Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-12-27
HING CAUCUS.
rom PHILADELPHIA Press, Dec. 2s.l


The tendency to independent
thought and action in politics is to-
ward the abolition of the caucus. This
is not because consultations and argu
ments are not wise, but rather because
the caucus has been made an instru-
ment of tyranny and of greed rather
than of good. 1t has been made rule
of political action that every man TAX
ing part in a caucus or a nominating
convention must accept the decision of
the majority as final, and binding on
his action. He must not question
how the majority was obtained; he
must not put in plea that his person
al views of duty rebel against it; be
must not point out that his constituen-
cy will not sustain him; be must obey
the caucus or be made politically iu-
famous, and never again stand in party
confd ence. In this way it has again
and again been made 10 serve an In
famous purpose in all parties until pub
lie sentiment is well-nigh ripe for its
overthrow.
The objection, as already intimated,
is in the overthrow or setting aside of
private judgment. True, there would
often be no result, or no good result,
were every man to insist on having
his own way, but no sensible man
expects that Compromises must be
often made, but not compromises of
principle 1t is not special virtue to
cling to ones friends merely because
you fail to beat somebody 5 else friend
who may be just as good or just as
competent. But when caucus can
ddate is believed to be morally or in
tellectually unfit, and that his election
would be Infamous, nr when propos-
ed measure is believed to be radically
adequate for the occasion, and its
adoption is violation of reason and
craftsmanship, no man has right to
surrender his convictions at the beck
of majority. If representative, he
was elected for better purpose. His
duty is not to secure merely the best
attainabe good for the moment, but
what is best in the long run, so far as
he can see it. And he must set this
down as principle in all statesman
ship-that he must not do evil that
good may come.
Suppose that the cheated minority
in the last New York Republican
State convention had bolted the nom-
ination of Secretary Folger for COVER
nor, dose anyone suppose that the
party of that State would have been
involved in greater disgrace or humili-
alton than now? Suppose minority
of Republican congressman had refus-
ed about year ago to sustain the eau
Gus nomination for Speaker, insisting
on better man, does anybody suppose
that the party representation in the
next House would as meagre as it is
now certain to bef Suppose Groham
to worm himself into caucus nomin-
alton for secretary of the Senate, will
it be creditable for honest Republican
members to sustain himy Suppose
Dorsey had been defeated for the Sen
ate by caucus bolt, on the ground of
disbelief in his honesty, would not the
party have gained immensely by it?
And so of scores of other decisions
which have worked evil.
"But what will you substitute for
the caucus?" asks an inquirer. Moth
ing at present, except such modifca-
tion of the system as leaves private
judgement free to act. Let consuka-
tions go on as before, and open, manly
! arguments and appeals to be made to
secure unity, but with TO attempt at
coercion. The instance where narrow
minded obstinacy or corrupt motives
lead man to unwisely oppose his
party will work far less harm than the
present system which attemps to tram
pie down all individual opinion, no
matter what the motiye. 1t is ma
chine method, built up to serve those
who could not succeed in an open con-
test. Its abandonment will drive bad
candidates and bad measures largely
into the background, and to secure
unity will bring the unexceptionable
to the front. Therein will be the
great benefit of it's abolition. The eau
Gus with its iron rule of obedience,
gives the bold, base, INSCRIPTIONS
manipulation a better chance than the
honest, modest man, who cannot stoop
to conquer.
Take little annoyances out of the
way. II you are suffering with
Cough or Cold, use Dr. Bulls Cough
Syrup at once. This old and reliable
remedy will never disappoint you.
All Druggists sell it for 25 cents bot.
tie.
Mr.. JACOB ScHMERKER, who died
in this place on last Saturday and
was buried yesterday, was one of our
Oldest citizens, having came here
about fifty years ago. For about half
of that time, twenty-five years, he
served the citizens of this Borough as
collector of its taxes and as consta-
ble In the discharge of these public
trusts he was most honest and faithful.
A more strictly honest man than he
was could nat be. In the perform
ance of his duties as constable he
had frequent occasions to 60 to all
parts OF the county and on these
occasions be always walked, never
being known to use horse or. to
ride. Considering his age this
was frequently the subject of remark
As an officer he was very efficient,
and as we have said strictly honest.
Had he lived to the 1lth day of this
month he would have been 81 years