Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-04-15
WAS THE CUSTOM IN THE
NORTH, OR IN MASS CONVENTION

WAS THE CUSTOM IN THE
NORTH, OR IN MASS CONVENTION
as was the custom In other portions
OF the country. Governors were
nominated by the legislatures. fresh
from and instructed by the voters
themselves. But these systems
proved unsatisfactory and later gave
way to conventions, county, state
and national. For a time the con-
vention worked satisfactorily. 1t was
system of gradual evolution. No
objection was urged against It during
the earlier stages OF, It's existence.
but by degrees and without authority
OF law CONVENTIONS BEGAN To
USURP THE FUNCTIONS OF THE
PEOPLE, no longer receiving in
structions from them but instead
pledging the people what the candi-
dates nominated by them wouli
stand for when elected. Delegates
TO state and national conventions
soon began to. be elected by dele.
gates. and instead OF receiving In
structions from the people, acted up
on their own initiative and adopted
platforms at the dictation of those
in control OF parties. SO debased
had become the convention system
In 1874, so dominated by corrupt
and partisan influences that John c.
Calhoun refused to permit his name
to be considered for the Presidency
and Issued an address TO the country
In which he said, 4 hold II lmpossl-
BILE to form a scheme more perfectly
calculated to annihilate the control
OF the people over the Presidential
election and vest Il I'm those WHO
MAKE POLITICS A TRADE AND
WHO LIVE OR EXPECT To LIVE
ON THE GOVERNMENT
The majority of delegates to the
county conventions are usually
secretly named by the chairman Of
the state committee. the delegates
to the state convention are usually
slated for election before the conyen-
tion meets by the same power. and
the delegates 10 the national oonyen-
tion are selected in the same way
As all OF these delegates are named
by the machine, so the machine In
turn Is dictated 10 and controlled by
a corrupt boss who In turn in owned
body and soul by plutocracy, by fran
chlse grabbers. By trusts, by the bene
fioiaries OF special privilege. and
therefore WE HAVE A GOVERN
MENT OF A FEW, AND THOSE
FEW or THE RAIrACIoUs AND
PREDATORY CLASSES.
What has been the result OF this
surrender OF the peoples rights and
the substitution OF a government by
a corrupt political machine, manipu-
lated. owned and controlled by pluto
oraoy. protected interests and the
privileged classes? We have but 10
glance at the head lines OF the daily
papers from every section Of the
country 10 learn THAT OFFICIALS.
NATIONAL. STATE AND MUNICH
PAL, ARE BEING PROSECUTED
FOR CORRUPT PRACTICE, for re-
oeiving bribes and for malfeasanee
In once, and Joined with them are
those who are the benefciaries OF
special legislation OF one Kind and
another who have here. there and
everywhere made use Of money 20
bribe and corrupt those upon whom
deyOlyed the administration OF az
fairs. From San Francisco to New
York and from the Great Lakes 20
the Gulf OF Mexico the same condition
OF things exists. and II may all b
traced 20 the debasement Of the CON
yentiOn system and the nomination
and election Of men EubseTyient 10
the win OF the party boss and the
political machine.
Five times. / believe. In the his
tory Of the country bills have passed
the house Of representatives looking
10 the submission 20 the voters Of an
amendment 10 the constitution pro-
yidins for the election Of senator's BY