Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-05-05
THE CAUCUS SYSTEM.
Numerous Objections Set Forth by
Senator {. w. Gibson.

public officers by direct vote. The plan
was explained aud it was shown where
the idea has been adopted. 1t is the pur-
pose OF this article to set forth some OF
the objections to the caucus and conyen-
ton system.
The method now employed is nothing
more than q custom. The trainers Of oar
state constitution did not provide a meth
cd Of ascertaining the will OF the people
in the matter OF nominations, so we have
drifted in common with other states into
the present custom of doing so by way OF
caucus delegate system, recognized, in a
way, by statute.
While the evils of the system were
early apparent, We were, in the early days
OF its use, able to get along fairly we'll
under it, because the minds of the people
we're, in those days, kept keenly attuned
to the political conditions. Great ques-
tions were engaging their attention. The
great Civil war and the resulting prob
lens OF reconstruction, and the great
commercial development OF the nation
aud the problems connected Herewith,
all served to keep up the interest OF the
people in public matters. But these later
years, the age OF combinations, of uniting
certain lines OF business under gigantic
trusts carried to an extent characterized
by the attorney general in his recent
speech in Chicago as follows: "Whose
extent and unchecked growth threatened
the stability of free institutions" have
developed the real danger Of the further
continuance Of the system.
Let US consider the objections to the
present method:
az II subjects the choice of the people
to the control OF certain rules. A candi-
date must carry his town or county to
stand any show in The county or state
convention. Local jealousies serve many
times to prevent the people from having
the services OF able men in public posi-
tions. II has given certain effect to the
"nouutain rule" This is, in effect,
geographical rule which says in sub
stance, "The candidate may be an able
man, the best man for the position, but
the Republican party cannot nominate
him because be does not live where he
ought tn live. II be lived elsew here we
might call Tim to the public service.
The choice OF the people is thereby limit
ed. In no other state has this dangerous
rule gained such strength as in our state.
Is ability and qualification for Office
thing which shifts from the east to the
west side Of the state every two years
t2) It promotes the conduct OF an I'M
scrupulous pre-conyention campaign. IN
order to wage a successful campaign, the
candidate for governor must have repre-
scntatiyes in every county. That man is
the county "boss," as far as that candi-
dale is concerned. lie goes over the
county from time to time. keeps IA touch
with the situation, keeps the boys" ii
line, helps 20 plan the conduct of ( he eau
cuses and after the cnucuses are held eees
that all delegates favorable to his caudi-
date are sent to the convention. and their
expenses paid il necessary. He knows
I he game of politics so far as his county
is concerned. He is resourceful to the
end OF getting out to the caucus only his
and henchmen. He is past mas
ter in the art of caucus manipulation.
The method OF conducting these cam
paigns during the past rs years has
served to materially lower the standard OF
our political morality. The campaign is
not conducted with view OF allow ing all
the people to express their wish, but with
a view Of combining the election OF dele.
gates to the choice OF a few, and he few
being those favorable to one candidate.
(3) The choice of candidates by con-
vention system is a choice by delegates
subject to their own personal preiudices
by which they are controlled. They rep
resent the politicians responsible for their
election, and not the people as whole.
Their voice in the convention is voice OF
t he politician so responsible. Thereby a
rule OF the politicians, and net rule OF
the people, is encouraged.
az 1t is out of harmony with the
basic principle of every representative
government.
(5l 1t offers field for political fraud
and corruption. II offers the opportuni-
ty for control of the policy of the state
by few men. 1t made possible and
effectual the control OF the government of
this state by one corporation for over 80
years. II makes possible the rule OF ma
chine. The machinery it provides is
and requires the knowledge OF
an expert to run it. That expert is the |
local political 'tboss"
(6) 1t has driven the people OF the
state to "don't-care-w ho-is-nominatedn |
attitude, and it is by reason OF that fact
eANA hhN P~okAN nave NOAAAG " uuuEEHlhnu
that the slick gentlemen who know the
game Of politics are able, under the eau
Gus system, to absolutely control the 1
of candidates for public 4
office. 1t is therefore dangerous in the
extreme.
ca 1t is costly. The total expenses of /
delegates to conventions are enormous. 4
The amount paid by candidates for the /
OF delegates would surprise /
you. Why should a candidate have to
pay the expenses ofmen to do their plain /
duty The poor man is practically /
barred from holding public office because
be cannot pay the price which conditions
demand, in order to make a successful
The selection of candidates is
limited to those who are able to conduct /
luch campaign and transport delegates
70 the conventions. Is all virtue, all abiIi-
y to govern, eentered in those who have
lmassed wealth The present system has /
made grafters out of good men. One
would be surprised at the number of dele
gates elected who demand that their ex-
'enses to state and congressional conyen-
ions be paid by the candidates.
(S) The convention which makes the