The morning call., 1894-02-08
TO STOP BOSSISM.
Local Democrats Will TRY
a Certain Cure.
The Subcommittee Favor the Adop-
ton of the Proportional
Ballot Method.

The sub. committee Of six. consisting OF Max
! Pepper, Chtus Barbour, NJ. {. HasseIt, Charles
| S. Arms, j. A. Fenton and =. j. Harvey, TO pre-
| pare a new constitution and bylaws for the
| Democratic party OF the city and county OF SAL
! Francisco, met last night al the Baldwin Hotel
| Mr. Harvey read draft Of a document which
| he had prepared.
Important changes from the present constitu
/ ton were that the campaign committee should
not be appointed until after nominations are
made and that its duties shall cease when the
| elections are over. The grievance committee
was increased 10 eighteen members with pro
| vision that its decisions shall be final, except
where three members recommend an appeal To
the general committee.
In choosing delegates to the State convention
twotbirds are 10 be assigned 10 the several dis
tTict clubs and one-third 10 the district com
mittees.
In municipal conventions no person holding
a public position. Federal. State or municipal,
is eligible as member OF nominating convention
or committee.
Walter Gallagher. upon invitation, addressed
the committee on a proposed reform in the
matter of holding primaries. His plan was To
have an hOnr appointed for the primary, The
roll called and each voter cast bis ballot when
his name was reached. In this way repeating
would be reduced TO a minimum and the cleo
ton disposed OF within an hour ia the largest
clubs. Mr.. Gallagbers plan seemed TO meet
with approval.
In the matter OF revising the constitution OF
assembly CLUBS MI. Barbour DSu rated CODY
involving changes relative to inspectors, Judges
and clerks. looking toward the prevention OF
frauds, particularly repeating. He also pro-
posed radical change IN ballotiag by which
minortties were Certain OF q representation aud
boss rule abolished. 1t is the proportional
and preferential method recently adopted by
the Mechanics Institute. By this method
where large board of officers is 10 be elected
good sized minority Is bound TO gel al least
one representative.
The names of all candidates are printed on
one ticket in alpha betica order. In preparing
MS ballot The voter indicates his first choice by
writing al" opposite the name, bis second
choice by ~" and so on up the number OF
officers 10 be elected.
Suppose there are SOC votes and seven candi-
dates TO be elected. Under our present system
451 votes Will elect the entire ticket Under
the proportional method The majority would
secure four men and the minority three. IL
there were three factions with 400, 300 and
200 votes each, they would elect four, three
and two TeSpec lively.
Under this system the voter practically votes
for one man and the minority will have the
same representation among The successful can
dldates that il has of tile total votes cast.
There Is no possible way 10 ''beat the compina-
IiOn."
In the case stated 129 votes as first choice
elects being first choice Of ones seventh of the
voters. Votes above 129 for one candidate are
not considered.
little thought Will show bow a minority
equal 10 the quOtient obtained by dividing the
total vote BY the number OF candidates must
elect one man,