National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-02-23

The Century Magazine, in its February
number, concludes an article on Some
Practicable Reforms" as follows:
"If the states in which the local cleo
lions arc now separate from the presiden-
tial election would amend their constitu-
tions so that hereafter all the elections
should occur in November, great and
valuable reform would be secured. There
would still be close and heated contests, and
the ills of which mention has been made
would DO cured but in part; but it is per-
feCtly evident that a very largo part of
them would be abatcd by this simple
remedy. We arc not aware of any rea-
sons for continuing tho present order in
these states that could have any force when
compared with the obvious reasons which
have been suggested for the change. 1t
is gratifying to hear that the people of
Ohio are fully awake to the Importance
of this reform, and that q movement to
secure it is receiving the support of the
best men of both parties. IL is to be
hoped that Ohio will spare itself and the
nation the curse of another October cleo
ton in the presidential year.
SIN most of the large cities, aud nota-
bly, in the city of New York, it would
DO we'll to separate the municipal cleo.
tions from both the state and the rational
elections, in order to prevent the trading
which is always practiced in tho interest
of local candidates. There is no good
reason why party lines should not DO
ignored in municipal contests. 1t makes
not the slightest difference whether tho
mayor of New York is democrat or u
repu blican, IL he is only IL man of eound
character, clever Judgment, and firm will
The complete dive rec of municipal at
fairs from party politics, and the hearty
cooperation of all good citizsns to secure
clean and economical government, are
greatly to be desired.
Another perfectly feasible reform is
the postponement of tho nominating con-
ventions of the political parties. The
time now occurring between the nomina-
tions and tho election is much longer
than is necessary for fair canvass OF the
questions at issue and o thorough inyesti-
CATION of tho merits of candidates, If tho
conventions wero not held before tho LIST
of August, tho campaign would BIO quite
long enough for all practical purposes. If
the elections occur once IN four years, and
IL the campaign be protracted through
five or six months Of the year, the time
devoted 20 these contests Is certainly OK
cessiye. 4 strain SO frequent and 30 long
continued upon the industrial and the
moral interests of the nation 10 intOlera-
bic. FIVE cannot have tho presidential
term extended the next best thing to do
Is to shorten tho campaign. And this will
be done IL the business men of tho coun-
try reselutcly demand it at the hands Of
the politicians.
"Slill another most salutary reform
would DO the holding of the nominating
conventions in halls barely large enough
to contain the delegates and tho repre-
aentatiyes of tho press, The conventions
could thon be, what none of them has
been OF late, deliborative bodies, and
could exercise some Judgment in tho
choice OF candidates. The presence in
the convention of mob Of heelers and
strikers from all parts Of tho country to
shout for their iayorite candidates and TO
overpOwor tho assembly by sheer brute
force is most dlScroditablo spectacle,
and it has proved to DO mischievous APP
pendago to our political machinery. The
gentlemen OF the national committees can
put an end 10 this if they will and II is
to be hoped that clear oxpressio II Of
public opinion will mako plain 10 them
the path of duty
TRY three lines in TiiE REpugiAc
columug Three times rs OAnts.