Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-02-23
DOWN WITH The CAUCUS.


Up With the Will of the Dsnoaracy-A
Proposition to Hold a state Convention
for the Nomination Of u. :. senator.
To the Editor Of hs Register.
think it may be safely affirmed that, in
no one case arising under our national
form of government, is the will Of the PEG
pie so often thwarted, nor in any other IN
stance is our practice so undemocratic, as
in the matter Of the moe OF nomination
and election of United States Senators
The true Democratic principle requires that
these high officials be elected By the direct
vote OF the people, and time will not pre-
gress many years until il shall have re
formed this principle into realization. The
Don Camerons and Sbarons and others
Tor we might be deemed personal should
We extend the list much turrher), who have
filled seats in the Senate chamber, without
carrying into it the slightest weight Of leg.
islative ability or craftsmanship, would
then become impossibliues. But, unit.
that hopeful day Of reform arrives, We
must deal with things as tnay ere.
The State Legislatures elect the Sena
tors. II is as VIGOROUSLY true thst these
legislatures DO not, at all tunes, answer the
will OF the people in the elections they
make, that the inquiry - forced upon us,
Is there no way by which the people can
insure the election OF their choice to rep.
resent them in the higher branch OF Con,
gress2 The caucus-the Legislative caucua
that dominates the Senator, what Is 1t
Simply the most ready and convenient tool
that ingenuity conld devise, whereby
shrewd rascahty or tbs coTrap,iDJ power
of place and money may pu; down The pow,
er and will Of the people and accomplish
their own ambitions. Worth, merit, abIl
ity. ststesmsnship-whst do all these
copnt - the caucus, against the omnlpo
fencs of wealth. or he oil conqnerlpg 90"
er OF the ringlesder? Why, eytd 4nur
man against thess iE but a Plgmy strS"
n he blown aside with break. 10 oui
renroses il is 10 be confessed that IN Wes
Virginia to-day some Of oar very best mel
I for Sepstor-men knows 10 81 30 ana ca
nable-are no more thought ot bein'
named for the place than they would d.
/ seriously named IS successors IL Fres'uTn
Crew: whilst in the other party some "ho
hut have said enough
And what is the REMEDY Just this AL'
no more. Down with the caucus and nj
with the will Of Democracy. Let the De
mocracy of the State, acting through &c
accustomed channels of district, count
and conventions, instruct their members
the Legislature upon choice OF Senator
| So long "a the fifth wheel the Legislature
nnst be tolerated ss an obstruction 81
tween the people and their choice, let It
least he nut under directions. Dou5tle'
the Legislature would obey jast "a n
Electoral College ian exact J similar MT
ubeeD has, without d single e&ceP'e
since its institution, obeysd the lnstIu
lions of the partYs National c2nveGn no
oItbough under not viii more Legal 90
cation 10 do so than the Legislature you
be in the case in hand.
I therefore propose that the Democra'
=, the State hold State convention, 81
in August next, for the purpose OF nS Q,
stino 8 candidate for United > %es Te"
tor for the term eoRaepclng Mare"
1887. ,,,,J :,
What say the Democratic masses Sna !
State Executive Committeeto the PEoPo
o'H'9 MJNTANUS