, 1844-05-18
EEor the Radical.

CouOt have NltueSseu lie pIdCtiS"i app
The same idea is expressed In
the more hOmely style: ''yOu scratch my
back, and III scratch yours." Those
who have witnessedth the workings OF the
caucus system, will see much TO elucl-
date the meaning OF these phrases, when
used in a political sense.-and no more
suitable and apt illustration could be Sc
lected than the late Jefferson City Con-
vention. Heretofore, the nominations
TO be made were comparatively few
and she practical workings of the sys-
ten not so apparent to the casual obser-
yer. But it SO happened that in the late
grand caucus, there were some q noml-
nations and appointments 10 be made
besides a large number of subordinate
posts TO be filled up. Here was a fine
field for the genius of logrolling and po-
litical tickling, % display itselt-a grand
theatre wherein the gambler in politics
might make his fortune.
| find on all examination of the names
OF members to the ConventiOn-and the
candidates ballotted for-that of the five
who were run for the Office Of Lieut..
Governor, FOUR were members Of the
convenlion-of those who were run as
candidates fcf the nomination 10 Con-
gress, three were members OF the Con-
vention. Twelve names were in nomi-
nation for Congress-iive Of these were
not present of course. This will leave
three of tie remaining seven, members
Of the convention, and participating in
person in its deliberations.
| come now TO the Electors. Three
out of the seven Electors were MEM
bers of the body, whiletwo others were
in nomination-of the assistant electors,
twelve were members of the convention;
and of the Delegates to the Baltimore
convention, nine were members OF the
convention. | find that the convention
roll numbers about ll5. So that you
see Mr.. Editor, of that number TlllR-
TY ONE. received nominations and APP
pointments from themselves. | am not
prepared 10 say, that like the Manches-
ter delegates from St. Louis, they voted
for themselves-butt they no doubt play
ed the game, "Scrafch me, and RI scratch
you' to perfection.
Here you have a specimen ofthe beat
ties OF King, Caucus-as appears from
the published proceedings of the con-
renrion. What agency TIE nominees
had in getting upthe townshipand
ty meetings, in different parts Of the
State, cannot be seen SO readily. But "a
ducat 10 a sous" on a close exarnina-
lion you VIII invariably find that the
worthy gentlemen who received nomina-
tons Tor Lieut.. Governor, Congress, Sc,
Sc, who were balIotted for by the con-
v%ention, were the prime movers, and the
most active agents in getting up the
meetings, that sen delegates to the con-
vention. So far as my personal knowl-
edge extends this is invariably true
take II county for example? The gen.
t'eman who was nominated for Congress,
was one of the township delegates in
The county Convention that selected dele
gates TO go TO Jefferson, and in effect,
and so far as his vote and influence eX-
tended, he was voting FOR himself for
CongreSs-for it was as well known
then as it is now that the delegates Sc
lected by the county convention, would
do his bidding, and would be mere in
struments in his hands, 10 carry out his
views. shall say nothing Of the call of
a county meeting, al which this same
would-be- Congressman, figured so large
ly, and when he was SO exceedingly de-
sirous tina; 80 or 40 II en- should act for
the whole democratic party ofthe coun-
ty, in the selection of delegates. Nor
shall | enlarge upon the instrumentality
that this same gentleman had in packing
the township meetings-or how it hap
penedthat just before the township meet
ings, he was found in all parts of the
county--in Calumet, Spencer, and Butia-
10, and other singular facts that occult
red about that time, and in connection
with those meetings.
? But it is rank treason to say any thing
against the nominees-even though they
should in fact nominate themselves