The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-06
TIE POLITICAL MACHINE
History of the Development of Organ
ization in American Politics.
Inc value OF Individual Protest. and the
Uselessness Of Individual vOtiag-The
Necessity Of 1.-The Machine"

spolis Literary Club
The first political State convention
was held In New York in 1874 and nominated
Dewitt Clinton for Governor. The first national
convention ever held 10 the United States by
any POLITICAL party was that Of the anti Masonic
party. which met IN Baltimore in Sep
tember, 1891 In December of the same
year Henry Clay was nominated by
a national convention also held in
Baltimore. and in March, 1892, Jackson was
nominated in the same city by the frat national
convention Of the Democratic party. 1t is at
least interesting to notice that steamboats, came
into somewhat general use between 1920 and
1880 The first forty miles OF raiIro ad built in
the United States was completed 10 1890. And
IN 1S32 PROFESSOR Morse drew a sketch OF an In
strumsnt for reading signals at distance by
electro magnetism The people were becoming
acquainted and were beginning to have the
means Of coming together for consultation and
combined action.
The first political platform was adop ted by the
Democratic convention in 1910. 10 the last half
century the progress of the purely democratic
idea has been steady and rapid. The power COM
mittsd to the multitude by the trainers of the
Constitution cautiously. and, az they supposed,
with many guards and limitations has been
eagerly accepted and boldly exercised
One after another Of those provisions tending
10 government by an aristocracy have been
swept away By the rising power of the masses,
each year welded with greater boldness and
more effective methods Few Presidents now
veto bills in harmony with the party platform on
which they are elected No Legislature chooses
q United States Senator not in accord With the
political views Of the party In the majority. and
these views are well understood when the Legis-
lature Is chosen, and often the particular man to
Be named IN case the one party or the other
controls the Legislature is As well known before
the Legislators meets as afterward Few rep
rssentatives OF the people ever think of opposing
their wishes and acting according TO their
opinions. No Legislature would now dare to
choose presidential electors. and any elsctor
chosen by the people who should presume TO ex-
ercise his individual Judgment and vote for
was chosen could hardly find "city of refuge"
anywhere. For doing exactly what the makers
Of the Constitution intended that he should do,
be would be denounced as traitor 70 his trust
I'D public enemy.
Nothing can illustrate more strongly the pro-
found change that has occurred in our system of
government 1t has come quietly, gradually aud
without statute or constitutional amendment,
but u Is mono the less important and real.
The clause OF this change is not obscure and
seek. 1t has not been due. some assert, TO
the increased mower and importance of the in
dividual The individual is vastly less impor-
tant and powerful than when Washington was
PrHident The influence of great names great
families aud even distinguished talents in shap-
ing the course of political events 10 much less
than formerly. Washington. Hamilton aud
Jefferson had each large personal following
hall and
had almost none. In Washington's time man Of
wealal, family and ability was usually support
ed by ut least q local and often q State consttu-
eucy that bad something akin to reverence for
his name. family and social position, and being
brought much IL contact with him and knowing
little Of others. were much influenced by his
opinions and warmly attached 20 his fortunes.
Washington himself was practically sort Of
Virginia baron.
This state Of things has almost wholly disap-
peared. The ablest statesman may now infiu-
encs the vote of his coachmsn. but if he belongs
20 a union or opposite political party, he will
probably prefer to be governed by its resolu-
tions- Nor Is the dignity or importance of the
humber members or society at oil increased
when regarded merely as individuals The
humble individual has much less freedom and
poSBr than he possessed . century ago. He 10
also com 5assed about by social aud legislative
restriction. As population becomes more dense
he finds that the food that he eats, the clothes
that he wears. the fuel that he burns, the water
very crumbs from his table. must be acquired,
built used and disposed OF according to laws and
ordinances intended to secure the comfort and
safety Of bis neiRhborz
That clause of the preamble Of the Constitu-
ton which declares that il was intended ITO
promote the general welfare" 10 the one which.
In these latter days. has been regarded as de-
clsring the important object OF government
Ithas not been the rise of the individual Of high
OF lowly station. but Of the mass. The change
has nor been due IN any great measure to
kindly and charitable disposition on the part OF
those who are always pleased to style themselves
the first citizens. The multitude has broken
down every obstacle and taken firm and direct
control OF ths government by sheer force of or
ganized numbers. The railroad and telegraph
have practically compressed our vast territory
within limits which . century ago would have
bounded single county. Hence eommunica-
ton, consultation, exchange Of opinions agree
ment upon essential doctrines and organization
70 promote them have become easy and familiar.
Most men have learned that an Collection does
not consist wholly In bon-nres, music. oratory
and newspaper discussion, but that these are
mere means TO an end, and that end IL TO be
counted on the one eide or the other Of very
few questions. To secure the largest count great
parties have boon organized with their various
committees and conventions These make nomi
nations and platforms. and use the music, the
newspapers and the oratory. They proceed al
most wholly without the sanction or restrain Of
any Law, except such as they provide for them-
selves There are but few States now in which
the public authorities do even 80 much as pro-
vide tickets for the voters.
From the standpoint Of the law an election is
. stated occasion when each voter shall have a
fair opportunity 20 write out q ticket represent
Ing his individual views, 60 TO some convenient
place and deposite II in = stout box provided for
the purpose. This would be an ideal election
for those men who must vote strictly according
20 their conscientious convictions, and who
will make no eompromise with evil As
30 election 10 simply count OF votes in
which the largest number OF the same kind con-
trolls. the absurdity and mischief OF such a
course IL manifest In every scattering OF bal
lots the vicious and selfish are always among the
fret TO the advantage OF standing together
The very essence of political party Is conees-
sioa and compromise- The work Of party organ
izatons is to bring together those who viii agree
upon nSn and measures approximately represen-
tatlvs of their individual opinions
The world has never such organization
and discipline of the civil forces as may be wit
messed IN the election of President OF the
United States In the Comtia OF Rome but
few citizens participated. The election OF q
British Parliament engages fewer voters and ex-
tsnds over considerable period or time. At
the presidential election Of 1854, in round num-
bsrs. ten millions of votes were cast. being. IS
- estimated, more than ninety per cent Of the
whole number that could be lawfully cast. OF
these, nice millions and seven hundred thousands
we're divided between two parties. Only about