The morning call., 1892-08-16
THE mETuoD OF NoMINArloN.

There are EOw prospects of an inde-
pendent non-partisan municipal ticket.
which VIII command the confidence OF the
pe opie of the city. The nominating COM
mittee VIII consist of about 100 men, 80 of
whom will be selected to represent the city
at large, the other 80 being delegates repre-
senting the several organizations which join
in the non partisan movement. At the last
meeting of the conference committee it was
announced that Attorney General Hart had
rendered decision which grants the non
partisan people a right to put a ticket into
the field with heading OF their own, which
must be equally respected at the polls with
that of any other party. IL may be we'll 10
call the attention of the conference committee
TO the fact that Attorpey-General Hart sub
mits opinions, but does not render decisions.
1t rests with Secretary OF State Waite to de-
termine whether or not the conditions OF
the law have been complied with in the
nomination of candidates whose names are
submitted for places on the official ballot.
Mr. Waite has a habit of reading statutes
for himself, and of reaching conclusions
which are not in the slightest degree nf-
fected by any preference or prejudice he
may entertain in the matter. La this case
he will read the sections of the code which
constitute the reform ballot law OF 1891,
and will find section 1856 to read as follows:
ANY convention az hereinafter defined, held
for The purpose OF making nominations for pub
lie Office, ana also electors to the number herein
after specified, may nominate candidates for
public Office 10 be filled by election within this
State. convention within the meaning OF this
act is an organized assemblage of delegates rep
resenilng political party which, al the last elec-
ton before the holding OF Such convention, polled
AT least per cent of the entire vote OF the State
county. district or political division for which
the nomination is made; provided. that IN any
county, township, ely OF district, wherein no
general election shall have been held after Its
organization, convention OF any party polling
al least yer cent Of The votes cast IN the dis
uicts comprising such county. township, city or
district, shan have the same power and its nOmi-
nations The same effect as though such county.
township, city or district had been organized be-
fore the next preceding general election.
The portion OF this section coming after
the word provided" does not apply to
San Francisco. The question TO be de-
termined is If there was an organization
representing 3 per cent of the voters in the
last election which can properly be con-
sidered Identical with the present non-
partisan movement Mr.. Waite has de-
cided that the Prohibitionists polled per
cent Of the entire vote cast at the last elec-
ton and viii give that organization place
on the official ballot accordingly. The other
two organizations which polled votes enough
to be entitled to place on the official ballot
are the Republican and Democratic parties
But a new party can get the names of its
candidates on the official ballot by means
Of nominations by petition. This method
involves some work. but it is clearly legal.
There will al least be doubt of the legality
Of any other methed, and II the doubt
should be decided against the method the
legality Of the election Of candidates nomi-
mated by such method would also be in
Tolyed. 1t would be rough on non-partisan
people If their candidates should be elected
by popular vote ana aflerward declared not
elected by the courts on the ground that the
method Of their nomination was illegal