The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1906-09-12
WHY BOOTH-BOYD
RULE WAS AOOP TED
TT WAS TO COMPEL CANDIDATES
TO HAVE A DECENT REGARD
FOR THEIR OBLIGATIONS.

There does not seem to be any
thing that can be said in detehse
either of the secret ballot in the con- |
ventios or the requirement of personal
presence and oath of allegiance to the |
party in the convention except that
the majority of the party seems to de-
mand both" said a Fourth District
delegate this morning, in discussing
the Booth Boyd resolution of last
night.
"But to attack the requirement OF
personal attendance at the convention
on the part of candidates and pubic
adhesion to it's rulings and platform on
| the ground that it is simply machine
| effort to crowd out certain candidates
even the best candidates-is to ignore
the facts that have made the rule pos
sible, and to make a purely personal
matter of a thing that is essentially a
matter of principle.
THE rule proposed at the Fourth
District caucus last highs is nothing
new. It is simply an effort to re-enact
a rule that has prevailed in the Repub-
lican party conventions for three or
four years-possibly more. If 1t were
something new, it is doubtful if II
would have found such ready accept
ance. AS it was adopted by large
vote of those present there is no rea-
son to suppose it was intended espe-
cially to crowd out any individuals as
the votes it took to carry the resolu-
ton and will take to carry it in the
convention, would be quite sufficient
to crowd out any candidates that
could possibly be aimed at by the res
olution itself.
But there is no doubt that what
commended it to the meeting last
night and what commends it to those
who were represented at the meeting
Is the fact that It has long been the
rule of Republican conventions in this
Territory,
"In any well directed effort to abol-
ish the rule, therefore, consideration
of the causes that led to the adoption
! of the rule in the first place, VIII be OF
/ value. The rule was originally adopt
ed because experience had shown that
there was not a very strong sentiment
of fealty to the party, and no SCENTS
ment at all, apparently. that the subs
mission of claims for party nominal
ton to the party convention, involved
I any obligation to abide by the decision
J There was neither party loyalty nor
. decent regard for the obligations one
g assumed when he sought the nomina
ton of a party or a convention.
t ''The rule was adopted in an effor
4 to substitute the publicly given wore
e of the individual for the ordinary de-
. cencies and obligations Of political or
ganization, which seemed 90 be entire
! ly wanting The rule was a fearful
o commentary on the state of public sen
- timent that existed hero IN regard t
G political obligations. It assumed tina
o no man was bound to good faith un
less he had publicly given his word
Actions, and the obligations arisinl
\ from help asked and accepted, wen
for nothing. Only the publicly givei
, word could be counted on, and not al
ways that. But it was the nearest t
$ obligation that could be eXacted, AM
Y so this rule with sons others auxil
p lary to it-rules which would neve
be thought of on the, mainland wher
the same low state of confidence an
recognition of obligation does not eX
list.
1.-THE rule is a de'.oicabie one. 1t in
dicates a low state of public sentimen
= in the matter of individual obligatio
i to ones fellows i'm matters Of publ
g concern.
y "But it is not the rule but the neces
a sity for the rule that Is to be lament
70 ed, SO long as the public sees nothin
s out of the way in a change Of part
n politics unblushingly based on immC
e date personal interest; so long a
o there is no Jar of public sensibilities
a man seeking nomination from OF