Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-05-06


eminent.
(5) 1t offers field for political fraud
and corruption. 1t offers the opportu-
nifty for control of the policy of the
state by few men. 1t made possible
and effectual the control of the govern
ment of this state by one corporation
for over thirty years. 1t makes posi-
bic the rule of the machine. The ma
chinery it provides is complex and re-
quires the knowledge of an expert to
run it. The expert is the local political
"boss.
(6) 1t has driven the people of the
state to a "don t-care- who-is-nominat-
ed' attitude, and it is by reason of that
fact that the people have come to under
stand that the slick gentlemen who
know the game of politics are able, I'M
der the caucus system to absolutely con-
troll the nominations of candidates for
public office. 1t is therefore dangerous
in the extreme.
ca 1t is costly. The total expenses
of delegates to conventions is enormous.
The amount paid by candidates for the
prise you. Why should a candidate
have to pay the expenses of men to do
their plain duty? The poor man is prac-
tically barred from holding public office
because he cannot pay the price which
conditions demand, in order to make
successful campaign. The selection of
candidates is limited to those who are
able to conduct such a campaign, and
transport delegates to the convention.
Is all virtue, all ability to govern cen
tered in those who have amassed
wealth? The present system has made
grafters out of good men. One would
be surprised at the number of delegates
elected who demand that their expenses
to state and congressional conventions
be paid by the candidate.
(8) The convention which makes the
selection of candidates is not delibera-
tive body, and its work does not repre-
sent the calm deliberation which it de-
mands. 1t does represent the superior
ity of means, the political sagacity of
the victor and the machine, and is tes-
timonial to the power of organized poll
tics in this state. The work of the con-
ventions is the work of delegates re-
sponsible to politicians. One important
contest usually engages their attention
The other positions are handy and avail
able for trades and combinations.
Take 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 prob
able outcome. Rumors are plentiful.
Faithful henchmen of the candidates are
circulating in the crowd, and a stream
of delegates are by them piloted to the
headquarters of the candidates in rooms
above. In these various headquarters
the delegate meets these candidates,
who greet him as long lost brother.
The delegate is assured of their high es-
TEEN and regard, praised and compli-
mented until he begins to wonder why
it is chat he had so long escaped being
sent to congress. He goes on from
headquarters to headquarters accumu-
lating stock of cigars and cheap
praise, until tired by exertions, he seeks
his rest.
Then it is that the masters of the stu
alton are settling the matter of the Sc
lection of candidates. Then it is that
the trades are made, and the plans for
running the convention are perfected.
In the morning the delegate again
finds the same confusion, the same I'M
certainty. He repairs to the conven-
ton hall. There the air is surcharged
with excitement and manufactured en-
thusiasm. The organization is perfect
best orators laud their candidates as the
grandest creations of God since the
days of Adam. The ballot is taken, the
result announced. The result is in ac-
cord with the solution worked out by
the masters of the situation, while the
delegates were sleeping. The delegates
for few hours were sure of being con-
scious of acting independently. They
were, in fact, what Gov. Hughes has so
aptly termed, registering machines"
to register the will of the political
bosses. They, in fact, had no more to
do in shaping the action of that conven-
ton than children unborn. These reg
istering machines" were elected at thin
ly attended caucuses manipulated by
political heelers. Many of them were
transported to the convention city upon
money of some candidate. That candi-
date they blindly supported Does a
system which brings about the selection
of candidates in such manner tend to
secure and perpetuate rule of the peo-
pie?
(9) The caucus and convention system
is cumbersome and complex. Consider
it under most favorable conditions, as it
applies to the two leading parties. In
a presidential year, at least two eau
cuses are held in each town for the cleo
ton of delegates to attend state and
congressional convention, for the cleo
ton of delegates to the national conven-
ton. Six conventions, three democra-
tic and three republican, are held for the
purpose of selecting these candidates.
At least two caucuses in each town are
held for the election of delegates to
state and congressional conventions.
Six conventions are held for the selec-
ton of candidates for state officers and
congressman. At least two caucuses
in each town are held for the election Of
delegates to county conventions. Twen-
ty-eight county conventions throughout
the state are held for the selection of
candidates for county offices. Two eau
cuses in each town are held for the pur-
pose of nominating candidates for rep
) resentation to the General Assembly
and justices of the peace. This makes
. total of eight caucuses in each town
) and forty conventions in various parts