Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-08-12

and help elect tho delegates desired. If
money is needed. they use it. The day
of the caucus arrives, and these runners
are on hand to see that the meeting is
run" to suit thoa,. The delegates are
chosen, aud in tho poetic language of
Fourth Of July orators, are said to rep
resent the "dcar people Of that town."
But if, perchancc, the above pro-
grammo should bo defeated, the itine-
rant men from head quarters have got
further mission to perform. If the sus-
picion arises that they will not be able
to carry the convention on the first vote
by fair means, they are to get
up bogus delegations from the
towns in which they have been
defeated, to help "organize the c.nven-
tion." The preparatory work Of caucus
packing generally commences months
previous to the convention, by getting
men pledged who accidentally visit head
quarters. A political county con-
vention, when first assembled has less
law to control it than 4 mass meeting.
The contest is over the question Of chair
man, and every body who happens to
be present, bogus delegates and all, arc
permitted to vote. This furnishes IN
opportunity for Office seekers to pack
the room, to control the organization.
A chairman selected, he is pledged to
appoint committee on credentials who
will exclude the opposition, lawful or
unlawful. This in brief is the practice
and history Of the caucus and conven-
ton system in Mower coun-
ty. But tho worst feature of the whole
remains to be told. Such proceedings
as We have described, ste.ped in fraud
from first to last, the people recognize
40 irregular" and binding upon tho par
ty. They vote the ticket made up in
this way under the delusion that it is a
irregular" nomination, and brand those
who repudiate the fraud - "bolters.' y
Would an intelligent citizen conduct
himself in this way with reference to
his own business affairs -? We think
not. If. neighobr should procure his
assent to contract by the use Of fraud
and deception how quickly would he
refuse to be bound by it and bring .
suit to recover the damages he had sus'
tanned, and all the world would com
mend his course. On the same ground
| and for tho same reasons, no party il
bound by the fraudulent practices o.
selfish: scheming politicians, in packing
caucuses and conventions. It is the duty
Of all citizens to rise in the dignity ot
their manhood, and declare with voice
that cannot be mistaken, that those
who seek to subvert the will Of the peo
pie by the use Of arti6ce, money, caucus
packing,or any other corrupt means art
enemies Of liberty and the Repub
lican party and their acts will be repudi
atod.
| The sooner the false and dangerou
idea, entertained by many honest pco
ple, that they must support nominations
made in a convention, though begotten
and carried on in fraud,is removed, t h,
better it will be for the country.
] We see no remedy for these evil
except in the integrity, virtue and in
dependence Of tn. people, and thei'
united determination to discountenance
fraud and those who practice it. Th'
Crawford County system has been trie'
and is open to nearly as many objec
tions as any other. Under it, ballot
boxes can be stuffed and Democrats cal
control the vote. Again We say tn
people must do the work.