Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-08-13
CAUCUS LEGISLATION.

engrossing a part OF the state press
1t is a fitting time to discuss this i'm
portant matter. Il can be considered
now on its merits without being pref
udiced by the existence of canvass OF
campaign, with their distractions. II
is not a new subject, alas. If conven.
ton pledges were always performed,
Vermont would now have on its
statute books a caucus law, in answer
TO the united voice Of the state, almost.
But il hasn't, and inasmueh as the
reasons therefor may have more or
less bearing in future let us review
recent history little.
No doubt dwelt in the mind of any
legislator who went to Montpelier
last fall as to his duty toward a caucus
law. He was under both implied and
explicit obligation to frame and pass
such a measure. Notwithstanding
nothing was done, and we are just
where we were before last years
Illuminating campaign. Caucuses
must still be held in the old way, with
all its possibilities OF dishonesty and
corruption. At the last session, the
duty was shirked until the final mo-
ment, then bill was sent in that con-
tanned radical provisions, certain to
meet with active and prolonged oppo-
sition. This bill passed the Senate,
but in the House was shorn OF its
strength as regulative measure and
returned to the Senate in the form OF
mere penalty provision for the bribing
OF voters at caucuses. The Senate
to insist on the original
bill, the House refused to yield and
the bill failed altogether. The blame
cannot be fixed on any man, men or
party. All had a hand in it through
their own inertia. The bill offered at
the eleventh hour was so faulty that it
deserved the fate it met. To ask free
men to declare months ahead of the
caucus period what their political
will be and to hold them to
this declaration when it comes to nam
ing candidates is a curtailment of
their rights. To leave this enrolment
in the hands of such nebulous, un-
willing and unpaid boards as political
is to trifle with a serious
matter in a way that might prove
serious indeed. Yet these were
among the strange provisions of the
only bill offered. When, with all the
obligations that rested on them last
tall, and a full consciousness of the
duty expected, a majority of the men,
bers were willing to 60 home and
leave that duty undone rather than to
support such a bill, it is clear that fu-
ture caucus legislation must proceed
along very different lines if it is to
amount to anything.
While the voters are willing to sub
nit to some personal annoyance for
the sake OF insuring purity of the
they are not willing to sacri-
fee any essential rights, or to run the
danger of so doing. The secrecy OF
the ballot is justly considered of prime
Importance by the voter, and nothing
should be done to abrldge it. Every |
should be open to the
voter to frame his political ideas and |
opinions without let or hindrance
from law or anybody. When he has
July studied the questions at issue,
ne should be permitted to assist in the
,hoice of candidates representing
hose ideas. It really matters not how
ong he has acted with a certain party.
f he means to support its candidates
IS matter of principle he is entitled