The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-08-06
A DEMOCRAT SPEAKS.

AS a local member of the democratic
party OF Crawford county for many
years, | wish to ask your kindness
and the indulgence OF your readers for
the submission OF a proposition which
| fully believe is for the best interest
OF the party in this county, and one
which will tend to pe%rpetuate the
splendid majority which it has attained.
| believe that every democratic in
Crawford county should have an equal
voice in the selection OF the party can
didates, and therefore | suggest to my
fellow democrats that the system
known as the Primary system be
adopted.
Nearly every voter knows the work
ings OF the primary system. 1t means
that instead OF the candidates appeal
ing to a few men in each township
they must submit their case to the
democratic voters themselves, so that
each man shall have a direct vote as to
who the candidate shall be.
The benefits OF the primary system
are self-evident. 1t does away with
all forms OF manipulations. 1t induces
the democrats to give personal atten-
ton to their candidates and it increases
their loyalty to the ticket because each
candidate feels that he has had a fair
show, and if defeated he is less apt to
be dissatisfied with the results than if
he should have been otherwise used
by INSCRIPTIONS methods in politics.
| do not wish to be understood as
crlticising anyone or of making any
charge OF domination, but / submit to
the democratic voters if it is not better
tn not ~, fJ,,, n 10 ~, 49,, ,..-1. 49,
OF affairs from ever existing in the
county. An ounce o. prevention is
worth a pound of cure.
The candidate who is afraid to sub
NIT his case to the democrats of this
county is not worthy to be on the
ticket, and believe that after the
democratic voters have had a fair and
equal opportunity to make their choice
OF candidates they will stand by the
will of the majority as expressed n
the primary, and loyalty support the
ticket.
The democratic party has always been
the party of the people, and it has al
ways maintained that the common peo-
pie should have the fullest possible
voice in all public affairs, and the pri-
mary system is surly a good demo-
cratic doctrine.
1t may be urged by those favoring
a continuance of the old convention
plan, in which a few men attempt to
control the party, that the republic
cans will vote at the democratic pri-
mary. While this may be true to some
extent, yet it may be largely avoided
by wise regulations, and we all know
that this ann charge is made after
every contest caucus, in all parties. 1t
has also been shown by experience that
the majority party is always the gamer,
because men of the minority party who
voted in the primary Of the majority
party are apt to stay with the ticket
when nominated, and gradually to be
drawn to the majority party.
Let us go back to the first princi-
pies, let us make each democrat feel
that he is a part OF democracy, that his
vote has as much weight as that of any
other democrat, no matter how great
his wealth or his influence; let us put
faith in the masses OF the democratic
party, and there can be no doubt OF
continued democratic victories.
In conclusion | wish to say that this
suggestion is made without malice to-
ward anyone, and without any desire
to %critcise those who have had the
management OF the party for the past
few years. 1t is offered for the good
OF democracy as a whole. 1t is a sub
ject worthy OF consideration by every
democrat, and l for one should be glad
to see it discussed in the columns of the
democratic and independent press and
by the loyal democrats OF the county.
Let us hear from others, whether for
or against the proposition, and if it APP
pears, let us adopt it.
A DEMOCRAT.