New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-24
SENATOR MilLfR or PAR1Y NAcHINERT

SENATOR MILLER on PARIY NACHiNERF
In tbc course of his thoughtful address on
taking the chair at the Richicld Springs Con-
vcntion of last year. Senator Warner Miller
made some notable remarks relative to party
machinery. He argued that the machinery now
in use WAS lamcntably defective, since it did
not operate 10 induce the majority of the voters
to Discharge their fundamental political duties
The fact is. he pointed out, that majority
of the primaries are not attended by ten per
cent of the voters. while some are not attended
bv one per cent In answer to the thrcadbalc
assertion that the people will not attend prim-
aries. he well remarked that if OuI institutions
"arc not to fail we must have such system
" such plan of organization, ~ will induce the
"pcoplc to come into the primaries and take
their just share in the management and organ
izaton of the party
Passing from criticism To remedial sug-
gcstion, the Senator outlined the plan for i'm
proving the party machinery which yesterday
he formally submitted To the Utica Convention.
1t is based upon the theory that ours Is gov
eminent of the people rather than govern
ment of the bosses. lis aim Is 10 induce the
rank and iiic of the voters to become active
politicians. and 10y attendance upon their public
duties, their party duties. 10 render sue
cessful machine impossible. The details of the
plan were given in THE TRIBUNE Of yesterday
and are clucidatcd and enforced in the adj
mirablc speech delivered by Senator Nil.
Ter yesterday before the State Convention.
Its adoption would result in n convention
nearly three times a. large rs the one just hcId.
That the change would be attended by bcne-
fetal results we cannot doubt. Giving every
town in the State an opportunity directly to
participate in the business of convention max
ing would 90 far to insure wholesome point
zeal revival. II used 10 be said OF the manag-
crs of the old Massachusetts Democracy That
their policy was 30 keep the party ~ small rs
possible in order that the shareholders beng
few, the dividends niight be large. he modern
boss or machine manager for related
thrifty reason. is in favor of small conventions.
4 State Convention under Alr. MIller'S plan
would prove very diScouraeing to gentlemen
who accomplish their ends by packing and
wirc-pulling, since it is difficult 10 manipulate
succcssfuliya body consisting of l,477 dele
gates. Another excellent feature Of the plan
is that which provides that cancuseS for the
election Of delegates shall be- called ON not less
than twenty days notice. This ctfcctualIy
guards against the device known rs the snap
primary" which has sometimes been resoHed
10 by INSCRIPTIONS persons to prevent a Tree
expression of party sentiment.
Senator Miller is entitled to the thanks OF
every true and progressive Republican for the
service he has thus rendered the party. He
has provided an cficctual remedy for a great
and growing evil which seriously impairs the
usefulness and retards the growth OF our polt-
zeal organization and the fact that he has
moved so liScnty and manfuly in the
matter attcsts that he is an unsclii>h leader and
not 4 sclf-scclng boss.