The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-04-29

co II has driven the people of the
state to a are-who-is-nominat
ed" attitude, and IL is by reason Of
that fact that the people have come
to understand that the slick gentle
men who know the game OF politics
are able. under the caucus system
to absolutely control the nominal
tons OF candidates for public Office
1t is therefore dangerous in the ex
IRENE.
ca 1t is costly The total expens-
es of delegates to conventions is
enormous. The amount paid by can
didates for the transportation of dele
gates would surprise you. Why should
candidate have to pay the expense
Of men to do their plain duty? The
poor man is practically barred from
holding public Office because he can
not pay the price which conditions
demand in order to make success
full campaign The selection of can
didates is limited to those who are
able to conduct such a campaign, and
transport delegates to the conven-
ton. Is all virtue, all ability to gov
ern centered in those who have
amassed wealth? The present sys-
tenn has made grafters out of good
men. One would be surprised at the
number of delegates elected who de-
mand that their expenses to state
and congressional conventions be
paid by the candidate.
go The convention which makes
the selection of candidates is not a
deliberative body, and its work does
not represent the calm delibeI alton
which it demands. 1t does represent
the superiority of means, the politi-
cal sagacity of the victor and the
machine, and Is a testimonial to the
power of organized politics in this
state The work of the convention is
the work of delegates responsible to
politicians. One important contest
usually engages their attention. The
other positions are handy and avail
able for trades and combinations
Take a typical state convention for
illustration. The night before, the
lobby Of the popular hotel is filled TO
OVERLOOKING, men crowding together,
talking excitedly, figuring on the
probable outcome. Rumors are plen-
tiful. Faithful henchmen of the can
didates are circulating in the crowd,
and stream of delegates are by
them piloted to the headquarters OF
] the candidates In rooms above. In
these various headquarters the dele
gate meets these candidates, who
greet him as a long lost brother. The
delegate is assured OF their high es
TEEN and regard, praised and compli
mented until he begins to wonder
why 1t Is that he had so long escaped
being sent to congress. He goes OIL
from headquarters to headquarteri
accommodating a stock of cigars an,
cheap praise, until tired by exertions
he seeks his rest
Then il Is that the masters OF tn,
situation are settling the matter o
the selection of candidates. Then
is that the trades are made, and tn
y plans for running the convention ar
y perfected.
! In the morning the delegate agai
/. finds the same confusion the sam
i uncertainty He repairs to the COZ
. vention hail. There the air is su
Z charged with excitement and mani
: featured enthusiasm The organic
:. ton is perfected. Nominations al
q called for. The best orators lau
s their candidates as the grandest or
q atoms Of God since the days
Y Adam. The ballot is taken, the r
O suit announced. The result is
IS accord with the solution worked OF
l. by the masters Of the situation, viii
4 the delegates were sleeping. TT
d delegates for few hours were SUI
r. Of being conscious OF acting indepe
S IDENTIFY. They were. In fact whit
d Gov. Hughes has so aptly terme
e registering machines to regist'
a the will OF the political bosses. The
4. In fact. had no more to do I'm sha
d ing the action OF that conyentiC
e than children unborn. These "regl
tering machines" were elected
" thinly attended caucuses manipuli
i. ed by political heelers. Many
e. them were transported to the co
n vention city upon money OF son
IT. candidate. That candidate tn
N blindly supported. Does n syste
ir which brings about the selection
Of candidates in such a manner tend
e. secure and perpetuate rule OF {
le people?
90 The caucus and convention S!
ne TEN is cumbersome and compile
a Consider It under most favorat
conditions, as II applies to the "
al leading parties. In president
he year. at least two caucuses are he
d. In each town for the election Of de
II