The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-01-16

IL not oHIy laVorS, OUT logically ana IN
evltably, produces manipulation, schem-
ing, trickery, fraud and corruption. The
delegate elected in caucus is nominally
the agent of the voter to act for him in
convention. Too frequently he has his
own interests alone at heart and, for
this reason, has secured his selection as
delegate. AS a consequence he acts
not for the voter, but serves his own
purpose instead. This fact in itself
taints the trust from the outset, and
poisons the system at it's very source
No legitimate business could survive I'M
der a sy stem where authority to transact
its vital matters was delegated and re-
delegated to agents and subagents, who
controlled their own selection. construed
their own obligations, and were RESPONSE
bic to nobody.
Citizen Should Act for Hims elf.
1t is the essence Of Republican govern
ment that the citizen should act for him
self directly wherever possible. In the
exercise of no other right is this so inn
Dortant as i'll the nomination of candi-
dates for office. 1t is of primary impor
lance that the public official should hold
himself directly accountable to the citi-
zen. This he will only do when he owes
his nomination directly to the citizen.
If between the citizen and the official
there is a complicated system of caucuses
and conventions, by the easy manipula-
tion of which the selection of candidates
is controlled by some other agency OF
power, then the official will so render his
services as to have the approval of such
agency or power. The overwhelming
demand Of the people of this state, whom
you represent. is that such intervening
power and authority, and the compli-
Gated system which sustains it, shall be
torn down and cast aside. This it is your
duty and high privilege as well, to ac-
complish IN the session before you. This,
it is wells understood, cannot be accom-
pllshed by any tempOriZing measure or.
so-called scaucus. reforms. The defects of
the caucus, convention and delegate sys-
tenn are fatal because organic. 1t can
not be amended, reconstructed or reOr-
gained, and its perpetuation secured.
Its end is decreed by the enlightened
moral sentiment Of the entire country.
1t can no more resist the development
which is sweeping it aside than could the
adoption of the Australian ballot be sue
cessfully opposed a short ten years ago.
1t may secure tritiing delays by tempo
sist on making it fetch and being sac
ritced with it. But its knell has been
sounded in Wisconsin, where it is already
defeated, and a decade will leave scarce
ly a trace of its complicated machinery
in existence in any state in the Union
The demand Of the voter today is clear
and explicit. He asks that there be re-
stored to him the citizens right to vote
directly for the party nominee Of his
choice. He asserts that denial of this
right or doubt Of his ability to exercise
it, is an Impeachment of the principle
upon which state and national govern
ment is based. There is no valid objec-
ton which can be interposed to this rea
sonable demand upon the part of the cit
izen, and l submit that the Legislature
should primarily address itself to the
business Of framing law that shall ac
cord to him, III full measure. the SOW
ereign power of the ballot. The plan of
such legislation will not be found difficult
of practical application; The details
provisions of such legislation are to be
determined by the Legislature, not by
the executive department of the state
government. The legislation should be
so framed as to insure to each voter an
equal voice in the selection of the candi-
dates of his party, without let or him
drance ON the part of any man; accom-
panying this should be such provisions as
will insure an accurate registration and
determination of the will of the people
as expressed in such primary election.
Care should be taken that sufficient
time be given the voter carefully to con-
slider the character and merits of each
ID
hands Of the people.
When this has been DONE and not till
then, the mandate of the people, eX-
pressed at the polls last November, will
have been obeyed.
Reaching a Sound Conclusion.
A primary election conducted under
such a law will enable every voter to
express his personal choice by direct vote
for the candidates of his party. 1t will
take of his time but one visit. to the
election booth, and but long enough while
there to mark his ballot.
In the pursuit of his regular occupa
ton day by day, in the quiet of his home
under conditions the most favorable for
reaching a sound conclusion, the voter
will have time and opportunity to form
his opinion as to the merits of the vari-
GUS candidates, and a few moments, at
the most, ON primary election day will
tured judgment. How much more like
ly is the citizen to attend upon pri-
mary election under these circumstances
than to give up a considerable share of
the entire season III order to attempt to
express his preference through the uncer-
tain medium of an authority delegated
to one set of men selected in one set of
caucuses for county officers, another for
assemblymen, another for state senator's,
another for congressman, another for
state officers, each followed by nominal
ing conventions: caucuses, and cOnven-
tons as well, scene of confusion, wran-
Cling, dispute and disorder, where weak
men are badgered and corrupt men are
bought.
1t is to be expected that objection will
be interposed to any plan offered. 1t is
right that all objections should be fairly
considered. apprehend, however, that
very little time will be consumed OH your
INF fho Obi hot
primary election nominations would not
be distributed with reference to geogra-
ply or nationality. When primary cleo
tions are held upon the same day, there
is no opportunity for advantage by eth
CT party over the other in this respect,
and the selection of candidates will be
made upon considerations of greater inn
portance to the people than either the ma
tionality or place of residence of the can
didates