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

gates to attend state and congress
sional convention, for the election Of
delegates to the national convention.
Six conventions, three democratic
and three republican. are held for the
purpose of selecting these candidates
AT least two eaucuses In each town
are held for the election of delegates
to state and congressional conyen-
tions. 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 for coun-
ty conventions Twenty-eight county
conventions throughout the state are
held for the selection of candidates
for county Offices Two caucuses in
each town are held for the purpose
of nominating candidates for repres-
entation to the General Assembly
and justices of the peace. This
makes 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 ascer-
tanning the will of the people as to
the candidate for their public posit-
ions. This could be more directly
and definitely ascertained as to all
these positions excepting possibly
egates to national conventions, by
one meeting, at which the people
would be allowed to express their
wish in a simple, direct manner.
Would it be possible for an intelli-
gent person, one fully familiar with
civics and politics, to originate a
more complex, cumbersome and alb
surd system for the selecting of can
didates for office, than the one un-
der which we are now doing SO?
(10) The most serious objection to
the present system is, that IL permits
La few to rule the many. 1t makes
our much boosted theory of self gov
eminent a farce. In this state no
mination by the republican 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 voice in choosing our
officials. Less than ten per cent
throughout the state. Why does
such condition obtain? Note this
picture of a caucus in a town having
republican voting strength OF over
twelve hundred voters. Twenty-Five
men are gathered for the caucus A
list of names of delegates has beer
prepared in advance by two OF three
men in conference. AS soon as the
, caucus Is called to order, some one
: moves that a committee be appointed
to prepare and present list OF dele
gates. The motion is carried ant
+ strangely enough, the man who hai
] brought the prepared list to the eau
] Gus, is a member of that committee
5 The committee brings in the identica
1 list prepared in advance and the me
!, named there on are promptly decla
ed elected. The average voter ha
e come to understand that he has Il
4 real voice in the selecting OF thes
/ delegates Canvass the men who d
e not attend the caucuses. and min
e ont of ten will tell you they renal
away because Of the cut and drie
n manner with which the caucuses al
e conducted Such conditions as pr
n vail under the present system mig
r be expected in some countries b.
u hardly in a republic OF the twentiei
a. century. Still some thank God fe
re vently that we live in state whe
ID the people rule. Those who do S
e should amend their prayer to co
Of 10. 20 the facts. If they so amer
e. they will thank their God that tn
In live in a state where a handful
1t politicians, through the caucus al
lie convention system, are permits
lie year after year to name our publ
re officials and to fool the people in
n. believing that they really have son
at voice Ia public matters, by perm
d, ting them at election time. to rati
er the politicians choice at caucus tin
~ The politicians do not trouble abo
p elections If they are permitted
IN make the nominations.
is Respectfully,
at T. w. Gibson.