Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-11-09
Nebraska
CONVENTION PLAN
Captain DOlan Of Western Suggests
Way to Modify System.
PUBLIC TO ELECT DELEGATES
Relieves Body Constituted I'm This
Fashion win Have Respect for
People and Nominate
Satisfactory Men.
lFrom a staff corterponaenL-l


LINCOLN. Neb.. Nov. S-0Speciai) -
The failure OF the primary 20 solve the
problem which II was expected TO solve
when tho system was inaugirated in this
state is dcplored by no one more than
the father OF the law. the man who be-
lieves he introduced the first bill in the
United states for the adoption of the
primary for the selection OF public Of
ficiais
In 1880. Captain D., f. Dolan, now a
merchant OF western NebTaskS, was a
member OF the Massachusetts legislature.
For years Captain Dolan had studied the
proposition OF securing some better
method for the selection OF state candi-
dates in the old Bay stilte than the eau
Gus and state convention way. Finally
he was elected from the Lawrence dis
trict 70 the lower house OF the Massa-
chusetts legislature and introduced the
first primary bill ever placed before any
Legislature in this country for considera-
tion.
To The Bee. in speaking OF the matter.
Captain Dolsn said:
Not Favored at First.
MY bill was looked upon not very ia
vorably when introduced H. and II was
such n novelty that II did not meet with
very much consideration. However.
was not discouraged. and being elected
90 the next session. Z again introduced
tho bill and had the satisfaction Of seeing
II pass the house, out that was as far
as Il got In 1898 l tried II again. and
this time II passed and became a law
and Is still In force.
THE new law was satisfactory at first.
but evils crept In and the new method
soon produced as many drawbacks as
the old system The party responsibility
which governed nominations under the
old system was superseded by irresponsi-
bility caused by individuals who nomi-
mated themselves by personal solicitation
and not party action. THIS system low
cred. in many cases. the personnel OF the
candidates.
Suggests Two Remedies.
There are two principal remedies
which have been proposed for the solu-
ton Of the problem which confronts this
state. Having been In the state four
years ! have seen the workings OF the
primary, and as II IL the same AZ in my
old state. I think | am I'm a position TO
discuss the matter
''The first proposition deals with the
matter Of expedition In voting and effi-
cheney In management Of the state. II is
known as the short ballot. and believe.
a good thing. But as Il will take con-
stitutionai amendment before this propo-
sition can be adopted. there must be,
something which can be arrived at
quicker and something which our coming
legislature can solve. ] arm In favor OF
tho abolition OF the present statewide
primary ana n return 10 the old convsn-
ton system.
Favorn Convention.
"The state convention IL ali right n tho
Delegates come direct from the people.
by the old caucus system this was not
always the case. ] am In favor OF law
which will allow each political party. at
the same time II selects its county cane
didates In the primary. 10 select its
quota TO q state convention.
Neither OF these propositions conflict
with the other. Under the short ballot
system, such officials ss may be selected
can be selected by tho other system and
there Is no conflict. / am OF the opinion
that both will work In harmony.
by selecting delegates to a state con-
vention who will select the candidates
there is a responsibility placed upon
those delegates and It IL TO them We look
for good judgment In their selections Just
as we look 60 our agents whom we may
send out 70 perform any business mis-
sion. They come In contact with the
candidates for nomination 10 the various
offices. They have an opportunity TO en-
quire about Thorn from the other dele
gates and acting for their constituents
they can make eselections which will be
a credit TO the party they represent and
II elected, good officials
Captain Dolan has taken an active part
in political affairs since coming 10 tho
state four years ago and this year was
very active making several speeches for
the democratic state committed