The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-04-03

Inc CUUF6uGlOu OIL Lut AtpuDl1Cetu y1H u
to receive the report of the committee ap
pointed some time since to revise thu
rules of the party, was held in the Cour
House, on Saturday morning, "a of ths
AZ election districts being represented.
! Samuel K. Robbins, of Chester, was ap-
pointed chairman The secretaries were
Henry L. Knight, of Medford, and Joseph
G. Kingdom, of Northampton. The roll
was called and there were no contests.
| The committee appointed to revise the
rules reported as follows:
| To the Re6n6Eican County Convention OF
The County of Burlington -
The undersigned, composing the committees
| appointed by the chairman of the last Repubi.
| can County Convention in accordance with a
resolution adopted at that Convention providing
! for the appointment by him of a committee to
recommend rules for the government of the
party in this County and to report at Conven.
ton to be called herewith beg to submit the fol.
lowing report and copy of the Rules which
| they would recommend for adoption:
| The committee met on the tenth day of Feb
ruary last at the Court House in Mount Holly
and organized by the election of Samuel A. At
kinson, of Mount Holly, chairman, and New
ton Morton, of Florence as secretary. Each
member of the committee was provided with a
COPY of the rules now in force and, after &C.
quainting themselves with the same, began the
work.
At the first meeting the committee decided
that opportunity be given to all Republicans of
the County, who SO desired, to present them
selves before the committee and to express their
views as to what changes, if any should be made,
SO that the committee could have the benefit OF
such suggestions as might be offered and also
ascertain the wishes of the members OF our par
ty. In conformity Herewith the secretary sent
notices to number of Republicans in each
township of the county, and also inserted no.
tees in all the Republican newspapers of the
county calling attention to the fact that pub
lie hearing would be given and inviting Repub-
icans generally to attend and express their
views.
A public meeting was held on Saturday, the
18th day Of February, at the Court House, and
although the weather was most untavorable,
large number of Republicans awaited themselves
of the opportunity presented. A variety OF sug-
gestions were made and various plans were pro-
posed by those in attendance and the session was
most interesting one. All were given oppor-
tunity to express their views. Very few, in
deed, were in favor of retaining the present
rules as whole and nearly all present were in
favor of making important changes. Two rad
ical changes or systems We're advocated, one be-
ing what is known as the Crawford County
system" and the other that Of having sepa-
rate conventions for the nomination of can
didates to fill the principal offices in the county
The advocates of these two systems presented
theii. views in very interesting and entertain
ing manner, some making extended arguments,
and the committee was very much aided in
their work by the suggestions offered and the
arguments made. Inasmuch as the weather
was so inclement, which undoubtedly prevent
ed many from attending who otherwise would
have been present, the committee decided that
in order to give all an opportunity to give their
views that another public hearing would be
given the following Saturday afternoon at the
same place which hearing was announced and
published in the papers throughout the county.
But few attended the second hearing and those
who did attend favored one of the two plans or
systems above mentioned. In addition to this
many letters have also been received from Re
publicans in various parts of the county and all
these letters have been read and carefully con-
sidered.
FIRsT-As to the sCrawford County System. -
The committee has made careful inquiry in
counties where this system has been tried as well
in those where 1t still obtains and has also en-
deavored to ascertain what effect it would have
in this county if it was iuaugurated. taking into
consideration the size of this county and the
great agricultural districts which probably COM
pose the greater proportion. We found that such
system would be very expensive and burden
some to candidates and might possibly engender
difficulties which would not occur in counties
composed principally of cities and towns and
with small agricultural interests. The "Craw-
ford County System requires that the names of
candidates should be placed the ticket and
should be voted for in every election district of
the county. The person receiving a plurality of
votes would be declared the nominee, and thus all
county conventions would be abolished. This
would require candidate to make thorough
canvas of every district and would entail heavy
expenses. 1t might. result in injustice to those
candidates who are without means to make such
a canvass and thus deprive them OF securing the
nomination. Ballot boxes would have TO be pro-
cured and some means adopted whereby election
officers would be appointed to receive the votes
and to return them to the county committee or
other canvassing board. These officers woa1d
not be expected to perform their duties without
remuneration. When you take into considera-
ton the fact that there fortytwo election dis
trcts in this county which require at least three
officers in each district, it can readily be seen
that the expense of this item alone would be very
considerable to say nothing OF the expense OF
printing and procuring necessary books, blanks,
ETC. There is nothing, to our minds, to convince
us that this method of nomination would prove
more satisfactory than the convention plan
whereby regularly elected delegates meet and
vote for candidate until the nomination be
made.
