The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-02-04
Practicable R.fsrn,..

The Century Magazine in lis February
number, concludes an article on Jme
Practicable Reforms" as follows:
I'll the States in which the local elections
are now separate from the Presidential eiec-
ton would amend their constitution SO tnat
hereafter all the elections should occur in
November, q 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
be cured but IN part; but it is per-
fectly evident that very l4rge part of them
would be abaied by chs simple ran edy. We
are not aware Of any reasons for continuing
the present order in these States that could
have any force when compared with the OBJ
vious reasons which have been suggested for
the change. 1t is gratifying to hear that the
people OF Ohio are fully awake to the i'm
pOrtance of this reform, and that a move
ment to secure it is receiving the support OF
the best men of both parties. 1t Is 20 be
hoped that Ohio viii spare itself and the Ne
ticn the curse Of another October election in
the Presidential year.
In most of the large cities and notably
in the city of New YORK, it would be well TO
separate the municipal elections FROM both
the State and the national elections, in order
TO prevent the trading which is always prsc.
ticed in the interest Of local candidates.
There is no good reason why party lines
should lot be ignored in municipal contests.
IL makes not the slightest difference whether
the Mayor of New York is a Democrat or a
Republican,, if he is only man of sound
character, clever judgment and firm viii.
The complete divorce of municipal affairs
from party politics and the hearty co.opera-
ton OF all good citizens to secure clean and
economical government are greatly to be
desired
Another perfectly feasible reform is the
postponement of the nominating couYen.
a.. - -.
occurring between the nominations and toe
election Is much longer than is necessary for
fair canvass of the questions at issue sad u
thorough investigation OF the merits OF can-
didstes IL the conventions we're not held
before the LIST OF August, the campaign would
be quite long enough for campaign pur-
poses. III the elections occur once in four
years, and the campaign be pTotracted
through five or six u onths OF the wear, the
time devoted TO these contests is certainly
excessive. A strain so frequent and go long
continued upon the industrial aud she
moTs Interests rs iDtoIera0le. IL we can
not have the Presidential term extended
the next best thing 10 do is TO shorten the
campaign. And this will be done il the
! business men OF The country resolutsly
| demand ii at the hands of the politicians.
''Still an other most sRlutsry reform would
| be the holding of the nominating cOnven-
| tions in halls barely large enough ID contain
the delegates dnu the representatives. OF TIE
| press. The conventions could then be-
What noIe of them has been of late, deliber-
alive bodies. and could exercise some j4dg
| ment in the choice OF candidates. rhr pres
| ence in the convention OF a mob OF heeiers
and strikers from all parts OF the coontry, 70
| sbout for their favorite candidates and II
| overpower the assembly by sheer brute
| force, is most discreditable spectacle, and
| il has proved to be q misohieyons apDendsse
To orr political machinery. The gentlemen
| Of The National Committee can put al end
| 10 this If they will, ard it is to bs hoped
| that clear expression OF public oninion
| will make plain to them the path OF duty"