St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-06-04

Blaine, has appeared significant to
many of the politicians in view of the
fact that the Maine statesman has re-
peatedly declared himself out of the
race. 1t developed yesterday, however,
that curious and rather surprising
plan of action is being discussed by
prominent Republicans of the city and
state-a plan which looks toward re-
fusal on the part of the national con-
yention at Chicago to name a national
ticket, leaving their declaration of
principles as fighting ground, and sub
mlttlng themselves to tue will and pleas
ure of the electoral college.
a Republican who has held many
positions of honor and trust in this state,
and whose experience in politics has
been unlimited, turned from a reading
of Blaine's latest letter yesterday and
said:
1.-The feeling has been growing strong.
er OF late years that the national nomi,
mating convention system has outlived
its usefulness, if, indeed, it was ever
more than convenience for party man
ayers. The time must come, and many
believe it is at hand, when the people
OF this country will trust simply to the
machinery of the law for the election of
president. We all know this has
never been done. For many years
ment senators and representatives as
sembled in caucus at Washington,
named the candidates to be voted for by
the electoral college, that body being
simply ratification meeting to indorS6
the action of party bosses. When the
gross abuses of the caucus system de-
manded some sort of reform, party lead
ers, still unwilling to play a square
game with the people, Matched the ma
ti0naI convention SVGtnm w NO
since that time governed the country.
The evils of the convention system are
so apparent that reform is only a cues
ton OF time. Some party, with strong
faith in the people, Twill. in the near fut-
ure, actually invite the soyereignS Of
this country to try the method prescribed
by the constitution for electing a chief
executive.
Most practical men believe that poll
teal parties are necessary to the conSer-
Walton of certain principles in a govern
ment of the people, by the people. 1t is
only among machine pOliticianS-pOlti-
clans for revenue OnIy-that the doctrinS1
is taught that government by bosses %
leaders is desirable. An electoral coll
lege, not hampered by instructors from
national nominating convention, would
elect president in political sympathy
with the majority of the college. Such
president might not represent any
particular faction of his party. but he
would represent the party electing him.
ut is more than probable that the Re-
publican party would have chosen a
president in 1884 if they had made no
nomination at Chicago, but simply ad.
viSed Republicans to vote for Republic
can electors, unpledged to any individ-
ual candidate. Mr.. Conkliug would not
have Sulked for one thing All the
leaders would have been at the front,
hoping for preferment by the body
legally empowered to make a president.
But the convention named man at
Chicago. In my opinion a good man,
and one who would have been elected
but for series of accidents.
The convention forced the party to sup
port man, instead of declaration Of
principles. Now the Republican party
processes to care more for principles
than for any man, or for many men. 4
long lease of power made prominent
many leaders-each ambitious and all
jealous of the others. An attempt to
unite all factions in support of one
leader failed, as was inevitable, sooner
or later. 1t almost failed in 1876, and
again in 1880. The same thing defeated
the Democratic party in 1860. That
party then had too many bosses. Now
it has only one candidate, and it will
support him as one man. The Repub-
licans have favorite son in almost
every state.
eff the Republican party has faith in
the people and in the electoral system
which is a part of our government ma
chinery, they will make no nomination
at Chicago this year, but will simply de-
clare the principleso of the party and go
home and help elect Republican cleo
tors. If they can control the electoral
college they can elect Republican
president-not the favorite of this or
that clique, perhaps, but Republican.
Then the people furnishing majOrities
can select the chief eXecutive-and this
is American. 1t is ridiculous for
national convention. whose men,
berS are chosen at packed
primary meetings-who are not
elected by the peOpIe-to dictate to the
electoral college, a body legally chosen
by the people, the candidates to be
voted for. 1t is time to place the power
in the hands of the electoral college,
which has heretofore been only all Orna-
mental appendage to caucus chosen
convention.
81 hope to see the Chicago convention
declare its faith in the ability of the
people to govern themselves by declin-
ing to make a nomination. This would
send the matter to the electoral college,
where it legitimately belongs. | believe
this reform is demanded by the times,
and the party which first trusts the peo-
pie i'll this matter will, in my opinion,
first deserve lasting success"