The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1912-05-31
THE CONVENTION SYSTEM
A Method Full Of Faults and
ETTOTS.
As TOLD BY The FIGURES
Preference Primary the Remedy,
Says Prof. Potts.

That the convention system in use
in the United States at present is not
one of which the American people
can be proud is clearly shown in a
carefully prepared article, by Pro-
lessor Potts of the University of
Texas, published in the May number
OF the American Review OF Reviews.
With the exception OF a few states
which have presidential primary laws,
the business OF nominating the candi.
dates for president in both the
Republican and Democratic parties is
so far usurped by machine politicians
and so far removed from the people
that the voice of the people in the
last stage OF the process is, to all in-
tents and purposes. inaudible.
In the first place the basis Of
representation is unjust and indie.
fensible. Says the article:
''The states are given representa-
tion in the national conventions, not
according to the party vote or
strength of party sentiment 10 the
several states, but according to their
vote in the electoral college-two
delegates for each elector."
Columns Of figures are given show
ing unequal representation allowed
the southern states as compared with
northern states, when considering
the republican vote of 1908. On this
the article says:
In Ohio each delegate to the
national convention represents II, 900
Republican voters, while a delegate
from South Carolina represents 22O.
1n other words, 220 Republicans in
South Carolina have as much voice 10
!. dominating candidate for the high
office of President as nearly $4,000
Republican voters in Ohio. Man for
man, the South Carolina Republican
has fifty-four times as much influence
in the councils Of his party-and
through his party, in controlling
the destinies Of the nation-as does
the average Republican in Ohio.
Similarly 2lS Mississippi Republicans
are equal to 1000 members OF the
party 10 Michigan"
Further on, the article informs US
that the average of Intelligence and
moral character among Republican
voters is much higher 10 the North
than IN the south, that in the south
the party is still made up largely OF
negroes and carpet -baggers, the re-
suit being that the present plan OF
convention representation is not only
grossly misrepresentation, but it loads
the dice la favor of the ignorant and
vicious elements, among which the
federal patronage is used for political
purposes in securing denomination oil
president or debating his successor
According to the article. the nine
strictly Southern states-Alabama
Arkansas, Florida. Georgia, Louisi-
ana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texa:
and Virginia-in 1908 cast 27O, 80(
votes for Taft. These nine states
now have representation of 20.
delegates in the national convention
In 1908, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa
Indiana, Michigan and Ohio CAV
2,283, 200 votes for Taft, yet these 81,
states, altogether, have only 20
delegates in the national convention
Notwithstanding they cast over eigh
times as many votes as the min
Southern states According to part
strength the nine Southern state
would be entitled ouly to 38 delegates
so that under the present system the
have 1855 delegates which they shoul'
not have-and very conSiderabl
influence they should not weild-i
the national convention. Under tn
, present system, 1900 Republicans II
the nine Southern States are, on th
average, Just as powerful 10 th
councils of their party as are 100
| Republicans in the SIX Norther
States named-ssand more powerful
since they vote in solid blocks Just a
. they are ordered by their Bosses"
! The present system Of choosiu