The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-15
NORR|SCHARGES
BOSSES RULE
VOTERS
Senator Urges Abolition of
Electoral College as
Uhdemocratic.

Charging that national conven-
lions are controlled and dominated
by political bosses, without any
consideration being >gfven to the
millions OF voters who constitute
the party" Senator Geo. w. Norris
(tsep.) of Nebraska, in a speech in
he Senate this afternoon, urged
he abolition of the electoral col
lege and the direct election OF the
President and Vice President.
Norris is author of the reeolu-
ton recently adopted by the Sen
ate which would anove ahead the
converting of Congress from De-
cember to the first Monday in
January following elections and
the Inauguration Of the President
on the third Monday in January,
instead of March 4.
Elimination of the electoral col
Iege was contained in the original
Norris resolution, but later was
stricken out by Norris before a
vote was taken.
Sees Denial Of Democracy.
I'm this day of advanced civili-
given for the existence of the
electoral college, charged Norris.
ut is absolutely contrary to the
principle of democracy. demo-
cratic form of government is based
upon the theory that the people
are sufficiently intelligent to select
their own rulers. To the extent
that this right is denied or circum-
vented, it is a denial of democracy.
The Nebraska Senator appealed for
adoption of constitutional amend
ment ito relieve ourselves of this
relic of the ancient monarchial sys-
tenn but pointed out that such &C
ton at this time would be practical
ly impossible in view of the crowded
legislative program in the house and
the Senate. He said, however,
move will be made in the next Con-
gress to secure these changes.
Gives Power To Few.
.eThe electoral college cannot be
defended. The only result of its ex-
istence is to increase the power
of the comparatively few men who
control national conventions. ines
men are not necessarily those whf
appeared as delegates The delegate
are often only pawns, moved at vii
by the secret influence of selfisl
men and combinations of wealt
whose IDENTIFY does not appear G.
the surface. They make their in
vestments in national convention
and receive their reward in natlona
legislation he said.
Their influence is apparent, but
their identity is concealed. When
they control both national conven-
tions their work is complete They
must contribute. to both sides In
order that the party spirit may De
kept alive and the millions of voters
be kept active in a sham battle,
while the real perpetrators OF the
fraud are laughing behind the
scenes.
Taxpayers Pay the Bill.
"The machinery is oiled by those
who are to be the beneficiarleS,
while the party spirit is cultivated
in the rank and file to such an ex-
tent that the voter really imag1nes
that he is having something to
say about the destiny of his coun-
try. In the end the bills are paid
been induced to furnish the en-
thusiasm and do the shouting for his
own undoing."
There is no practical way under
existing conditions for any one to
be an independent candidate for
President To organize new party
after the national conventions have
completed their work, and do 1t
before election, is not only an ex-
tremely difficult thing but it is
exceedingly expensive. 1t cannot be
done without the expenditure Of
enormous amounts of money. The
result is that the voter, when he
goes to vote for President and Vice
President, is confined in his choice
to the nominees of the two domi-
nant political parties