The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-31
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MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL.
MONDAY. 4; DECEMBER 81. 1888
ABOUT THE PROPOSED CArcUS

ABOUT TIE PROPOSED CAHcU&
There is being circulated just now by
interested politicians the statement that a
caucus by the Democratic members Of the
Legislature is not only essential in the
determination OF list OF candidates for
State offices and for United States Sena.
tor, but that il is usual. Nothing could
be farther from the truth OF history. Caucus
has always been regarded in Tennessecasa
dangerous power akin to the gag law, and
II has been the practice with the Demo
cratic party not TO encourage or have re-
course TO ii except when the party has
been seriously threatened by the action Of
strong minority Of the opposing pr
~. In the fierce and earnest cor
tests for seats In the Senate ttas
have occurred since the war, and even
when, in 1881, the party was divided
and Howell a. jackson was so unex-
pectcdly elected 10 the Senate, caucus
was not mentioned, or II mention was
not rcsorted to. In 1885 caucus by
members Of the House was attempted for
the selection Of Speaker Of the House
but II was not successful In onlistng all
tho Democrats in that body and
the Senators coutenlcd themselves with
n pledge that none OF them would
avail themselves Of the Republican
vote in that body 10 secure the Speaker
ship OF II. The trend and tendency OF
Democratic precedent, custom and ortion
has been in favor Of the LARGEST m.oan' u
liberty Tor candidates aud Tor mcnbies OF
both Houses II has always been .,li ,hat
the caucus is like u straight jacket, and
that H. aiicr-elccls are more hurliul than
any present good would compensate for. 1t
has never served any good purpose where
candidates are concerned, aud is only use.
iul in AN emergency policy or oil lcgs-
laiiyc management sprung by the opposi-
ton. This session Of the Legislature there
is no reason 10 fear or apprchond any
thing Of that sort. OF the l32 members
that comprise the House aud Senate
nineiy.two OF them arc Democrats
and only forty are Republicans. This
leaves tho Democrats with a majority of
80 on joint ballot, considerable more than
the necessary twothirls. With such a
majority the Democrats have nothing TO
fear and eau afford TO work with open
doors, and this, especially, because thcrc
arc no divisions In the ranks nor any
question up ior consideration that s likely
TO divide them. In the election oi oiiccn,
On agreement To drop the loves, candi.
dates aud thus gradually condnc the contest
TO the strong man woulu greatly simplify
matters and bring the contest Tor each
office speedily to q clo.c. As to the United
States scnaiorship, It would be- AN Outrage
TO determine the successful candidate hy
mere majority Of the party In caucus and
ai,crward be compelled To secure him O
two-thirls vote ON joint ballot la order 10
insure his election. That would bo O.
clear ease OF the tyranny Of pos.
sibly zone majority" IN such
case a fair field aud no hyurs is brsL
That will leave everybody with the lar.cs,
opportunities and proven, anything IKE
complication with the candidates for State
offices OF the swapping Of votes or the in
iucncing Of yoicn. 4 caucus II not
necessary and would be- positively huriiul
10 the party and II should especially b,
opposed by the candidate ilr State offices.
no ono OF whom can bu benefited by
and M one OF whom .ould bc benefited
by playing tail TO the Senatorial Kite.