Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-08-27
THE LEGALIzED PRIMARY.
Commissioner Shipman Makes State
ment Relative to His Position s
Thereon.

M. L. Shipman. Commissinner of
labor and Printing. arrived yesterday
from Raleigh to accempanE his family
or the return trip TO- the capital scity
after summering in the, mountains,
Asked for an expression of his views
mon the political outlook in the State,
Mr. shipman said the prospects for
Democratic success were never more
encouraging than they are at the pres
ent time. "The opinion that Woodrow
Wilson is making 3 great President ap
rears to be universal. " suggested Mr..
shipn,an, "and if the services of all
Republican ofice-holders shanla be.
Immediately dispensed with his admin
istration would go down in history "a
the most popular and successful
the country shss ever expertenc-
ed On every great 5 issue that
has arisen since he became Rres-
ident Mr. Wilson has shown hin,-
self equal to the1ecasion. GeEernOr
Craig is making good in the State and.
barring the concern OF the people over
the prospects of general European
war, our folks are centented and
happy"
What do you think of the attempt,
in some quarters, to make the sub
ject of Statewide legalized primaries
paramount to all other issues of the
present. campaign. and of the refer
ences to your position upon the ques-
tion," was asked Mr.. Shipman, To
which he dictated the following reply:
ut is perfectly apparent that the
purpose is to foment strife within the
ranks of the Democratic party, and
Democrats are beginning to realize
that this is true. For my part, hav
been taking my Democracy straight
SO long that have no thought of do
ing otherwise now. Ny creed has
been to bow in submission 20 the
combined wisdom expressed by repre-
scntatfves of the party In either prf- !
maries or conventions. I believe that
when democrats go into fight upon
issues or anything else, all parties TO
the controversy should abide the re-
suit. The Democratic State conven-
ton went on record in favor of a.
Statewide primary, applicable to ali
political parties, for making nomina-
tions for state and district offices,
leaving to the counties the right OF
selecting candidates for local officers
by methods of their own choosing.
This convention of delegated authorj-
ty is my boss and am standing by its
conclusion. The Democratic party is
bigger than any man in it and when it
spoke l, for one. took notice and have
been endeavoring to govern myself ac-
ccrdingly l cheerfully submit to the
indictment" charging me with being !
al organization Democrat. I expect |
to remain one and snail continue to |
take orders from the constituted au-
thorities of the party. When can |
no longer afford to do so l shall re-
move my sign and take to the woods !
am willing to stand up with any T
Democrat in North Carolina and have I
my Democracy measured by actual
service rendered the party, consider
irg age and opportunity. | have
right to express opinions upon mat
tors of party policy, without my mo-
tiyes being questioned, and shall con
tini.e to exercise that privilege" J
The Democratic party III EoTta
Carolina has been responsive TO the
public needs all along; it is today,
and the State convention did nothing
which indicates that it was not truly
representative of the people. Not a
half dozen counties had expressed any
sentiment for primaries and the dele /
gates voted their honest convictions,
after giving attention to free ana ]
1Hn discussion of the question. All
Counties desiring primaries in making
local nominations may have them by
application to the General Assembly.
Those preferring some other method
should not have the privilege denied /
them. This is the conclusion reached
bz the convention and if it. not gen
nine Democracy a great many people
are mistaken in their conception ot
the significance of the term. Demo
Gratis should not permit themselves to
become exercised over the small dis
agreement over the primary plank Of
Tie platform. There is not enough
GlTerence to fight about and those who
insist upon splitting hairs. will dis
cover, one of these days, that they
nave given aid and encouragement to a
formidable foe, rather than friend
OF the Democratic party. Am taking