully entitled to have their
representation in the State convention
and to there cast their II or 8 votes Gas
the ease may be) for their candidate or
candidates.
'Chairmen and party leaders are urged
to see that this plan is faithfully carried
out. 1t is the only means by which a
representative State convention can as
semble, and the only way by which the
popular will OF the Democrats of the
State can be carried out
j., T., l..
OF one county favor one man for State
office is no reason why the entire vote of
the county should be east for him. The
minority candidates in every county are
entitled to their full share of the county
vote.
State officials are voted for individ-
uadly by every voter in the State not by
counties. They are elected by the popular
vote of the State as whole and should
nominated by the popular vote of the
Democrats of the entire State. lust as
though there We're no county lines. for
counties have no bearing whatever. as
such. on the election. and should have
none in nominating candidates.
Besides, this is the plain command
and law of the party this year. as set
forth in the plan of organization, by
which the Democrats of every county are
compelled to abide Gf they expect to be-
represented in the State convention at
ally, and we hope this law will be faith
fully and hOnettly obeyed and carried out
ywhere-fOr the good OF the party
and in justice to all the candidates.
WHO SHALL VOTE AT THE PRIMARIES
l have used the words of the we'll
known and able party leader who was
addressing me. because he has made it all
SO plain that it can be understood even
better than by quoting the lengthy plan
of organization. which certainly com
mands the exact procedure he describes.
Others have referred to the same mat
ter lately. and it is to be hoped the county
papers will impress these facts upon their
readers. OF all the years we this year
need and must have a representative
State convention. and no trimming
by politicians which would tend to defeat
such gathering should not be tolera ted
a moment by the Democratic voters of
any county-no matter in whose selfish
interest such an attempt should be made
We have too much at stake this year as
a party to allow the selfish ambitions Of
any individual to interfere with our duty.
viz: the nomination of the best and
strongest men for all the positions to be
filed.
1t is necessary for the white men, IRE.
spective of past differences, to get to-
gether this year, if we hope to carry tho
amendment and win great victory, and
to that end the instructions of the plan
of organization in regard to who an.