The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-06-15

NJ IN
SENATOR JOSEPH B. FORAKER.
sumed itself to be the people, was the
house of representative of the United
States. From the beginning down to
1882 the house interviewed and took
from the people their prerogative 10
act freely in the presentation of can
didates for the presidency. At first
the representatives acted as caucus
for all the people and all parties and
named the candidates for whom the
people should vote. But soon the par
ties were in different camps, so 20
speak, and the members of congress
of each party held their own caucus
and named candidates to be voted for
by their own following. Formerly the
congress had committee of cores
pondence, whose duty it was to COM
municate with influential citizens OF
the several states in order that acqui-
essence and active cooperation might
be had over the country. When par
ties were formed, as almost immedi-
ately was the case, then each party
raised a congressional committee, and
these committees now continue in the
congressional campaign committees.
The first revolt from the congress
sional caucus was in 1908, when seven
teen members of the Republican"
caucus at Washington bolted the con-
gressional nomination. The state
legislatures then began to make nomi-
nations and congress as rule ratified
these. This continued through several
administrations but did not conform to
popular ideas.
In 1927 Niles Register foresaw the
coming change and said conventions
appointed by the people for a specific
purpose are not liable to the objections
which apply to legislative caucuses."
and advocated the national conven-
ton. But it did not come all at once,
but by slow degrees. The way was
pointed out by local conventions and
even by local legislatures. In 1882 tho
Jackson men had fully organized on
the convention plan and so had the
friends of Henry Clay. Both conven-
lions were held in Baltimore. Neither
party adopted platform, but at
ratification meeting of the supporters
of Clay a declaration was made OF
their political faith. Jackson was
platform in himself, for what his first
administration had been everybody
knew his second would be likewise.
He was triumphantly elected and as
his second term was ending he was
powerful enough to name his success
sor in advance of national conven-
ton, though a national convention
was finally held. 1t was convened at
Baltimore, and nominated Martin Van
Buren, for president, but as several or
the states had indicated their choice
respectively for candidate for vice
president, the convention made no
nomination for that Office. 1t adops-
ed no platform. The Wings held no
national convention, but at conven-
ton held at Albany N. Y, they adopt
ed the following resolutions: THAT
in support of our cause we invite all
citizens opposed to Martin Van Buren,"
and that the support we render to
William Henry Harrison is not be-
cause of his brilliant success in the
late war so much as on account OF
his craftsmanship and patriotism.
which are of the school of Washing
ton"
The Democrats also held meeting
in New York, at which they adopted
series Of resolutions which stood
through the campaign as kind OF
platform. The first resolution recited
the declaration of independence. and
the succeeding ones declared against
bank notes and paper currency as a
circulating medium. because gold
and silver is the only safe and constl-
sutional currency; hostility to any and
all monopolies; hostility to the dan
gerous and unconstitutional creation
of vested rights or prerogatives OF leg
islation; holding that each and every
law or act of incorporation passed by
preceding legislatures can be right
fully altered and repealed by their sue
cessors. and that they should be alter
ed OF repealed when necessary for the
public good and when required By =