The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-08
THE CAUCUS LAW.

One more deed we'll done. One
more party pledge performed. In
other words. caucus law enacted.
1t may not be the best known, it may
not be so good as some one of the
bills on the same subject which were
presented, it may not and probably
does not suit perfectly a great many
members OF the legislature. But it
is probably the best that could be pro-
duced under the existing conditions.
Where there are so many varying
ideas on subject as on that of a
caucus law in the present General
Assembly, it is impossible to do other
wise than to attempt to get the best
by sort of composition method, TAX
ing suggestions from all and embody-
ing them as we'll as possible in one
connected whole The method does
not always result in the most perfect
legislation. 1t did not in the case of
the license law two years ago. The
conditions under which the two bills
were passed being in some sense the
same, in that warning factions and
conflicting theories had to be dealt
with and pacified in order to secure
passage at all. 1t is, however,
question of practical legislation.
This bill is simple and short Its
purpose is right and it should do
ba of ho
present caucus system in that it
should prevent the members of one
party from participating in the eau
cuses Of both, and it should prevent
bribery for caucuses and conventions
even as at elections at present. 1t is
right that Republicans alone-men
who are willing to be known to the
world as publicans-should govern
the affairs of that party, and that
Democrats alone-who are willing to
be known as such-should govern the
affairs Of the Democratic party. Those
Republicans and those Democrats
must bear the responsibility for the
acts of their respective parties. They
ought 70 have the right to say for
what they will be responsible. This
law will hinder no man from voting
as his conscience directs at the cleo.
tion, but it will prevent a man who
is unwilling to avow any party ties
from meddling with the international
government of the parties which he
deigns not to affiliate himself with in
the open
Another feature of the bill which
is praiseworthy is that which provides
for the holding of the caucuses for the
same purpose all on the same night
throughout the State, This will pre-
vent or nullify to a large extent the
effectiveness Of the methods of certain
kinds of politicians who have made it
their business to go from town to
town just before the caucuses RS they
occurred on different evenings and
fix" things for their candidates
1t will, moreover, prevent snap"
caucuses, another Of the evils of the
present system.
OF course the Democrats were OPP
posed to this bill. 1t was a party
measure. The Republican party was
pledged to enact caucus law. Two
years ago the pledge was practically
the same and it was not fulfilled
owing to the efforts of the Democrats
and disgruntled Republicans. The
Democrats have tainted the Republi-
cans with this broken pledge ever
since. Had they been able to stir up
dissension enough this year in the
Republican ranks to prevent the pas
sage of caucus law their cup of joy
would have been full They failed.
Republioanism prevailed, And we'll
in ia that in did