Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-01-01
THE POPULAR VOTE.
ABOLISH THE cosvKRREg SYSTEM.


1t is responsible for party disaster in many
instances and for narrow escapes from dis
aster in Others. In view of the inherent
evils of the system the last Republican
state convention recommended that it be
done away with, and that nominations be
made BY conventions made supon basis
of the Republican vote of the several cour-
ties composing tho district.
The Williamsport Gazette and B"af'''
urges that action be taken at once looking
to . change of method in the Sixteenth
district. 1t says that district was nearly
lost to the Republicans last year because
deadlock three by-three conference pre-
vented q nomination until within few
days of the election. The Republican
chsirmen of the Eighteenth district Will
meet at Harrisburg January 7th to formu-
late some plan that will give all the coun-
ties their proper influence in dominating
conventions. The Tioga county Repub-
lican committee some time ago unani-
ly denounced the old conferree sys-
tenn as unrepublican and breeder of dis
cord, and appointed committee to con-
with similar committees from other coun-
ties of the district with view of securing
change.
The experience in the Twenty fifth dis.
trict last year gave the people over there
forcible object lesson on. the conferree
plan, and committees have since been try
ing to agree on some more satisfactory and
equitable method. The judicial deadlock
in the Bedford Somerset district this fall,
and the prolonged and distracting struggle
for the nomination for congress in the
Twentieth district in 1890 ought to be suf-
fcient to COON the mischievous system in
the eyes of the people in that section
The recommendation Of the state con-
vention ought to be acted on throughout
the state Where committees of confer
ence have not been appointed they should
be named without further delay in order
tLat conclusion can be arrived at before
the time for making nominations again
comes around.
SIMILAR TROUBLE IN ANoTHsR DISTRICT
.Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin.
The question of nominating candidates
for congress by the conferree system or
otherw wise remrins as yet unsettled, This
district came near losing its Congressman
to the Democrats in 1890, owing to the
de adlock conference preventing nomina-
ton being made until few days before
the election The system was heartily
condemned at the time, and there was
strong talk of effecting change that
would bo more satisfactory. The matter
was suggested to the other counties in the
district, but as yet no action has been
takeu. Next year the sums difficulty will
confront tho party. Why not take time
by the forelock and revise the system 10
advance, so that the same risk will not
attend nominations IN the futurei This is
a pertinent question, and should receive
early consideration.
SHOULD BIB ENOUGH.
Sharpsville Adver tiser.
The several Republican county commit
tees Of this Congressional district appear
to be at loggerhesds, and cannot agree
upon plan making change in nominal
ing a candidate. They will meet again
Jan. 9th and make another atte mpt.
It seems to us that the true method is
the popular vote system. The statement
that this mode is more corrupt tnan the
delegate system cannot be verified. Ii II
Is, then the members of the Republican
party in this district must be made up of
an aggregation of base corruption'sts, aad
they do not deserve success. The 10 suit
of the last nominating convention, win
several of the delegates in jail. should 90
enough to demand change from the deie-
cato system Let us see if the committees
are wise enough 10 do it. Let the voters,
the source of power, make the decision,
aud If mistake is made no one will be to
1iana.
FOR U. g. SENATORS TOO.
In the Senate last week, Mr.. Tarpie
opened the speech-making with an able
plea for the election of Senators by a
popular vote, thus placing the response
bility in the premises where it belongs,
directly upon the people, and not upon
the Legislative delegates"
Senator Turpie, after an historic sketch
of the organization of the Government
declared that there was nothing in the
history of the American people that should
induce Senators to check the movement,
or to distrust it, or to disallow its just in-
fuence in the multiplication of the origin
al terms of the Federal compact. In con-
olusion he said: "We are preparing for the
exhibition ofa splendid international page
ant, commemorative of the discovery and
settlement Of this continent. II would be
most fs,ioisous should We signalize it By
the submission and adoption OF this amend
mert-thus publishing to this grand coun-
Gil of the worlds commerce and exchange
that the great Republic of the West had
given to its people direct control of the
Legislative department Of the Government"
At the close of Mr.. Turpie's speech the
oint resolution was referred to the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections.
DALzELL ON THE ELECTION or U. s. sBNA-
TORS.
At the meeting of the Now England
Society in New York, few days ago, to
celebrate the 271st anniversary Of the land
ing Of the Pilgrim Fathers. Congressman
John Dalsell of Pa. who. as a
newcomer received a warm welcome, aud
gave as the last toast: "New England in
Congress in Early Days. He said in part:
There are two or three thoughts connect
ed with the relation Of early New England
to our system Of government of which I
would speak in very brief terms and mere
ly by way of outline.
The conception is Yankee one Of sn
instrument in writing which, covering the
whole field of government, should secure
liberty by defining the limits of power.
For my part much prefer the origina
idea ofs written constitution as chart Of
government to the modern molstrosiry of
our day, which, under the name ooastitu-
tion, gives to us code of laws.
Provision was made therein for repre-
sentatiOn in one House from townships,
and in the other from the people of the
whole State. And this New England idea
known to history as the Connecticut Com
promise by adoption and adaptation resulted
IL the scheme which makes one House th6
representatives to-day Of the people Of the