The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-12-17
The Caucus System.

What need of any caucus at all in the mat
tiers of legislation. Is not the individual,
sitting as member, fully as competent to de-
eide upon any measure as the same man sit
ting Ill caucus.
The above paragraph occurs in Il COM
numIcation in the Somerset Herald, pub
lished at Princess Anne, on the meeting of
the legislature. The need of caucus is
to secure uniform action, and to insure the
carrying out of Democratic measures
When the election of officers occurs, it is a
saving of valuable time for the party to
unite upon candidates. IF there be several
Democratic aspirants for position, and the
election be left to open sessiOa, it would be
an easy matter for the Republicans to unite
upon one, and, with the aid he has in his
own party, elect him, thus practically filling
the place themselves.
UpoA matters of legislation it will be
particularly desirable, at the approaching
session, for Democrats to act as a unit on
several measures, especially on the registra-
ton bill In caucus they can discuss and
digest important bills, more or less Of a
political nature and save time and trouble
in open sessions of the Legislature by agree
in gand harmonizing beforehand
\ caucus is just as necessary as noml-
mating convention. They are the same
under different names Without them no
party can expect to accomplish much, es-
pecially if strong minority confronts it.
Majority rule is Democratic doctrine, and
every Democrat ought to bow to the will OF
the majority as expressed in caucus. 1t is
the foundation, in fact, upon which all our
institutions are founded. 1t is the rule IN
matters of church as well as state, Banks,
corporations, societies, ali are governed on
the majority rule system.
Independence is commendable, and there
is nothing in the caucus system to hamper
any man. In caucus he is at liberty to
fully and freely express his views. Should
his ideas not prevail his independence is
not sacrificed if he accepts the decision of
the majority and supports the result Of
their deliberations.
Every Democratic member-elect Of the
IeUislature was nominated in convention or
caucus. When so chosen he expected
every aspirant to his position to accept the
decision and to work for his election. Yea,
more, he expected the support of every
Democrat. and claimed it as his right, as
the regularly chosen nominee of the Demo-
cratic party. Every Democratic nominee
elected received the support Of every party
Democrat, and every party Democrat Will
expect such member-elect to abide by the
majority rule at Annapolis. Without eau
chs deliberations. and final conclusions to
be stoutly maintained by the entire caucus,
the party would be disorganized, and pro
missed measures WOulu cllIlel IAN WI pd'"'''10
or be enacted in imperfect form. The
Democratic party, by its state platform, has
pledged itself to certain legislation, and the
pledge must be fulfilled. Upon some OF
the measures there may be contrarlety OF
opinions as to reaching the desired result,
and such variance can only be dissipated by
caucus deliberations and final agreements.
IF the Democratic party had not sus-
tanned the decision of the majority in the
several county nominating conventions, very
few Democrats, if any, would have been
elected to the Legislature. They were
supported as party men, and it would be
unfair and unjust to their constituents for
anv Democratic member to hold himself
aloof from, or higher than, the Democratic
caucus. Elected as party men they will
be expected to continue as such, and tC
support the decisions of the majority as
ascertained by caucus conferences.