The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-09-20
TEE Caucus System.

The Republican papers of this State
are just now engaged in an earnest
discussion of the merits of the caucus
system. With the single exception
of the Oregonia,,, they endorse the
caucus as the only means for main
tanning political organizations and car
rying out the will of party having
the ascendency. 1t is not to be be.
lieved that those sticklers for the eau.
Gus system are sincere, further than
they expect to profit by it in the pres.
ent Senatorial contest. They have
assurance that small majority Of the
Republican members of the Legisla-
ture are in favor of their candidate for
the Senate, while.a large minority are
earnestly opposed to him. The only
way possible to insure the election of
their man is to manage to get all the
Republican members into caucus, and
there extort pledge from the minor
ity, under threats of political excom-
munication, o yield up their manhood
and rights as freemen to few dicta-
torial political experts who manipu-
late the party reins.
While We claim to have no interest
in the contest now being wased
among the Grant organs, We deem it
proper time to express an opinion in
regard TO the caucus system. The
time is particularly appropriate tor
the reason that the Senatorial contest
now being waged at the Capital, fur.
nishes practical illustration of the
evils which are always liable to result
from minorities permitting themselves
10 be gagged by caucns resolution.
The two prominent candidates before
the Legislature for sea, IN the United
States Senate, are Messrs. III. w. Cor.
bett and ]. III. Mitchell. The latter is
Mr.. Hol laday's attorney, and rs such
is regarded by large majority of the
people. of every shade OF politics, as
dangerous man TO send to the Senate
for six years. Mr.. Corbett is an in
dependent citizen, who, by trial in
that high position for the past six
years, has proved himself, barring his
politics, an honest aud worthy Sentor.
Were vote of the whole people of
the State taken to- day. to decide the
contest between Mr.. Mitchell and Mr..
Corbett, it is quite certain that the
latter would poll ten votes to the for
mer's one. Notwithstanding this, it
is stated that majority OF the Grant
members of the Legislature are in IA
vor OF overriding the will of a majori-
ty of their party, and electing Mr..
Mitchell. Many of those favorirg
cancus were elected for the reason
than that they were privately pledged
TO support Mr.. Mitchell for the Sen
ate. For the large minority to yield.
in the present case, it is therefore
plain that they would be surrender
ing when there is no need of snrren-
der, besides betraying the confidence
in them by their constituents
The truth is, that in nine cases out Of
ten caucus is a trap in which pro-
fessional politicians and tricksters
catch honest and unsuspecting men,
and as such We shall always be glad
to see it discarded by any and all
parties. Il is a sort of Star Chamber,
where honesty is sacrificed upon the
shrine of villainy and the people are
cheated and defeated in the choice of
honest and capable men to represent
their interests in high and responsible
places, and as such prudent Legisla-
tor will shun it.