The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-11-05
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PURE PARTY POLITICS IN MUNICH
PAL ELECTIONS.


II we are to have party politics in NUM-
cipal elections, then let US have 1t with
the fullest possible Individual liberty OF
choice and independence within the party
lines. The 'iprimary'' system Of selecting
delegates to represent tCle party at con-
venJions was doubtless designed to pre-
vent jobbery and unfair manipulation Of
the conventions In the interest OF certain
candidates., or the selection Of delegates
favorable to them. Like many other
plausible theories in politics or political
economies, 1t is a theory that will not
pan out on practical or experimental
demonstration. The very abuses which
the primary was intended to correct are in
creased and made WORSE by It's operation.
It is not necessary TO partlcularize about
this, the rank and file Of the party have
again and again had occasion to COM
plain Of the advantage taken by unScru-
pulous politicians md bosses to foist upon
the voter. under the coercion OF party
fealty, improper and unpopular candi-
dates at both city and county elections.
The old New England town meeting
10 the nearest approach to an actually
popular and republican form OF govern
mcnt that has been invented. In these
meetings every citizen has his vote, and
q have his voice II he so desires. Every
ching is done openly and above board, and
while There are politics In these meetings,
and must be, unless all organization and
system are abandoned, and the partici-
pants degraded into a demoralized and
confused mob without leaders or definite
policies, yet every man feels when he en-
tiers such a meeting that he is the equal
OF any man there. He has a right to be
heard upon amy proposed action, and can
express openly and for the benefit Of ali
present ehis assent or dissent to any meas
ure or candidate, with his reasons there
for. In this way the sentiments OF the
irrevocable action of the meeting or con-
vention, and the policies or complexion
OF the ticket arranged to suit the largest
possible number. No man can say he
was not consulted. and. II he voluntarily
participates in the meeting. he is in honor
bound to stand BY its results on the prin-
cip.e OF majority representation. With
a primary. however, where there are a
large number Of delegates to be selected,
the ordinary party man. ~engrcssed as he
Ia In the affairs OF his private business.
has had no time or opportunity to dis
cues or hear discussed the merits OF pros
pective candidates. He Is obliged TO 30
to the polls and vote without the benefit
Of previous deliberabton. Thus a large
number OF scattering and useless votes
are deposited, and when the voter awakes
next morning, he hnds that a HIST Of dele
gates have been selected In which ne
has no representation, but whose success
has been secured by the slickest kind of
political MANIPULATION and dark-lantern
system. Of which me had 10 inkllng, ana
Which he and his fellows in their dh0or-
Eanixed condition could not have defeated,
even II they had received warning In time
to attempt It.
These rings will be formed and have
their existence in every party. and their
nefarlous methods are principally directed
to obtaining control of tho convention
primaries-knowtng full we'll that after
their out and dried plans have been ex-
ecuted In the convention. the party lash
will be sufficiently efrectual to prevent
any considerable boiling at tho election.
The thing TO do 10 TO reduce the machln-
attons OF these Itrlcinsters to the smallest
minimum by requiring them to carry on
their operations In the full light of public
scrutiny at a mas meeting. Another ad-
vantage in the mnss meeting plan OF Sc.
iecting delegates is that II gives every
good party mar a chance to warn these
bosses that he will not consider himself
bound at the polls VI their unfair and
INSCRIPTIONS methods are carried to the
last extremity. and neither Is ne * bound,
provided timely and u~neQulvocol notice
OF mis- objections be given.
The primary system has, Of course, be-
come lngrafted as a part OF oregon's
election machinery. and nno be dis
regarded without jeopardlzing the legal
Status OF any party ticket proposed for
election. but there 10 nothing in the law
to prevent any political organization from
meeting in advance Of the primary, for
the purpose OF selecting a list OF delegates
tand instructing them for particular can
didates at,the convention, too, II Thought
proper. and then ratltying the selection
so made at the primaries when they CONT
on. Good reason exists for believing thut
this plan could be tried TO advantage AT
the coming delegate primary, to be heH
in yals city next Thursday, and IL is sug-
gested uiat Uhe presidents Of the MeKin-
10y and League Clubs call a joint and In,
formal session OF these bodies, at tho
court house. Wednesday evening. and that
OTHER Republicans qualiaei to vote at
the December elections be invited to De
and participate in the selection OF
ieiegatts I be voted for at Thursdays
49,. s..n aated who In ,ha A..