The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-03-07
is GIVEN POWER
Democrats Feel That Wilson is Given a
Better Hold on the State on Account
of Committee Being Favorable to His
Candidacy at This Time.


ence in Milwaukee when delegates at
large to the Republican national con-
vention were nominated, it was notic-
ed that alternates were not named.
1t is also noticed that in some of
the districts alternates as well as dele
gaes have been named on some of the
presidential tickets.
On the Democratic side both the
Wilson and Champ Clark tickets for
delegates-at-large contain also the
names of nominees for alternate dele
gates-at-large.
Why, therefore, it has been asked,
should the Democrats nominate candi-
dates for alternates and the Republi-
cans not? The answer is that the Re-
publicans evidently had ascertained
that alternate delegates are not elect
ed, but are appointed by the state
central committee. The Democrats
either overlooked the provision Of the
law on the subject, or perhaps the
nominations for alternate delegates
were merely made as suggestions to
the state central committee, but which
suggestions have no legal force, unless
the committee chooses to recognize
them.
The law on the subject in which
some politicians see opportunities for
much mischief reads thus:
Section 5 to 496Cc-2 inclusive, Of the
statutes amended, created or repealed
by the laws of 1907 md 1909, 11-26-It
shall be the duty of the state central
committee Of each political party be-
tween the holding of such election and
at least fifteen days prior to the hold
ing of the party national convention
to meet, and elect four national dele
gates-at-large and two alternate dis
trict delegates from each congression-
al district. Said meeting shall be
called by the chairman of the party
central committee upon at least ten
days notice.
The provisions of the election laws
and primary election law Of Wisconsin
are now so varied and so numerous
that party committees will do well to
carry in their pockets q digest of the
laws of they wish 10 be able to an
swer questions which will be asked.
1t is probably safe to say that not one
person in thousand knew that alter
nate delegates to national conventions
were not elected, in the same way that
delegates are elected and in the way
they have hitherto been elected.
Under the law the state central COM
mlttee would have the power to de-
feat the will of the people, as express
ed at the polls if it wished. Suppose
a Taft delegate is elected at large in
a district and because of illness or
other reason is unable to attend the
convention. The Republican state
central committee in such case, COM
trolled by the LaF'ollette element,
could have LaFollette alternate
for him.
So with the Democrats. Their party
committee is credited with being a
Wilson organization. If a Champ
Clark or Harmon delegate was elected
and unable to attend the convention
the committee night substitute a Will
son alternate, although Clark or
Harmon supporter was elected.
These facts are pointed out not with
the idea that state central committees
will take such extraordinary action,
but to show the character of some of
the election laws, designed to secure
more representative government, but
capable of being used to defeat, their
very purpose. It is manifest that the
law should be so changed as to remove
all doubt that Taft or LaFollette or
Wilson or Harmon or Clark delegate
should each have a corresponding al
ternate. Otherwise Q state or district
might be misrepresentcd in g nation
al convention.
There are two reasons, however,
which make it unlikely, even under
the present law for the appointment
of alternates, that such an outcome
as mentioned, although possible, will
ever occur.
First it is not believed that any state
central committee would in this way
defeat the will of the party electors
and, second, no national party con-
vention would seat delegate SO
chosen, so misrepresentation and SO
clearly without shadow of right to a
seat in the national convention.
.sCARvER' GRADE TRoTTER.
Formerly owned by Ed. G.. Sheparf