Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-11
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
Barred From the Ballot

Was or was not the Cameron county executive COM
mittee justified in barring Thomas B. Love and the
other so-ealled "party boilers" from the democratic
primary ballot? is a question that has created wide
spread interest throughout Texas and aroused consid-
cradle controversy in Cameron county.
Mr.. Loves plea to the subcommittee, in which he
stated that every man should be permitted to exercise
the right OF unrestricted franchise and should not be
bound by party pledges or "slavish loyalty to party, .
was logical, as was also the contention Of Judge F.
W.. Seabury and others that the democratic party IS a
national party and that party organization demands
fealty to the party nominees, at least on the part Of
those who are candidates upon the same ticket.
No one can question Mr.. Loves right to oppose Gov
ernor Smith, but it is hardly ethical for a candidate
10 not only oppose but to work for the defeat Of the
head Of the ticket upon which his own name appears.
Former Governor o. B. C~olquitt, who announced as a
candidate for the senate several months ago, took the
logical course when It became apparent that Governor
Smith, whom he could not conscientiously support,
would be the party's standard bearer. The former SEN
ator announced his withdrawal as a candidate, stating
his reason therefor. He has the sincere respect and
admiration Of practically every Smith or a~nti-Smith
voter in Texas, and two years from now will WELD far
more influence in welding the policies Of the party
than had he remained a candidate and "bolted" the
head Of the ticket.
It is the prerogative Of every man to vote as his
conscience dictates. The Herald fully agrees with Mr..
Love that a man connot be pledged to vote in opposi-
ton to his conscience. But obviously, it is the duty
OF a candidate who cannot agree with the policies or
nominees Of his party to withdraw his candidacy, join
the rank and file in the effort to change those policies
more to his liking. and when the proper time arrives to
again 90 before the voters as an advocate of the poll
cies and principles which he has aided in incorporat-
ing into the party policies and principles.
The American political system, while apparently
very simple, is, in fact, decidedly complex. Rule by
parties is the basis Of our government, and the system
demands cooperation among party leaders and major
ity control. If the rank and file Of the party minority
cannot accept policies promulgated by the majority
they always have the privilege Of aligning themselves
with the opposition, a prerogative of which millions
Of independent voters take advantage in each national
election and which serves to maintain a fairly equal
balance between the two parties. But when a party
leader cannot accept the mandate Of the majority it
is his duty to join the rank and file OF the party mi
nority in an effort to either defeat those policies or
reform the party. To aspire to retain a position Of
leadership under such conditions is not only unethical
but is obviously in contravention to the American pre-
cepts Of government by party.
The acton Of the Camerican county committee will
probably serve to make martyrs" of the three can
didates barred from the ballot. II will bring them to
the attention Of thousands Of voters who otherwise
would probably hardly know that they were candidates
"bolters" it will prove invaluable and add fuel to the
flames of party strife. But the committee
considered it had a duty TO perform on behalf Of the
national party il represents, and they performed their
duty as they saw it without regard to consequences.