The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-10

The rule has been generally accepted
that political organizations should de-
tcrmine the qualifications of their own
members. The proposal to fix by law the
basis of membership In a political party
strikes men with astonishment. Yet the
state has gone so far in the recognition
OF parties that this step becomes signiti-
can't In some states it has already been
taken. That it is absolutely essential as
the first step in any real progress, be-
comes more and more apparent. 1t is
commonly known as the Kentucky
Flan," and provides for the official en-
rollment of all members of every political
party who desire to take part in the cau-
cuses and primaries of that party. A
more radical suggestion has been to abol-
ish conventions and have direct voting
at primaries for nominations. This plan
is not unknown in the south or west. The
proposition is an innovation on existing
systems of party government I'm the east.
1t is sometimes styled the Record Plan"
from its earnest advocate, George l..
Record, of New Jersey.
o
1t may be briefly described as the appli-
cation of the Australian ballot system to
caucuses and primaries. 1t abolishes all
conventions, and provides that nomna-
tions shall be made by direct vote of the
people. plurality nominates. The first
day Of registration is made primary or
nominating day. Only official ballots can
be used. Any fifty voters belonging to
any political party can sign a certificate
requesting the proper officer to print
upon an official primary ballot the name
of the person mentioned in the certificate
as a candidate of their party for any par
ticular office. The voter, on the day of
registration, goes to his place of regis
try, registers, announces his party afflia-
ton, receives from the board an official
ballot of his political party, enters the
booth, erases all names except that of
his chosen candidate for each nominal
tion, and deposits this ballot in the box.
The candidate having the plurality on
each party ticket is declared to be the
nominee of that party for the Office in
question; and his name is printed on the
official ballot of the party prepared for
the general election. The advantages
claimed for this plan are. %. General
and public notice of the time and place of
holding caucuses and primaries. (O.
Greater interest in caucuses and primar-
les. go. The selection Of better men as
candidates for office, or, rather. the selec-
tion of men under better conditions. (D,
This system sets apart a day for the Sc
lection of candidates. 90. The corruption
of the primaries would probably disap-
pear.
These are some of the proposed solu-
tions. No one may possess all the rem
ediai virtue claimed by its advocates; but
all shuld be granted earnest considera-
tion and fair judgment. The fibres of
American political life are closely in
tertwined with the framework of great
political parties. The one cannot be de-
stroyed without cutting down the other
to its very roots. This fact must be rec
ognized and not decried. The state must
protect these great engines of political
action from internal decay or external
destruction. They must no longer be the
tools or toys of the political bosses. The
right of every member of every political
party to the full use and enjoyment of
every piece of the party machinery must
| be protected. The state must assume the
task of this protection and perform the
duty to the fullest extent.