The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-04-29

Then il is that the masters OF the situa'
ton are settling the matter OF the seec-
tion OF candidates. Then II ~ that the
trades are made, and the plans Tor run
ming the convention are perfected
In the morning the delegate again hnds
the same confusion, the same uncertainty.
He repairs to the convention hall. Ihere
the air is surcharged with excitement ana
manufactured enthusiasm. The orgahiza,
,ion Is perfected. Nominations are called
for, The best orators laud their candi,
dates as the grandest creations OF God
since the days of Adam. The ballot Is
taken. the result announced. The result
i in accord with the solution worked
ont by the masters Of the situation. whle
the delegates were sleeping. The delegates
for few hours were sure OF being T con
were in fact what G5s has so
APPLY termed, registering macn,n..' :,
register the will of the political bosses
They, in fact, had no more to do In snap
ing the action of that convention than
children unborn. These registering ma.
chimes" were elected at thinly attended
caucuses manipulated by political heelers
Many of them were transported to the
convention city upon money OF some can
didate That candidate they blindly sup.
ported. Does a system which brings about
the selection of candidates in such man
ner tend to secure and per- etuate rule
of the peopleg ~
(9) The caucus and con ention system
is cumbersome and complex. CONSIDER
it under most favorable conditions, as II
applies to the two leading parties. In
a presidential year, at least two caucuses
are held in each town for the election OF
IL. 10 ~ OF
sional convention, for the election of dele
gates to the national convention. Six
conventions, three democratic 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 congress
sional conventions. Six conventions are
held for the selection of candidates for
state officers and congressman. At least
two caucuses in each town are held for
the election of delegates to county con-
ventions. Twenty-eight county conven-
lions throughout the state are held Tor
the selection of candidates for county
Offices. Two caucuses in each town are
held for the purpose of nominating candi,
dates for representation to the General
Assembly and justices, OF the peace. ms
makes a total Of eight caucuses in each
town and forty conventions in various parts
Of the state, with all the expenses incident
to the same, all for the simple purpose
of ascetraining the will of the people as to
the candidate for their public positions.
This could be more directly and definitely
ascertained as to all these positions, ex-
cepting possibly delegates to national con-
yentions, by one meeting, at which the
people would be allowed to express Their
wish in a simple direct manner. Would
Il be possible for an intelligent person,
one fully familiar with civics and politics
to originate a more complex, cumbersome
and absurd system for the selecting OF
candidates for Office, than the one under
which we are now doing so?
(1O) The most serious objection to the
present system is, that it permits few
to rule the many. It makes our much
boosted Theory of self government farce. ,,
In this state a nomination by the repubil-
can party is equivalent to an election.
Therefore at the republican caucus, we
really choose our public officials. What
per cent of republican voters then, really
have a voice in choosing our officials! Less
than ten per cent throughout the state.
What does such a condition obtain? Note
this picture of caucus in town having |
a republican voting strength OF over twelve |
hundred voters. Twenty-Five men are
rathered for the caucus. A list OF names
Of delegates has been prepared in advance
by two or three men in conference. AS
soop as the caucus is called to order, some
one moves that committee be appointed
10 prepare and present list of delegates