Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-05-28
/ EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.
(Oontributed.)
SITUATION IN THE TENTH.

The congressional campaign in thi
district became little warm durin
the primary contest and appears {
be getting hotter as the conventio
date approaches. Adherents of TIL
two leading candidates for the con
gressional nomination have been max
ing charges and counter charges o
fraud and irregularities in the pri
maries, especially in Buncombe coun
ty where, it is said, large number o
negroes were allowed to participate
Another charge was to the effect tina
more votes were cost in the Demo
cratic primary in Buncome on May
18th than Governor Craig received
two years ago for the high Office he
now holds; that money was freely ex-
pended and the primary law disregard.
cd 1t is rather difficult to conduct Oh
election of any kind, in which there is
a spirited contest, that passes OFF
without some evidence of irregular
tiles. And the loser is naturally the
one who raises a disturbance.
Spending money legitimately is to
be expected. Time and money are
necessary in perfecting an organiza-
ton. but the purchase of votes is pro-
bibited under the corrupt practice act
passed by the State legislature last
year. Violations of this law, by
whomsoever committed, should be
punished and the offenders put to
breaking rock on the rural highways
A tainted ballot is an abomination in
the sight of all fair-minded men and
any man should be defeated for q
who resorts to crooked
methods to secure it. No man should
seek political preferment at the ex-
pense of party harmony and efficient
public service.
Unfortunately for the democratic
party, the pre-convention contest for
the congressional nomination in the
tenth district has been spirited and
tinged with acrimony. And bitter
rivalry has not been confined to any
one county. 1t has spread over ths
district and the convention In Way
on Friday of this week bids
fair to being one of the warmest ex-
perienced since the memorable meet
ing in Hendersonville twelve years
ago, which resulted in the nomina-
ton of Mr.. Gudger the first time. The
party has not yet recovered from the
effects of that unseemly struggle and
can all afford to experience another
like unto it.
When the Constitutional Amend
ment became effective in 1900 more
than 1000 colored voters were elimi-
mated in this district and, with Madi-
son county transferred to the Ninth,
the Democratic candidate for con-
gress in 1902 should have been elected
by not less than $500 majority. How
ever the bitter convention fight rent
the party in twain and Mr.. Gudger
escaped with only 1872 majority to his
credit. The experience of that year
should serve as warning to those
who would involve the party in an
wrangle at this time.
While there is no apparent danger
of losing the district this year, the
party should not lose sight of the fact
that defeat, in the past has sometimes
come at a time when it was least ex-
pected. The opposition has the habit
Of getting together when dissensions
appear in the democratic ranks and
the Waynesville convention will do
we'll to have care in the selection of
a standard bearer for the general con-.
1ict of the immediate future. Har-
mony should be the watchword and
efficient public service the incentive
that ought to guide it's deliberations
IN the considerations of the claims of
those who seek favors it has to be-
stow. The claim of each aspirant for
the nomination is entitled to consid-'
Grafton and every semblance of un-
fairness ought to be kept out OF the
After all, it is ques-
ion of principle and not of men. The
district is democratic and will remain
80, if the party continues to act with
wisdom and integrity. May the best
nan win in the convention, but not at
he expense of harmony in the ranks.r
After years of waiting and strenu-
e-L+;,,o- csounol Csomnera John