The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-21

they do not require repetition. IL Is an unte-'
niable fact that the machinery OF both partle:
Is, for the most part, in the hands OF the worst
elements which enter into their composition.
Men without character and without prluciele
have obtained control of the details OF the-e
party organizations; aud by their thorough
knowledge OF all the tnfns and crooks, and their
long experience in the manipulation OF delegate
elections and nominating conventions, they are
enabled to maintain their power and to place
under tribute almost every man. whether honest
or dishonest who would as pire to official posltlon.
This power they WELD in the most arbitrary
manner, making every consi ieration OF & PUBLIC
selfish aims. In short, they have reduced petty
political trickery TO an elegant and elaborate
science; and, having mastered 1t completely, the
people would appear TO be powerless in their
grasp. The only manner in which this glaring
abuse can be remedied is Tor the better class
of our citizens-those upon whom fall the
heavy burdens levied by unscrupulous rings"
OF political tricksters-to enter into q fair and
determined contest for the mastery.
The remedy Is certainly distasteful, and Its
practical application repulsiye to every seatl
not hopeless one in the city of Philadelphia
at least. Although but little care is taken to
preserve the results of delegate elections, we
are enabled to arrive at the number of qualified
voters participating in such elections held under
Republican auspices in two Of the wards OF
Philadelphia. In 1856 there was a very earnest
contest for the Councilmanic nomination in the
Twenty-second Ward, and the votes polled for
delegates to the nominating convention in the
interest OF the rival candidates reached total
of l449. Yet the Republican vote of the ward,
as shown by that cast for Governor John w.
Geary, was 2404; the number who participated
in the delegate election being therefore
but 60 per cent. of the number who subsequently
voted at the regular election, and certainly
not more than so per cent. OF all the qualified
Republican voters in the ward. The Twenty
second is a rural Ward; but when we go into the
very heart OF the city, we hnd asmailar state @ OF
contest for the Councilmanic nomination in
1867 was one of the most spirited OF late years,
and where the successful aspirant for the candi-
overwhelming majority, the delegates
tavoring the rival factions received in
the aggregate but 1858 votes. IL
this ward the Republican candidate for
Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
the lowest on the ticket, certain local inter
ests, aside from political questions, operating
strongly to his pIeiudtce-recelyed 1882 votes,
showing that but " per cent. of his supporters
participated in the delegate election; while, il
we take the vote for Associate Judge of the
Supreme Court OF the State as basis, the pro-
portion is decreased to a fraction above 60 per
cent. 1t has been found impossible to ascertain
the exact figures of any of the Democratic dele
gate elections, but diligent inquiry among lead
ing politicians of both parties In several wards
has revealed the act that 60 per cent. is pro-
portion seldom attained, aud exceeded only in
very rare and extraordinary cases.
In the light afforded by these figures, we are
certainly within bounds in placing the average
IL
the delegate elections of their respective parties
in the city of Philadelphia at not more than
two-thirds OF those who subsequently find their
way TO the polls at the regular elections. 1t has
already been shown that the latter class en-
braces ordinarily not more than three fourths of
those who are entitled to the franchise. Starting
| out with these data, and making ample allow.
ance for the usual ma jorites at both the dele.
gate and regular elections. we have the folio w.
| ing result, showing The utmost extent of the
power of the rings" in the city of Philadel-
| phia:-
Percentage of Qualt-
fed Poters.
Number who vote at regular elec tons rs
Majority who elect at regular SO
Proportion OF successful party who participate in
26
Majority OF the latter, who control the nominations
anu Is
Thus 1t is that the popular will is perverted
! by less than one-seventh of the voting popula-
| tioD, and the maxim VOJ poputi UoE Del, which
lies at the base of political faoric rendered
| almost as much of a mockery as it has been in
| France. reform is certainly needed, and it is
as certainly possible. The elective franchise is
| regarded by the American people too much in
the light of privilege; let it assume the pro-
| portion of duty, the performance of which is
| incumbent upon all, and marvellous change
will result. A popular election will then becon me
true expression of "the voice of the people,"
which we can implicitly and safely accept as
! 'the voice of God"