Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-09-09
WESTERN COUNTIES
MAY GO TO C. 0. P.
Democrats Will Lose Them
If Absent Vote Is Kept,
Mcdonald Says
Daily gsiSDntch BnreHu.
I'm The Sir WnITer Hotel.
" Il G. RASK ER HrINI


Raleigh, Sept. 9-Many of the
counties in the western part of the
State which have been staying in the
Democratic column by narrow mar
gins for several years, will swing over
into the Republican column within
the next year or so unless the 1887
General Assembly repeats the absen-
tee ballot and revises the State cleo
ton laws, DR.. Ralph w. Mcdonald
said here before returning to Win
ston-Salem following the State con-
vention of Liberal Democrats. These
counties will stay in the Democratic
fold this fall because a majority of
the voters in them are for the re-elec-
ton of President Roosevelt and be-
cause they realize that nothing can
be done about the present election
laws until the 1887 General Assembly
meets, DR.. Mcdonald said. But if the
next legislature does not repeal the
absentee ballot law and make some
OF the changes being demanded in
the Gle, ion laws, it is going to be
almost impossible to hold many of
these close western counties in line
for another two years, DR.. Mcdonald
:na'ntained
Will Stick This Time.
There is no danger of any of these
counties going Republican in the cleo
ton this fall, since those Democrats
who want the election laws changed
realize that nothing can be done until
the next General Assembly meets,
DIR. Mcdonald said. "They also want
to see President Roosevelt reelected
So they are going to stick by the
Democratic party this time and vote
the straight ticket, county, state and
national. For the Liberal Democrats
are essentially Democrats.
"But if the coming General Assem-
bly, disregards the wishes of the west
ernn Democrats and of the eastern
Democrats who also want election law
reform, the outlook may considerably
be different two years hence, how
ever From what I have been able to
gather, many of the western Demo
Gratis feel that if their views and
wishes are disregarded by another
general assembly, their only hope OF
gaining these desired reforms is to
Join with the Republicans in an eff.
fort to get an administration that will
be interested in bringing about real
election laws revision.
Some Rebel Counties.
"It is entirely likely that if the cleo
ton law changes now desired are not
made by the approaching General AS
sembly that both Ashe and Allegheny
counties will go Republican and joir
Wilkes and Avery counties, which are
already Republican, also that Cald
we'll. Burke and Catawba counties will
go over into the Republican list, as
well as several other far-westerr
counties.
But if the Democratic western
counties will cooperate with the west
ern Democrats in bringing about the
abolition of the absentee ballot, Of
election markers and make some Of
the other changes desired, I am con
vinced that the Democratic party In
the west will be stronger than it has
been in years, which means that the
Democratic party in the entire State
will also be stronger. It is going tt
get weaker instead of stronger, how
ever, as long as it permits the pre-
sent hodge poge of election laws
CONTINUED on Page Three.)