The Detroit times., 1910-10-31

I
Of English practice, and which had
ruled the country from the beginning
It's indirect result was 10 establish
the American system OF political party
organization. which in the course Of
years has developed political
olgarchy OF greater and lesser bosses
against whom insurgency now threat
ems destruction
The movement which resulted in
the triumph or the Jacksonian demOc-
racy in 1895 had its definite beginning
three years earlier In 1920 Monroe
had been elected president by unan-
imous vote. The congress elected in
1922 had forty Democrats in the SEN
ate against eight opposition members.
and in the house there were al Demo.
Gratis as against 70 opposition mem.
bers. The majority of these non
Democrats were known as Federalists,
although many Of them called them
selves anti-Monroe Democrats As a
matter OF fact they were not organ
lied and there was practically but one
party in existence.
Until that time nominations for
president and vice-president had been
made by partisan caucuses OF the
there were two parties Of approximate
ly equal strength this system was sat
isfactory because IL was calculated 70
secure harmonious party support for
the chosen standard bearer. But as
the Federalist party became more and
more ineffective, the conflicting ambi-
tons OF Democratic leaders brought
the causes into the disrepute. No am
bilious leader was willing 70 leave the
choice to caucus susceptible 10 the
influences OF wire-pulling when there
was abundant opportunity 70 carry the
matter TO the states for final decision.
There had been no effort TO estab-
fish a uniform method OF choosing
presidential electors In the several
states, and the whole system was
chaotic. The electors were chosen b.
general state ticket, according to the
now established uniform practice. I'm
some OF the states; while In others
they were elected by districts. and In
others they were chosen by the leSis-
lature. in each state one Of these
three methods would be selected for
each presidential election, according to
the judgment OF the leaders Of the
majority In the state legislature, a
judgment always based upon consid-
erations Of party welfare. As re-
suit, the people az a whole took little
interest In the presidential elections
and were concerned with state poll
tics, almost 20 the utter exclusion or
national afeirs. II was generally ac'
cepted that the leaders at Washington
would choose the president, and that
the people had no business TO inter
fere with their choice.
Although the adoption Of the con
stitution had set up a government dif-
fering radically In form from that OF
England. It was impossible for Eng
lish colonists instantly 20 shake OF
the Influence Of British institution.
There were two parties in England,
bat both Of them were represented tn
all phases Of political acti,ity by gen
tlemen who were acknowledged TO Uc.
cupy a position socially superior 10
the common people. These gentlemen
and their class. regardless of their
partisan affiliations. were then and
still are known az the governing class.
This practice was followed In the Am
erican republic The Federalists
Adams,-Jay and Marshall. "a we44-as
the Democrats Jefferson, Madison and
Monroe. were all social aristOcrats.
However radical may have been Mr.
fefferson's Democratic political the
cries, and however far he may have
gone IN decrying the superiority Of
the aristocrats, he was by birth and
education a representative Of the rul-
| fng classes,
In the generation Of political lead
] err which appeared on the stage in