, 1892-04-03
THE PROXY SYSTEM.

For several years past the question OF
proxies has been considered in various
democratic gatherings and In our iudg-
ment the time is now near at hand when
the entire matter will be shifted upon a
new basis. No one denies or can deny
that the proxy system oftentimes gives
rise to vicious abuses which always cause
dissatisfaction ever among good party
men and sometimes contributes largely to
the defeat ofeven a good ticket. The great
est cause Of complaint against the loosely
conducted proxy system is that it is rarely
fever workeI except by men who make
a business of politics. In sparselY settled
sections like Laramie county was in early
days it has not been always possible to
get men from the country precincts to
attend county conventions. The expense
is considerable and added to this Is the
loss of time, which may also cut quite a
figure at certain seasons OF the year. 1t
was natural and democratic that all these
districts should desire representation 10
the County conventions. The delegate
elect who was unable to attend sent his
proxy to some friend in town in whom be
had confidence, sometimes accompanying
it with instructions as to certain candidates
or measures. Out,ot this system as time
wore on abuses grew. Precincts IN which
no primaries at all we're held, but which
contained some friend of q tow politician,
forwarded credentials to be used in the
politicians own interests. Cases have
been known where two or three men have
gathered together, organized q democratic
primary aud forwarded to some politician
proxies for some precinct. Immediately
afterward precisely the same men have
organized a republican primary aud for
warded proxies to some republican poll
tician who was likewise in their good
Rraces.
The methods adopted to secure proxies
and the subsequent use of them has
grown into a great evil. Through a
bach of twenty or twenty-five proxies 1t
has been possible for two or three men to
hold the balance Of power in county con-
ventions and manipulate them as they
saw fit. Through these means the will of
a majority of tho party has been
thwarted and men have been foisted upon
the ticket through deals and trades, who
we're not desirable and who were not the
real choice of the party's representatives.
We believe the time has now arrived
in Wyoming when proxies should be linn
tied to residents OF the precinct from
which the delegate was originally elected.
In no other way can there be a free and
untrammeled or even correct expression
OF the will of all the people from all
parts of the county. 1t is barely pos
sible that in individual cases this may
work some hardship but the isolated in
stances of hardship will be outweighed a
hundred fold by the general benefit which
will accrue in other directions. Our po-
litics will be rendered purer, there will be
less chance of a defeat of the maiority's
will through the manipulation of cliques
or factions, we will get better candidates
and conventions will more truly and more
fully represent the body of the people,
not only in one section but in every nook
and corner of the county.
The democratic party should grapple
with the proxy evil and bring it back to
some true and just basis.