New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-24
THE CONSTITUTION NOT AT FAULT

CAUCU5ES AND POLITICIANS THE ROOT or Pm.
PREsENT AND OTHER Evils.
To The EdttOr OF The Tribune
SIR: From the letter Of &c. NJ. tn in Tn.
TRIBUNE to-day quote the following paragraph aw.a
the exception OF what refers to the abolition Of
and certain other results Of the American conflict
bodied In amendments to tho Constitution. the EMS.
political experience Of the American people be,s.'
1889 and 1877 IL conspicuous by ts absence fran -
instrument While the Constitution Is full OF n,aos
cent republican theory, 1t contains absolutely no go
lican experience except what have named. II "a 49,.
orally admitted that It's provisions regarding the 49,
tOral vote are very deficient indeed"
50 far as this statement applies to the elsc,,o,
Presidents, think 90. b. T." mus, exceDt the ~,
prior to 1900. Presidents Washington and Adam. 90.
natural selections and their election was secured ,
Constitutional means alone. but with the secret -
caucus nominations In 1900 the spirit Of the Con.t,
violated aud the functions OF the Electoral C
usurped. From that time till the present pe.ias,'
have been nominated in Congressional csueuse. 49,,
party conventions and with few exceptions the Vote
the Electoral College have been the record OF nar, a.
taton The trouble In the election in 1901 arose ,.
this cause as well as the trouble Of to-day
cannot find in the debates Of the Federal Convers,.
or IN the dScussons OF the time in connection with IN
adoption OF the Constitution the rcmOtest aluon to-
hint OF party nominations for tine Presidency: thor.
pectcd TO be made, the Constitution does M, .r,,
any crisis which might arise The result OF HEN 1 Y'
fault, therefore. does not lie with the Const,ito ns
WIN party practice. suppose there had been M Dal
nomination In 1876, and the Electoral Coic o. Ibty
left 10 exercise its functions free from The d,ssea
party; what would have been the result On on o.
Eri5tOw, Blaine Grant Hayes. HaWley Conkiis. '.,I
others would have received electoral votes In The si
lean states. and on the other SIDE BayarI Th5rln
Tlden IngerSOll and others would have Received nag,
in the Democratic States. The certificates OF tbs os
for dOZeT-MOre OF les5-Of the distinguished r,1
both parties would be opened, the votes cognicd ~
suit declared by tie President Of the Senate ana sc
Of them had a majonty-accepled both In Co,-smy
aud out ~ II, without the question being raised a. 3p
constitutional authority 20 do go or Is 10 Whe,Les,
PresdeHt-eiect had or did not have a maosi,y ~ tt
popular vote. VAC
II the country should 90 back TO the constit,,,.,
way OF eiectDg Presidents, II would avoid nudi. ~
the present one without resOrtiug l. amendment M 80
Constitution Candidates for the Prcsldency ca
s-kcrs and politicians generally may not lie III 49,
but quiet Presidential elections the electoral GOLFER ~
charging ITS functions free from the dictatioa OF oibI
parties, an independent Executive competent bopes,
and permanent Oiyil service, would give the Ieope IN
experience OF OF the republican theories OF h. CoD
sti;uOn which they would ulwingly give uD
HGrtfOrd, Conn, Jan. 80, 1871 jim