The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-12-18

IaNNNNfAA@H 2FHsNNMH 0NNG10HAa ANNRAAN'
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Mr. Ford, OF Salem, has this plan
for holding a caucus Of Republicans:
Resolved. That II is the Judgment
Of this convention that all Republi-
cans should attend each legislative
caucus and confer, when called for the
purpose OF electing a United states
senator. and that whenever any per
son receives three-fourths OF the votes
necessary for an election in Joint con
yention, II shall be the duty Of all Re
publicans to vote for such candidate
for United States senator"
The above was adopted in the Ma.
rion county Republican convention
that nominated the legislative candi.
dates It was not debated at the time.
and was probably not considered by
many very seriously.
II is open to discussion. and there
are two features to it worth consider.
ing. It enunclates the sound principle
that all Republicans shall attend the
senatorial caucus. This all should
readily agree to, and in this respect Il
differs vitality from Mr.. Fulton's prop
o siuon.
Mr. Fulton proposes virtually a eau
Gus Of 46. in which, according 70 the
majority rule. only "a would be re
qulred to bind the action Of the eau.
Gus. Mr.. Fulton would not object to
all Republicans going into caucus
but he is advocating a caucus Of
46 Republicans.
But Mr. Ford's caucus has a condi-
ton put upon its deliberations. which
Of course. can only be binding upon
the eight Republicans from Marion
county. and If they went into Mr.. Full.
toms caucus of 46 they would not be
bound by it's decision.
Mr.. Fords condition Is no more just
than Mr. Fulton's condition. in our
opinion, because If one man may make
condition upon which he will go in.
to his party caucus. another may. and
so may all.
Now all conditional caucuses may
be broken by other conditions. 50 that
the only remedy for these qualified
and limited caucuses Is an unlimited
and unqualified caucus.
That kind Of caucus would be
whore all Republicans went into eau.
Gus without signing any kind Of an
agreement, and reached a conclusion
by a majority vote according TO a
method Of voting adopted by them.
selves.
That IS the general custom Of eau.
cusing, and is the only fair and per.
manent and abiding rule that will
wear well in the long run. Since An.
glo-saxon forefathers founded self.
government in the forests and morass.
IS OF Northern Europe that has been
he rule-the binding rule.
Shall there be a qualified and con.
1itional. caucus, or shall Oregon Re
1ublicans return to the plain and sim.
,le way Of right. whore each man Is
he equal of his fellow within the par.
ty? Time will tell.
All signed, qualified and limited
0aucuses have led to disruption Of the
,arty, corruption OF its representa-
ives and disgust and dlstrust among
he people.
Why should not the majority party
'eturn to the more honest plan Of hold.
ng senatorial oaucuses followed in
'owa, Ohio. New England and other
'olid aud representative Republican
states?
Do the aspirants for the senatorship
want an expensive deadlock OF the leg.
lslature. and paralysis Of all the leg.
Islative functions. and defeat OF the
important reform measures promised
the people?
We cannot believe they do. Then
they should not ask for a signed,
sealed and delivered caucus before
consenting that their friends shall go
into one. We. believe this better sen.
fIy,apt ,t,iu v,ra,,agt