Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-06-12
The Berkeley County I'm.
broglio.
tcommunicstedl


been called to meet la MartinsburE on
the nth inst, provided the Senatorial
contestants both agree to submit their
clains to the action Of the Committee,
for the sake Of party harmony. The
public, especially the Democracy, is
entitled 10 know the facts Mt this time,
and the causes that led up to this un-
fortunate Political situation. 1t IL
simply case Of the tail trying to wag
the dog, and excessive use OF party
machinery to the point where the pat
lent voters will bear 1t no longer.
Some one has said that when the long
suffering masses complain, they are
nearly always right. Determined and
persistent complaint arises from the
rank and file OF the Democracy In the
Fifteenth Senatorial District. Tie
warm has turnsd at last. Great respon-
sibiliiy rests with the State Execut i've
COMMITTEES, provided this matter even
tuaIly comes before them. Long years
Of tyrannical use Of party machinery
in Berkeley County has at least cul-
minated in open revolt. The last straw
has been added, and party regularity,
time honored md necessary has been
strained almost to the point of break
ing. The Mass Meeting WIS called by
the County Executive Committee to
meet at the Court House in Martins
burg on the 10th day Of May at 10 a.
NJ. 10 select among others delegates to
the Senatorisl Convention, months
before the usual time for such selection
of delegates. This was the beginning
Of the ''snapi' proceedings. Upon the
assembling Of the Democrats In Mass,
Ia accordance with the call although
lit apparently by reason IF the incou-
vensence Of time and place virtually
DISTINGUISHED one half OF Berkeley Co.
it was moved that certain delegates,
named by the party making the
motion, be elected to the Senatorial
Convention. A substitute was pro-
poFeaFAllowing the DO voeratie voters
from the several magisterial districts
of the county to retire and select their
delegates, and report SEINE to the n eet-
ng. The Chairman of the Mass Meet
ing promptly ruled the substitute out
OF order. On what grounds Of fairness
or legal precedent, il is difficult to I'M
derstand. 1t had been customary in
Berkeley County in former contests to
allow the voters present in the Mass
Meeting from each district to select
delegates acceptable to them. But this
was not on the program OF this
unusual Convention. The ncrrxn OF the
situation is in this ruling OF the Chair
u an. Why, although called SO sud
depfy to meet In Mass Meeting, should
the Democrats Of Berkeley be eompell-
ed by the Chairman TO also vote en-
,nasse on motion that practically
elected delegation not selected by the
Convention Why should not the sub
stitute at least have been put, rs an
OltieF iHtAHDi vi ASctihE tsN wa W NV
Convention? The fote on it would have
been en- masse. In our humble judg-
mebt. it was not cut of order, but In
accordance with precedent, fairness
and parliamentary law. Now, having
plished by arbitrary action their
purpose in the selection Of these del
e yates, the same tactics were resorted
70 in the Senatorial Convention, called
after protest by Senator Campbell, on
toe Goth day of May. only four days
after the Mass Meeting. his position
IN the Convention was even stronger
than at the Mass Meeting on the 18th
of May. Here he and those symathiz-
ing Of HIM claimed only the right OF a
majority Of the Convention, II they
agree with him, A. they did, to con-
troll the Temporary organization, instead
OF taking as chairman the party rec
commended by the Chairman Of the
Senat orial Executive COMMITTEES. The
Executive Com mittee was regarded az
the creature and not the master Of the
con vention. He had as a precedent for
this position no less higher authority
than the action Of the National DEM
oeratic Convention in 1895, when
David b. Hill, eminent lawyer and
parliamentarian, recommended as
Temporary Chairman Of the Ccnven-
ton by the National Executive Com
mlttee, gave up the gavel to John w.
Daniel, the choice Of the Convention
ON q vote regularly taken. 1t WAS as
Mr.. Bryan says in his book ~ he
First Battle with much chagrin that
the gold Democrats saw Mr.. dill retire
but it was right, legal, parliamentary
and fair, and, therefore, Democratic,
and John w. Daniel presided.
But, how was it with this Conyen-
tion in Martinsburg? Would they lis