Year: 1869

- "NiC NcuttN NonFeul9th HS4i al
this place on Saturday last, had full repre-.
sentation from each precinct in the County at
the time it was first called to order. After q
temporary organization and appointment of
Committees on Credentials. order of business
and Resolutions recess of one hour was
taken. Upon the Convention reassemblinc
ali were again present. The report of the
Committee on Credentials and order of bps-
ness was read and adopted, whereupon twen-
ty-one members walked ou. of the Convention
in silence. without assigning reason for such
action. With the exception of two of these
delegates who took part in the Legislative
nominations. and one of the two in the nom-
nation for Clerk. none Of the twenty-one took
part in any business for which the Convention
was called. The whole number of delegates
composing the Convention, was sixty-one
which left forty members to transact the
business after this withdrawal The remain
ing members proceeded and made regular
nominations for the various Offices, and COM
pleted the business which they were chosen
to perform.


For some months past several Democrats
have been announced as candidates, who
would come before this Convention, for the
nomination of State Senator and Sheriff.
Each of them with their friends, have been
persistent and energetic in trying to secure
support, and have delegates elected to the
County Convention who would vote for their
nomination. The result &. the primaries
gave one candidate for Senator and another
for Sheriff, clear ma iority over all their COM
petitors. This produced dissatisfaction with
some of those who were unsuccessful. and
loud assertions were made that the result of
the primaries was brought about by a combi-
nation of a few against the many aspirants.
That the candidates of one locality consolida-
ted all their friends, and used their efforts, as
against those of the other portions of the
county. However that may be, true or not,
the delegates who withdrew made no COM
plant to the Convention, asked for no wrong
to be righted, presented no grievance, asked
for no redress whatever, but without any ex-
planation ceased to act in the capacity of
members. All of these delegates were elected
as the supporters Of one of the aspirants for
Sheriff, as for other candidates it is reported
that they were unanimous for no particular
one; making it apparent that they withdrew
because their favorite for Sheriff had not suf-
icient strength to procure the nomination.


These delegates may be able to give good
reasons for their action, such number OF
men rarely act as a unit without believing
they are right, although they may act with
out due deliberation and under high state
of excitement may do that, which in their
calmer moments they would not do. Eone
of these delegates are anything politically but
Democrats, and however much satisfaction
their action may have given some of the shall
low pated Republicans who have reported
that after q strong debate twenty-one dele
gates seeded from the Convention, they
will not support their party or any of their
candidates. If the charge against the ring"
and 'the combination" can be made to





amount to nothing more than assertion, twill
be iiimsey excuse or pretext on the part of
any member of the party for not supporting
the nominations made. 1t is more than
doubtful if those who elected these delegates,
approve their course. Their favorite candid
ate met with tie same fate that many have
met before him, and that many will meet in
the future.


So long as candidates present themselves
to the public through the Convention System
so long some of them must be defeated when
ever there is contest for nomination. If
men desire to sustain political organization.
they cannot be actuate1 by the principles of
the party if they endeavor to produce disor-
ganizatiou on account of some favorte candid
ate not being able to secure coveted NOM
ination. If individual preferences are to rise
superior and above political principles, then
do away with conventions, and let every per-
son of whatever political party he may be a
member, take his chances through individual
effort with the people. If the result of the
late primaries had been the reverse in rela-
ton to Sheriff would these delegates have
withdrawn. 1t is fair to presume they would
not, but would have done all in their power
to have Democrats support their action.


1t is hardly to be expected that these men,
nearly all of whom have been life long Dem
ocrats; would desire to see the radical party
obtain political control in this county, or that
they would aid to elect Legislative candid
ates, that are in favor of the adoption of the
Fifteenth Constitutional Amendment Such a
result can in no sense be acceptable to any
Democrat who has been. and now is actuated
by principle. The Republicans, since this
Convention, appear to be elated, they have
taken courage over our apparent troubles.
and will nominate complete ticket. Both
parties will have full set of nominees to be
voted for ct the September election, there is
a positive majority of Democrats in Tuol-
umne, our enemies need not count upon any