The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-30
ELECTION REFORM.

From the Chicago .mes-Heraid.
III there is one subject more than an
other to which political reformers have
given thought. II Is how to bring about
reform in the nomination and election OF
suitable and proper men for office. The
people are supposed to elect by popular
vote the incumbents of the various offices.
from president down to town constable,
but as matter Of fact, the people have
a very small choice in the matter. All
they are given Is a selection between two
or more tickets thrust i'm their faces on
election day. As to the names on those
tickets they have had no influence, or put
an infinites.mal influence, In placing them
there.
Consider for a moment the course OF
proceedings by which men get nominated
for office. An election being imminent, as
it Is with us twice a year In some form.
the asp.rants for the particular offices to
be filled best.r themselves 10 get tneT
party nomination. Thus at the very roof
of the matter lies party.sm which is all
right enough SO far as the great political
offices are concerned, hut which matters
not one whit when 1t comes to the seiec-
ton Of a judge. a county board, u mayor
or any Of the offices that concern the busi-
ness Of the people, But partyism there :s.
and will undoubtedly so remain. ana the
question Is how to make the best OF II.
Now, a party nomination Is made by
means OI u convention, anu tuc
is composed OF delegates selected at pri-
maries. and the primaries are supposed 10
represent the action of the people IN APP
pointing the delegates. Theoretically, the
people are the base. then come the pri-
mar!es and then the convention. with the
candidate at the apex of the pyramid.
But no such IDEAL condition exists. The
people. instead of attending the primaries.
stay away from them, and leave this most
important point of our whole electoral
system In the hands OF the few Industrious
and professional politicians who make
their living out OF politics. rev WIRE
pullers instead of all the people, appoint
the delegates to the convention. and
these are pledged to vote as the wire-pul!-
ers desire. The result Is, that so far from
the nominees of a convention being the
NchO.ce OF their party. save In rare m
stances. they are simply the choice or the
practical politicians, or the mach!ne, as
the name now is.
It Is the remedy for this evil that the re-
formers are seeking, and while everybody
sees that reform should begin at the pri-
maries 1t Is not so easy to point out
practical course. 1t is easy to say that
every voter should attend the primaries.
but that has been sad without effect for
a hundred years. The general voter VIII
not attend the primaries, except at rare
moments, and then as rule he wishes
he hadn't. Judge Stewart, of Pennsyl-
van.a, In a thoughtful interview oh this
subject In the Scranton Tribune. proposes
that the primary elections should be
made the most important, and that no per-
son should be suffered to vote at general
election whose name was not enrolled at
one of the party primary elections. This
has its difficulties. but ii offers new line
of thought. Its purpose Is to compel
voters to attend the primaries at the FISK
of losing their ultimate vote. The great
evil is not attending the primaries. How
can citizens be compelled to attend them?