New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-20
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES NEWS.
THE EVIL AND THE REMEDY.
HOW COMMISSIONER RArM THINKS THE REPUBLI
CAN PARTY MAY BE REUNITED.
fBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.l

IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Nov 19.-SOme point and inter-
esting practical suggestions in relation to the late
election were recently brought out in discussion
in the Office of General Green B. Raum, Commits
sioner of Internal Revenue. There were
number of gentlemen present, including
several papercorrespondents. The interchange
of views was free aud unrestraned, it being under
stood that what was said was not for publication. a
restriction which has since been removed. General
Raum conten o that the result of the election could
not be attributed 10 a revolution IN political
opinions; tlat tue Democratic party had douc moth
ing, and promised nothing which could have 50
powerfully influenced the people. He in
sisted that the principles of the Repu6il-
can party, and its legislation upon al ques-
uons involving the liberties and material
interests of the country. 6cre st.I approved by
a large majority Of the electors aud that in trans
acting the pubc business, il administering the
finances. and in collecting and dsbursng the
revenues, the Republican party had met
the highest expectations of the people.
Tho success of the Democratic party was
not on account of any merit OF IT. OVID, but the
result Of he dGc0ris and divisions Of It's opponents
II was clear there within the Republican party
Itself an element, yarously clled IN different
states, which had the power, whenever 1t chose to
exercise H. Of turning those states over 10 the
Democracy.
IHE tribune correspondent asked what be esti-
mated the strength of this independent element
TO be.
General Raum replied that il could hardly. be less
by all Indications than 800, 900 votes lie said this
was too powerful element to ne distegarded, aud
il the Republican party was to be reunited, it was
obviously necessary to ascertain the exact causes
OF this discontent. and If possible to
edy them. lie continued: In Pennsylvania
the contention IS over party management and the
appointments to Federal Offices. The Independent
Republicans claim that TOO much power is centred
in a few hands, both In the control Of the party
machinery and in the securing of appoint
ments to office. The immediate cause of
tue present outbreak was the appoint
ment of a Collector of Internal Revenue ~
the place Of gentleman who hid discharged the
duties satisfactorily, but had held the Office twelve
years, and who they contend turned out with
out cause. In New-York the division arises in
sequence of alleged abuses Of the party machinery,
eliminating IN the Use OF a fraudulent proxy.
"Uuder yIng ne trouble in both states the grow
ing disposition OF the people to take he selection Of
their candidates for important political Offices into
their own hands In the earlier days OF Govern
meut Congressional or Legislative caucuses were
accepted as expressions Of the popular
will Jefferson was twice nominated for
President by a mere handful Of men in a
Congressional caucus. Madison and Monroe were
nominated IN the same way. jackson and
Adams and Clay were put in nomination by the
state Legislatures some OF the party platforms
of those years are tut of protests against caucus
and Congressional dicta'ion. The opposition
Of the people finally became strong
that nominating candidates by Congress
nOnal and Legislative caucu5e5 was Abandoned.
n ne sVsfp w r5T
time President nominated by a National con-
yentlOn selected by the people. We tnus entered
on the ecOnd epoch In poll .loal machinery and mau
d-~4le,.., rOf nIy Setrs, since lroZ the eaidl-
dates for impora poltica offices have been So
lected through the machinery OF pohucal parties
and by popular conventions.
bis party machinery and these political cOnven-
uOns, however, have Uoen uncontrolled by law /;
and tue question IS ,yuef n-r are not now enter
ing upon third epoch. when the people Will
demand that the primaries shall be- regulated and
controlled by law well as the elections them
selves. hr people have right 10 select their can
dlddtes IN peaceful ana orderly manner
through their party organizations; but the
alleged frauds anu abuses IN the primary elections
which have beru 50 much complained OF In the
present year. destroy that freedom OF choice. These
elcc'lOns, IN my Judgment, should be
te- uate1 by law. Ihis would
move powerful cause OF dscOntent.
| am III favor of giving ixel term to ali Federal
dpDUlntces removals during mat leTm TO be made
Ouly Tor causes To be specified IN the law Ihe
adoption OF THESE TWO remedies would, believe, go
iar 10 TeunIte the Republican partly IN both New
fOG6 aGd Pennsy lv4ula. All tne other causes mat
nave coutrlouted 10 bring abouJ an uniaVorable
result m other SJates will cure tuemsei YES"
III answer 70 q question whether ne did not think
thc cOu OF the C0ugre 5 O4dl DOm-uttco IN levy
ing Volunta contributions on Government
pOyeS h d X rcised a. I'M IrlOus effect, General
kauIn repl ed hat he believed 3. uad tre
strOAg cling among hep4b leans hat such action
by a selt-appUInted Congressional campaign COM
mItee a. Jcst Nerclse of deleg ted powers;
was, In fact, "a to 1rst ana wors. epOcn IN
OR political n4stOry-tnat OF CougIes 'lon@I a.d
LegIs atlve caucus ulctatlUu-dnd .h.t the mage
met OF a Republican cd..pa. gn ought To be con
tGed to Ia colIinItloe octcd ~ the Re publican
plr.y in its N4tiJ. al convention.