Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-30


now exists, truly and fairly before thepeo-
pie, that they may be able to judge for them
selves, and come to their own conclusions
in regard to its excellencies, and to con-
tinue it if they see proper, or to substitute
for it more just and correct system l
have been long convinced Of its pernicious
influences and evil workings. When,
how, or why it was instituted, I know not
nor do or can see anything gained by
this change from the good old direct ballot
system; but I do and can see as great gain
to the unscrupulous politician, and the
combination Of unscrupulOus politicians
known to the people, to their costs, as
cliques. To a superficial observer it may
seem just and correct, but a close examin-
alton will unfold its unftness to serve the
behosts of the people. You know, as all
know, that as soon as a man designs try
ing his fortunes in the political lists, be it
for city, county, or any other office, he
sneaks covertly through the different
wards or townships, as the case may be,
often months before the date Of the prima-
~ meetings, seeking to discover man,
who is often a small politician in his way,
who will support him in the ensuing con-
vention. Thus he prosecutes his search
until he finds the required number of will
ling ones, and puts them upon his ticket
of delegates; each ward and township Of
ten having as many different sets of nomi-
nees, as there are different candidates
for particular Office Among the dele
gates you will find not one who will admit
that he is pledged; each claiming that he
will act in convention as the public good,
in his discretion, may dictate. The people
appear at the caucus meeting; they vote
for the delegates, often losing sight Of the
primary object of the same, and serve only
secondary, by voting for a popular
ward or township man, or particular
friend who may be upon the ticket not
thinking for whom he, the delegate, may
vote in convention; never knowing as a
certainty whom the delegate may support,
and often voting for him, who will favor
g candidate, whom no consideration could
induce the voter to support; thus not yo-
ting for the candidate, but, in fact, for the
delegate, and often against the man he
wants. The delegates are elected, nothing
yet is decided It Is not yet known who
is the fortunate one. They assemble in
convention, and now comes the tug Of war
the wire pulling, the nose pulling, the
| intrigues Of cliques and demagogues, the
| bartering by one wing Of the convention
of an Office to another wing on considera-
J ton that it will in the ensuing election
support to Office q man whom 1t will pre-
sent. Thus are our officers made-thus
the wishes of the people disregarded, their
rights trampled upon. Their wishes and
desires never enter into consideration.
The convention rules and says what the
people shall do. Why should it not
| Does il not take upon itself the ardurous
duty Of nominating the peoples officers,
| bestowing Office upon whom they list, thus
| saving them much trouble and annoyance,
and saving them the great responsibility
of having good rulers, good legislators,
good ministerial officers? They should,
most certainly, gladly submit, for the con-
vention, in its superior trisdom and iutegri-
| IT, is far more competent to determine
/ what is best for them; and besides 1t IS
their representatives, their agents, express
! ly elected and empowered for the purpose,
and it is far less trouble TO vote for dele
gates who viii support whom they the
people) know not, than to vote directly for
the candidates.
What can be said for the other, and in
nv estimation, the better system? Much.
Let the candidates for Office be announced ;
let the people know who they are, and give
the people an opportunity to appear at the
primary meetings, and let thom have the
satisfaction Of voting directly for their IA
vorite men, that they may know for whom
they vote, and that they are not voting for
a man whom they do not WANT and he
who has the greatest number Of votes is the
choice ofthat ward or township; and he who
has the greatest number Of wards, or the
greatest number of wards and townships,
IS the nominee for city or county officer.
| There is still another, and perhaps bet
ter way: that he who gets the greatest
number of votes in all the wards, or
throughout the county, be the nominee,
thus securing the choice to the majority OF
| the people, and larger attendance at eau
Gus meetings, and thus insuring immunity
| from the Vaccinations and frauds Of
clioues and demagogues; thus giving to
the people an opportunity Of choosing from
among the candidates, who shall represent
them and advocate and preserve their
rights; and who shall ofioiate in making
their laws Indeed, Messrs. Edi-
tors, if we are to submit longer to this
system of delegation, We may just as well
elect them for term of years to nominate
for US our officers securing thereby to us
far less trouble, and precisely the same
rs,,,lts But if we mean that the wishes
Of the people should be consulted, or if we
wish to preserve the true principle, the
only true principle and safeguard Of re-
publicanism-of constitutional liberty
then will the people declsir that this sys
TEN shall be destroyed; that the conven'
ton shall no longer exist, and that the
majority shall rule. But if these things
shall not be, and the true principles o.
republicanism are of no moment; that th'
interests Of the people are subservient Il
those of the convention, why, then, lie
us preserve this system Of delegation, fo'
it is 8 matter Of such great convenience
to standing aspirants to Office, and give
such opportunity to politicians; for dis
play Of their peculiar talent-you know
talent must not be wasted; and let US b
governed as the convention may dictate
Indeed, in such country as ours, it can
not be too much impressed upon the pee
0 pie the danger they incur from the mach
: nations Of combinations Of politicians tn
intrigues of demagogues, whose only objeC
:. is saggrandizementt to Office, and the interest
of the people are but a secondary consid
Grafton. | tell you, Messrs. Editors, n
=, honorable, high-minded man-remember
: say man-and mean man in its proper az