SEcoND-Separate Conventions.-It has long
been urged by many Republicans in this county,
that the present plan of having only one Conven-
ton wherein all the officers nominated is rad
ica11y defective and that from systematic trad
ing of votes behalf of the different candidates
which may be made, and which would not have
been made had the delegates expressed the
wishes of their constituents, and other urgent de-
fects that the choice OF the people IS not always
that this defect difficulty should be remedied
There are very many reasons why nominations
for several officers should not be made by the
same delegates. In separate conventions there
seems to be no good reason why all candidates
should not have an equal chance with each other
and that the nomination should not be made in
accordance with the wishes and desires of the
majority of our party. Nominations must OF ne
cessty be made by the majority within the party
and the minority should always acquiesce in the
selection, provided that ali have had an equal
chance and fair play. We have carefully consid-
cred and examined the list of officers to be chosen
in the future with a view to ascertaining how
many conventions would be necessary in any one
year. With two or three exceptions in the next
ten years, not more than two conventions would
be necessary, in the Judgment of the committee
| if the plan is accepted, In 1900 two convention
would be necessary; in 1901 two; in 1902, three;
in 1908 two in 1904, two IN 1906 three; in 1900,
three; in 1907 one; in 1908, three in 1909, three;
in 1910 one. This would mean separate convention
for the nominations of Senator, Sheriff, Clerk,
Surrogate and Steward of the A1mshouse. The As
semb1y nominations we'll as those of Auditor
and Coroners could be made in one conventions
The only objection that has been urged in OPP
position to this plan has been the fact that it
would take at least twice the number OF delegates
in each year and that it might be difficult to get
persons willing to serve as delegates. This OBJ
lection it seems to u.s. looses its force entirely in
view of the fact that in nearly every district of
this county when important Offices are at stake
there contests for delegates and it is not UNI
usual to hear of three four different sets rum
ming for election. We have found that this sys-
tenn prevails in many counties with the expert
ence that the various election districts are all
represented and that the system itself gives entire
satisfaction. We believe that our party in this
county is capable of furnishing as many delegates
as may be required TO attend whatever conven-
tions may be called by the proper authority, and
we believe that little, if, any, additional expense
and labor. we'll party service or sacrifice,
Wou1d be required by the adoption of this system.
To obtain the best results and for the purpose of
minimizing objections and criticisms the rule
provides that all conventions shall be held on the
same day and hour but in different places.
After having carefully weighed and considered
all the arguments and statements and sugges-
lions as above mentioned, we recommend to
your consideration the annexed rules which pro-
vide for separate Conventions believing that this
is a step forward and in the right direction.
Many minor suggestions have been made, one
recommending that the names of all delegates
should be posted in conspicuous place certain
number of days before the primary meeting and
announce his choice of candidate publicly, which
choice should be posted at the place OF meeting
prior to the primary, and thus afford an oppor-
tunity for voters to exercise direct choice, but
these were not deemed feasible at the time.
We believe that every Republican voter
sho uId have the right to run as delegate TO
any convention whether he desires it many
months before the primary meeting or on the
day of the primary meeting, and we cannot
see that any rule on this subject would over
come any present objections or be OF vaiue
1t might prove very cumbersome indeed and
result in much confusion. The voters usually
understand the feelings OF the delegates at
the time they are elected, ana can vote 1nbei-
| ligently and elect those who are the choice OF
the majority. 1t is safe to say that In a ma
iority of cases ii the delegates DO not repre-
sent their constituents 1t is the fault OF the
voters themselves in not attending the prima-
rjes or selecting delegates who have their
confidence.
cred was the basis of representation to con-
ventions and also the present plan OF drop
ping candidates after three ballots have pe asa
| taken, but after much elaboration we did
not see that we could improve upon the pres
| emit plan, and we could devise no other which
seemed fairer or better.
Some have advocated that the county COM
mittee should be composed of one member
| from each election district in the county, and