New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-31
A PLAN FOR CLEANER PRIMARIES

y PLAN FOR CLEANER PRIMARIES.
TAKING NOMINATIONS OUT OF THE BOSSES
HANDS AND GIVING THE PEOPLE CONTROL
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: am not a statesman nor n politician, but
I am an American. ard love my country 1t is
with shame and that see such men as
Croker Plat and Hill controlling the politics OF our
country. They mer who represent everything
that is bad. rotten and corrupt in politics We all
know that the present method Of making nomna-
tons is one Of the greatest sources Of evil and per-
mts the profitable and corrupt deals made by the
bosses. The people have voice in making the
nominations and forced to vote for the men
who owned and controlled by the Republican
boss or by the Democratic boss.
often near IT asked. Why don't the respectable
men go TO the primaries and force the nomination
Of good mcn?" Any respectable citizen who has
ever gone to primary can answer that question.
The boss controls the primary. and no respectable
citizen can have any voice In the proceedings in
dependent OF the boss's orders. There Is much talk
Of an improvement IN our primaries. but any laws
passed in this direction that are approved Of by the
bosses viii in some way inure TO their benefit Any
bin advocated by Nj Quigg is certain TO have
something bad fin Il. Then. too. there Is this diff
hculty in any law that depends for its good results
on the attendance OF the respectable element OF
society at the primaries. that class Of people vii.
not attend. knowing from past experience that the
bosses and their heelers will by corrupt methods
control the meetings. Whatever laws may be
passed the boss the ioughs and heelers win make IT
too hot for respectable men 10 have much Influence.
Is there any way to get over this difficulty?
think there is. and most enectnally. II may aid
something election expenses. but the extra money
will be well spent If 1t secure the fuhlment OF
the honest wishes OF the public and can kill po-
l;cal.y bosses and deals. II get honest
officials viii il be better 10 pay extra cleo
ton expenses than TO have the corrupt men given to
by the bosses?
have not attempted to work up tho plan in de-
tail. but give some general IDEAS and leave it 10
more able 70 perfect the plan II good can be
seen in II. There is ;a!ng that my plan pro-
vides for hat nave never read or heard suggested
and that is that the minority shall have something
to say in regard to the candidates who shall be
nominate Dy Inc D nepP0,e ,nat u am ~
majority and Wi. certainly elect their candidates
but that am Republican, why should no, have
something 70 say as 10 whom they shall elect TO rule
able ana Just This roughly IS my pan.
First-No person shall be eligible as a candidate
least per cent OF the qualified voters OF his as
trct requesting the person 10 allow his name to be
second--These petitions TO be nled with some
petition 10 state thu political party the candidate Is
Third-As soon As ali OF the petitions are in
blanket sheet shall BE prepared, on which shall be
printed the names Of ali candidates properly divided
Fourth-One Of these sheets shall be delivered by
mail or messenger 10 each registered voter IN the
district. the sheet 10 be nclosed In envelope
sealed addressed 10 some proper officer. This en-
ve,ope be incosea IN another envelope, sealed
and addressed 10 the voter.
Flfth-Each voter shall ne requested by an in
closed note 10 max cross at each name he wishes
he a candidate. not OF his own party only but
for every party represented on the sheet
Slxth-After the sheet IL marked II Is 70 be placed
In the addressed envelope and sealed. This sealed
envelope T. be placed BY the voter himself In a box
at the courthouse or other proper place but before
depos.ting II shall give his name. and 1. mecca
sary, prove his identity. His name shall then be
checked the registry list by the officer IN charge
The box be OF such character that IL cannot be
stuffed or tempered with 20 have three or more
locks that must be unlocked before the box can b.
opened. The keys TO De distributed. one TO he de-
posted in the courthouse safe or other place
Of safety and the others 70 be IN under the
control OF responsible person OF each Of the prtn-
cpal political parties with the ministers OF di-
ferent denominations in tie district
Seventh-On a certain day The box 10 be opened in
the presence OF representatives OF all the political
parties, and from these sheets the different tickets
shall be prepared IN the form OF the blanket ballot
at present The persons ha wing the largest num-
Der OF votes TO be the candidates. each political
party's men being kept separate Of course.
This Will take nominations entirely out Of the
hands OF the bosses. and will enectuay prevent
such deals as Plat has from time 10 time made with
Croker. Then. too In this way the respectable
element OF society VIII have something 10 say about
who shall be the men 10 rule over II am in
the minority / think II lie only q matter Of right
and justice that shall have some voice In saying