Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-08-31
For the Charles City Intelligencer
The Approaching Elections.

x0c ApPAOoCAAAA6 AsACSsASAS'
Mn. EpIroR THE manner of elect
ing delegates to nominating conven-
tions appears to the writer to be de-
serving Of particular attention at this
time. Considerations of public inter
est, and not personal ends, prompt
these observations. So, Mr.. Editor,
you have my disclaimer in advance as
to my being a candidate for Rep:esen-
tative or any county Office. Neither do
I write with the view of advancing
the political prospects of any OF the
numerous and deserving candidates
for county Offices, honors and emolu-
ments.
What is the practical effect Of the
present system of electing delegates /!
l propose to answer the question, first,
by showing ho,c the thing has often
been managed might begin with
the township caucus, but propose to
go back of that few weeks, or months,
and in imagination follow the different
candidates. They frequently travel
on business of course-from house to
house from one neighborhood to
another and often from one township
to another Every candidate has his
strong and weak points. Some visit
all of all ages, sexes and conditions
others only the knowing or leading pol
iticians, under whose skillfnl engineer
ing the party wires arc to be laid to
induce large attendance of the right
kind of voters at the township caucus.
The managers are often nervously anx.
ious to organize promptly at the
hour" The right kind of tickets are
usually provided-to sare time Some
times the formality of appointing a
committee to present names is gone
through with, providing the chairman
is fright" A few impracticables :"
may subsequently dissent, and charge
that the caucus was packed" but it
is not orthodox to "bolt" the "regu-
lar" choice Of delegates or candidates.
You will notice, Mr.. Editor, that /
have not so much as intimated that
any unfair means are ever used );
fact we often hear that call is fair in
politics" But, by such system, do
the mass of the intelligent people re-
feet their honest sentiments, or do they
allow the candidates-office seekers
to "run the town.? ....
Supposing there are several appli-
cants for each of the several county
Offices, and each applicant has his list
for delegates. With each set Of such
delegates the claims of their candidate
are first or paramount to all other in
terests. Is it wise for the people to
allow delegates to be elected in such
a manner? think not and / will
suggest what seems to me to be far
better method. Let the voters, all, if
possible, meet in caucus, and let there
be fair, open and above board organi.
cation of the meeting. Then let the
vote for delegates be taken by ballot,
rir0 rooe, or otherwise, provided it be
fairly done. Now, who ought to be
delegates l answcr-The very best
men in the township. After electing
such men, let the caucus, if it sees fit,
instruct the delegates as to who is the
choice of the township for this, that,
or the other office. Such delegates
would always respect instructions.
If delegates to all nominating con-
ventions were of the class named, and
SO elected, what would be the class of
men nominated and elected to Office
Surprising new questions and new is.
sues in the convention should arise,
which system of choosing delegates
would best meet the public interests
The one system, in effect, is much like
the handle of .jug-all upon one side ;
the other will fully reflect the will, and
thus carry out the wish, of the people.
The first induces the man to seek the
Office, the other enables the people to
place in office the best man.
Gentlemen Electors which system
will you choose? sO