Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-31

coming caucus that will choose candidates
for the republican county ticket so far
as this city Is concerned The names OF
these upright citizens and choice exemplars
of civic righteousness are on the check
list, and we propose to publish to the
world the names OF the democrats who
take part in any Of the republican eau
cuses under the new law in order that
they may he dealt with their turpitlde
will deserve politically and otherwise.
| II is evident from the necessity of meas
lures OF this character that the new eau
Gus law instead of being too restrictive Is
not restrictive enough to accomplish the
chief purpose OF caucus laws.
| In the light OF this situation ii may be
profitable, II not interesting to note the
manner in which different political organ-
zations helped to bring about the passage
of the present caucus act
| Il will be remembered that IN 1902 the
pla tforms of the republican and demo-
cratic and Clement parties all demanded
a caucus Jaw, and the "gravamen of the
offence II we may quote that term.
against the old system, was that demo-
| Gratis hpd been voting IN republican eau
cuses. and vice-versa. The Legislature OF
| 1902 failed to pass any kind of caucus
law. Both the democratic and republican
and when the Legislature convened there
| were introduced several caucus measures
and primary election laws. These were
all referred to the special caucus law
committee. composed on the part of the
House of one member from each county,
including three democrats O'Sullivan of
st. Adams city, Bullard OF Burlington.
and Bailey of Barre town. There were a
number Of, meetings of the caucus law
committee and 1t was difficult TO get
together on any plan. Finally the best that
could be done was to draft the bill
that became a law.
That bill passed the Senate and was
sent to the House On November II. and
on the same day it was referred to the
special caucus committee. This bill was
| reported favurably from the special eau
Gus committee without amendment on
November 81. Neither democrats nor any
other members of the committee made any
or amendment.
| On December first the bill came up for
the third reading There was considerable
discussion. but no amendment nor sub
sttuto was offered by anybody. 1t was
| that caucus law or nothing as neither
democratic members nor any others I'M
dertook to amend the bill in any parti-
cular The Republican party had pledged
itself to pass caucus law. 1t had this
bill reported to the House, and it was
before the House for action The COM
mittee had been careful to insert the
provision that the law should only be
used in towns upon petition Of at least five
per cent of the voters, a very salutary
provision. as has already been DEM
onstrated.
! 1t is safe to say that the present
caucus law is as perfect in its details
| as was the first secret ballot law
passed in Vermont, and 1t is also safe
to say that the people of Vermont will
not be likely to abandon this law,
| particularly in view OF the fact that
II IS used only In towns where the
need of its protection is strongly felt.
| The caucus reform law viii be amend
ed as desired and kept on the statutes
IL Is gratifying to note that in many
towns In Vermont democrats would
blush to go into republican caucuses,
and in towns where those conditions
! prevail there is little need Of law
TO keep democrats out Of republican
caucuses.