White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1866-11-29
poIi.icaI Conxentions.

independept candidates elected to cffice,
this Fall, nominating Conventions have
fallen into bad odor, and the people en-
brace every opportunity to repudiate them.
There is scarcely County in our State
in which some independent candidates.
have not defeated regular nominees. The
cause of this feeling is perfectly plain
Corruption and chicanery bave become
so mixed up with Conventions. that they
are now regarded as insepsrsble evils.
The plan of conducting Conventions is
easily described. Two or three men in
different localities. determine to run
County," and to keep the offices under
their own control, or in the hands OF their
friends. 1t is easily accomplished, SO far
ss regards nominations. The mass of the
people have other work to attend to, and
do not keep o careful eye on political
movements. But those fellows who "run
Counties" usually have not much else to
do, and have their forces thoroughly or
gsnized. One man in this Township
wants certain Office. and is in the "ring:;''
another in that Township wants some
thing else and so in most or oil of the
Towsbips. They have their hackers and
strikers posted. and attend the primary
meetings in full force-perhaps composing
nine .tenths OF the crowd assembled on
such occasions. They have previously
aseertained what men are call right" I"
and can be used in any way that the lead
er indicates the programe is cut and
dried to appoint such men delegates. and
they are "put through on the fast line, -
frequently with the greatest unanimity,
as those not in the secret have no contra,
ry plans, and regard the persons appoint
ed, as good as conld be found for the
purpose. In Convention of delegate.
chosen in this way. the ring-lsaders have
full control. They combine their forces
to secure such positions as they desire fol
themselves or friends: and by trading off,
they control everything. No matter how
worthy or competent on aspirant may be
or how strong his claims, if he is not il
the arrangement, he stands no chanc'
whatever. Thus it has come to pass
that when a man wants Office, the frs
thing he resorts to is trickery. and trading
and combinations. The action of tn,
Convention is then sent forth as the vii
of the party. and the people are drilled
into it's support. under the plea that they
must abide by the decision of q majority
The people have at length seen through
the Convention system, and this is why
they so often repudiate their action
State Conventions are managed upon pre-
cisely the same principle; but they can
not be SO easily reached by the people,
from the fact that the different Counties
have their separate local issues. aud can,
not act in concert on independent csndi
dates for State offices. But we believe
that hereafter, until the political parties
become more equally divided. independ'
ent candidates will generally win the day
and to be the nominee of convention
will only make o man mark for popular
opposition. In these contests. the oppo
sitien party almost unanimously vote fol
the independent candidates because
they have more faith in their politics, OIL
think them better men. bnt because they
thus defeat and demoralize the opposition
party organization, and or cate dissensior
and division in their ranks.
We are not prepared to say that WI
regret this growing disposition of th'
people to repudiats Conventions. They
ought to be repudiated, until they become
purified. If,he opposite party were SO strong
that not avote could be spared things nigh
be managed more fairly but with th'
present relative strength of parties, and
the present delegate system of Conven
tions, we cannot look for improvement
The only really fair plan is that adopted
in some other States-open regular poll
in each Township or precinct. and urge
all members of the party to vote for del
egatee of their own choice. When Con.
ventions are again conducted fairly
and honorably. all members of the party
should abide BY their decisions. and bolt.
ing should be discountsn ancsd; but not
until then.
~ The "Little Corporal" is the title
Of q paper published for BOYS and girls,