The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-09
Condemns Trading Evils
of Convention System

publican State convention shah sur
render its right of government. IL
is only fair TO admit that the conven-
ton system as now conducted develops
some evils for which misrepresenta-
ton Of the people is not wholly re-
sponsible, although the evils are great
ly aggravated thereby. BY far the
worst OF these evils IS the making Of
combinations whereby nominations
cease to represent the honest prefer
ences Of a majority OF the delegates
or worse. The adoption OF this prac-
tlce In State conventions is the pro-
Inc parent OF immune able abuses. bat
IN particular Il facilitates domination
by bosses and corporate interests. II
these interests can succeed at the be-
ginning in controlling absolutely only
a small minority of the delegates they
may hope. by making a series OF trad
ing combinations, 10 capture the more
important nominations and even to
dictate for their own benefit the Sc
courts. Further than this political de-
noralization could hardly go while
keeping up even pretense OF self
government by the people.
HIS CONCLUSIONS
In viii be observed that the direct
nominating State candidates, has not
yet adv anced beyond the experimental
stage, the existing laws being conced-
ed BY their makers to call Tor amend
ment. The objection oftenest urged
against a direct primary law which
dispenses with COW entfons are that il
tends TO a multiplication Of candidates
and hence to the making OF many
nominations by small factions OF the
electorate; that the largest centers OF
population IN a State and the largest
OF the nominations. because their votes
VIII be more concentrated than those
OF the rural districts; that the ex-
pense TO candidates. already too great
under the old plan. viii be largely
increased; that without conventions
there win be no good way Of making
party platforms, the Wisconsin plan
OF having the candidates meet after
their nomination and frame the plat
form, being open 10 objection On the
other hand, IT is argued that the new
system viii naturally be improved and
that all OF the objections before men
toned can be overcome; also. that the
voters could wei afford to put up with
q good many disadvantages TO get rid
Of the evils Of convention nominations
effected by trading and Of unrepre-
sentative party committees. As TO
whether the direct primary viii abol-
ish bossism, opinions differ consider
ably, but in fairness II must be con-
ceded that II the boss Is not DESTROYED
by direct nominations the most profit
able field for the exercise of his arts
VIII be removed with the passing of
the convention.
To sum up, have pointed out that
the present method OF making nomina-
tons in California is susceptible Of
marked Improvement: that the direct
election by the people of all delegates
would be long step in the right di-
rection; that the Illinois primary law
which permits voters to vote for can
didates as well as for delegates, might
be added to our convention system
with beneficial results, as might prob
ably be done without constitutional
amendment; that the reform Of the
party committee organization is also
a necessity; that If il be decided not
TO attempt to reform the existing
methods but TO cast them aside and
establish the direct primary in its fun
vigor, there is at least a fair probable
ity that the new plan would be sue
cesstul, although constitutional
amendment would be needed to accom-
plish Il, and therefore we should be
compelled TO wait two wears before
results could be obtained
recommend the careful and con-
scientious attention of the Legislature
10 this matter, as demanded bv the
party platforms and the people Of the
State.