The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-23
Caucus Reform.

we would be at once denounced in un-
measured terms. But if every man who
has truly at heart the best interests Of
he is bound in conscience SO to do, with
out political bias, from the standpoint
of citizen, the conviction must force
itself upon him that we are, as a people,
as we'll governed as we can tie, or We
care less for good government than the
loaves and fishes of office.
Recently the Milwaukee Sentinel adj
dressed these four questions to num-
Der of prominent Americans:
1. Is our present caucus system on the
whole satisfactory or does it need improve
ment?
2. If not the best possible means for MAX
ing nominations. would the substitution Of Il
primary election foc the caucus and convcn-
tion be an Improvement, and if so, how?
3. Would such change be likely to result
in the nomination of more honest or compe-
tent men to office?
4. Can you suggest any chaHge in the pres
ent caucus and convention system, which in
your opinion would be advantageous TO the
people
Among those who answered the ques
tons were Josiah Quincy, mayor of
Boston; III. Clay Evans, Commissioner
of Pensions Moorefield Stordy, lawyer
and ce-president of the Massachus-
sets Reform Club; Charles J. Bona
parte, Baltimore, lawyer and civil SER
vice reformer; Charles X. Adams, presi-
dent of University Of wisconsin,; Con-
gresham jenkins; Senator Wellington,
of Maryland; ex-senator PhiIetus Saw
yer, of Wisconsin; Senator Lodge, of
Massachusetts; Governor pingree, of
Michigan: w. +. Andrews, Auditor of
the Treasury Department Senator
Hansborough, of North Dakota; Judge
David b. Culberson, Texas, and Alex
c. Botkin, late member of the Repubi-
can National Committee from Montana.
While all agree that the caucus system
Is unsatisfactory, and with the eXcep-
ton of Congressman jenkins, who Is in
favor Of abOlishIng both caucuses and
conventions and does not think pri-
mary election necessary favor making
it true primary election, believing
that it would result in the selection of
better men, we are not expressing an
opinion upon those matters just now.
What most concerns us is the very GEN
people seems TO pervades those replies
In his reply to the fourth question
Charles j. Bonaparte says:
No adequate remedy for these evils can
be expected from an Improvement in the
mere machinery of government. 1t is as
true now as when Burke said it, that there
was never long corrupt government of IA
yirtuOuS people. Sooner or later every
community obtains as good government as
cause our citizens are unworthy. BY some
means the whole tone OF public opinion, the
accepted standards of political thought and
conduct, must be raised. To do this. and do
it permanently and cffectually, will be "A
work Of time and labor. We have now
as good governpient as we deserve to have
as we get TO be better citizens we will de-
serve better government, and Will show
that We deserve il by getting it."
Charles X. Adams SAYS:
AS society is organized. those who take
the largest interest in political affairs are
the ones who see the largest possibility Of
Immediate benefits from political activity
Congressman jenkins says in the
course of his reply to the questions pro-
pounded to him:
''To-day it is not so much the power of
corporations and the use of money aS il is
the absolute Indifference of the great MT
jOrity Of the people. combined with the ac-
tivity of a class OF men who are professional
politicians"
Sell-interest. Indifference, ignorance
and corruption are the four predomi-
mating evils in our body polite the
greatest of all being .inditterence,' since
1t IL beyond question that if those who
are indifferent, who neglect to take an
interest in the choice of public servants,
would do SO, we would be better gov
erned. Instead of doing their duty as
citizens, they skuik IN the face of the
enemy, and then they complain that
things are not as they should be.
As remarked by Mr. Bonaparte, we
are governed very much as we permit
ourselves to be governed, and the rem
edy Is not to be found in the mere ma
chinely OF government. Bad as our
election laws may be, if Is quite possible
under them, if the people have the will,
so desirc-to elect men to Office who
are canable and honest. 1t Is 10 use
TO plead ignorance, unless we are pre-
pared to admit that Il century of self
government has failed to teach us that
in order to be well and wisely governed
each and every citizen must DO MS full
duty, honestly and fearlessiy, by his
country. No, the great majority of the
people know wha. is right but they, for
selfish reasons, large percentage of
them fail to do what is right.
The remenv lies in every man doing
his duty, and making fraudulent prac-
tees and Illegal voting penal.
jury Disagreed