The independent., 1903-03-26

islatiye Office selected for them, in-5
stead of by them; and,
Whereas, 1t is well known fact
that these candidates are often Sc
lected, not because of their having
any decided and well known political
convictions, but because of their hav-l
ing no political convictions, or very
pliable ones, and because of their be-
ing therefore ready and willing to do
the bidding of the interests procur-
ing their nominations; and,
Whereas. Such candidates are se-s
lected and slated without any regard
whatever to the political desires and
preferences of the masses of the vot-
ers represented.
Therefore, We urge upon the pa
triotie voters Of each state to prepare
such bills to present to their state
legislatures as will do away, as far as
possible, with the delegate system,
and provide for direct nomination by
the voters in each party of all candi-
dates for legislative office; and to
that end we suggest the adoption at
all such nominating primaries of the
blanket ballet and booth system, now
in general use at the elections; and
the use of blank ballots with party
headings bearing the captions, For
Congress" For State Senator" and
For Assembly" with a blank under
each such caption for the name OF
the candidate desired by the primary
voter.
The principal object of this reform
is to make it to the interest of aspir-
ants for legislative Office to have de-
cided political convictions, and to de-
clare them in advance of the dates Of
nomination. But another purpose is
to make the party machine the assid-
uous and obedient servant, instead of
the insolent and dictatorial master of
the party voters; and to make the
machine do the will of the people, in
stead of compelling the people to do
the will of the machine.
If the act of voting at the primar-
les were made the only valid way of
the reform would be more complete,
because it would practically guaran-
tee full party vote at each such pri-
mary election.
CANDIDATES. ~a...
My choice of candidates on this
platform would be- for president,
TOM L. JOHNSON
of Ohio.
and for vice president,
,.l WILLIAM J. BRYAN -
-s of Nebraska.
And m
nominations are, that Mr.. Johnson.
has the confidence and admiration of
the one reform element, while Mr..
Bryan undoubtedly has the other; and
because Johnson is as truly and
prominently representative of the
first half of this platform as Bryan
is of the last.
I believe Mr.. Bryan to be possessed
OF more patriotism than ambition,
and to be more of statesman and an
American than politician or a party
man, and that he ought to have been
elected president. 1t is because of this
conviction regarding him that | be-
lieve Mr. Bryan's patriotism would
SO overshadow his personal ambition
as to induce him to accept second
place on this ticket if he thought it
his duty to his country to do it.
To put this matter of coalition to
an immediate test, I respectfully sug-
gest that every single taxer and
money reformer who favors this plat
form shall send his name, and, if pos
sible, his subscription &c the Nebraska
Independent, and urge the formation
OF Jeffersonian clubs pledged to the
political advancement of these prin-
ciples. JAMES BARTLEY.
Amsterdam, N. Y.
A great deal of inquiry has been
N q q h. T.,l