The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-20

the state and the interests are be
hind them in the fight.
With these facts in view IL seems
TO me that the next meeting of
the State Central Committee should
be productive OF some good. There
Is doubt in the minds OF many, how
ever, about the reorganization OF the
committee. Some say that the adop-
ton of the Ogden resolution by the
Ogden committee three years ago.
making the magisterial district the
unit in the selection of delegates to
state conventions. and another rule
TO place the control of contests in
the hands of the county committee.
will minimize the dangers of fraud
in packing a convention and that BY
allowing the county committees to
dispose OF contests over delegations.
That the state committee will no long
er be open to criticism.
Since the adoption of that resolu-
ton a more advanced step has been
taken by the Republican party with
reference TO the nomination OF public
OFFICERS. The party stands unequi-
vocally committed TO direct pri-
mary law for the nomination OF ali
public officers. The party, through
the Republican members OF the legis-
lature. endorsed the proposition to
allow the epople TO express their pre-
ference for candidates for public Of
flee. Now. l hardly think that anyone
viii oppose the holding OF a state
convention, but | do believe that be-
fore such a convention is held that
the people shall be allowed TO say
by direct vote who they want 70 serve
them and and then. when the dele
gates go to the state convention, they
can carry out the expressed wishes
OF the voters.
The Primary Plan.
There should be no hardship i'm
posed upon anyone by allowing the
voters to designate their choice be-
tween candidates. Under the Ogden
resolution. district primaries or mass
conventions will be held to select
delegates to state conventions. III
they are selected by primary each
mag1sterial district OF the state, and
the state committee should commit
Itself TO "a primary, why not allow
the candidates for state offices TO be
on the ticket along with the names
OF the men who want to 20 TO the
convention as delegates and the can
didate receiving the majority OF the
votes cast in that magisterial district
would be entitled to the delegation
from the said magisterial district.
TO cite an instance: Suppose
Swisher and Scheer were candidates
for governor and Charleston district
had twenty delegates to a state con-
vention. Allow those who wanted to
20 TO the state convention To become
candidates for delegates. Place them
on the ballot, but also. place on the
ballot the names OF Mr. Scheer and
Mr.. Swisher and let the voters desiR-
nate their choice and the candidate
receiving the majority OF the votes
cast would be entitled to the twenty
delegates from Charleston district.
This would permit both a primary
and convention and should receive
the support OF those who advocate
the direct nomination OF public Off
GERS and those who are opposed to
that method. IL seems 10 me TO be
fair proposition and one that the
state central committee should con.
slider.
Insure Honest Eelection.
The Ogden resolution in itself. |
believe, will prevent those fraudu-
lent practices for which IT was in
tended, and whil. it would restore
10 the people their power in the Sc
lection OF delegates 1t would not al
low them TO name their candidates
The candidates could not make a
fight for the selection OF delegates
70. ha FaH.
would have TO make their fight
among the delegates after they had
been chosen in district primary or
mass conventions. This. IL seems. 10
me. would be an invitation for rich
men aspiring 70 office. TO pool their
cash and attempt to control a ma.
ioTity OF the delegates. In other
words. u seems 10 the writer. that
candidates for public office should
make their campaign among the peo-
pie and be- the choice OF the people
rather than the choice OF 500 or 1000
delegates elected 10 a state conven-
ton.
] believe there IS disposition
among the Republicans OF West Viz
ginia TO pull In one direction. be-
lievc the committee wants to allow
the people OF the state to say who
shall be nominated for public offices.
They are shre~d men who know that
90" Republican party must fight to-
Ecthcr IN the next campaign or sue
cumb 10 the combination OF Watson.
Chiffon and the big interests. Hence.
trust that they will make Il plain
20 the people 81 the state. especially
10 the Republican voters. that Il is
their fight and that they want tho
responsibility az nominating a ticket
placed upon the shoulders OF "A ma
lority 81 ~" Republican voters There
Us no man Who could aspire 10 office
in West Niri,inia. if he were the
choice 81 a majority Of the Republi.
cans ~ Tho state. in a fair and hon
est primary. Who should not receive
the fun and united support OF his
party The state central committee
has that opportunity Let us hope
they embrace H.