Year: 1870

Uc CauCuS 40 loA tuO SAnC
of simplicity we shall designate the
general method of making nominations
hitherto prevalent in the United
States, is SO well understood that we
need give no further account Of it than
is necessary to get a clear idea of its
defects. Not but that it has great
merits. They are such as not only TO
account tor its long continued sway in
this country, but to inspire the prcdic-
sion that wherever in the world re-
publican institutions are introduced,
they will carry with them this disclp.
iinary ard almost coordinate rule OF
"King Caucus" But among us the
system has become so overlaid and
tainted with abuses, that we meet on
every hand the inquiry, whether it is
not possible to supplant it with some
thing which, with at least equal eff
cheney, shall give us better results.


HOW 1T Is MADE TO WORK.


For the purpose Of exhibiting some
of the more ordinary working evils of
the caucus system, let us give brief
illustration drawn from the experience
OF thousands: An honest member of
one OF our great political organizations
goes to primary meeting called for
the selection OF candidates for Office.
He has his own ideas, if not of the
proper persons to be nominated, yet
OF the proper class from which they
should be taken. Perhaps he finds
the majority present well disposed in
the same direction; perhaps he finds
an honest disagreement which might
easily be reconciled under favorable
circumstances. But he soon finds, al
SO, a knot of men, having perfect ui,-
derstanding with each other, working
with great assiduity and skill for other
aspirants, who, we will say, are posi-
lively unworthy, if not disreputable.
The unwary and Indifferent are
wheedled, the mercenary bought up,
the timid overawed, misreprescnta-
tons set atloat and dissensions infam-
ed, and, in short, a resort is had to the
whole stock OF expedients "in such
cases made and provided until either
a majority outright is secured or such
commanding plurality as can make
its own terms. And how then is the
honest dissentient, profoundly impress
ed with the uniitness of the nomina.
ton, and the reckless means by which
it was brought about, to help himself?
II he calls another caucus, which, of
course, he has no tight to do the same
result would probably be repeated.
Shall he bolt? II SO, he either throws
away his vote, which his party may Ill
afford to lose, or he votes for the OPP
position candidates, which is a stab at
Ills own avowed principles. Ia either
case his standing with his party col
leagues suffers and he sets preced-
ent which his victors OF to-day might
follow to his own grief tomorrow. 1t
is true that instances DO occur where
nominations so bad, and accomplished
by such outrageous methods, are made
that it is mans duty to deliberately
refuse :hcm his support. no matter
what NAV be the consequence, at the
polls Bat these extreme cases are so
rare thai like the right of revolution.
they may be left t, take care Of them
selves. The usual course will always
be to submit TO a result which, stated
in its midest form, is the government
OF the community by the minority OF
Il party.


ANALYSIS OF ITS EVILS.


An analysis even OF this imperfect
illustration will show that the evils OF
the caucus system are resolvable into
two classes: Packing, and what, for
want OF better general name, we
shall call the Perturbations OF the mo-
ment. The tirst-which may be detin-
ell an attempt TO control meeting
through force OF interested men-is
the prime, peculiar and prolific evil OF
the caucus system. To pack caucus
has been the study OF three genera
tions of American politicians, and it Is
not surprising that the result is the
perfection OF art, high or low, accord.
ing as reference is had either to skill
or to morality. The simplest method
is to get together numerical majority
of the caucus to accomplish an effect
contrary to the wishes of majority
OF the political organization concerned.
It may be done merely by the supe-
rior vigilance arising from personal in
terest over the disinterestedness OF the
masses ct the party; or it may be Sc
cured by bribery or any other repre-
hcnsiblc means. But well-packed mi
nority often answers every purpose OF
its directors. Its complete under
standing and unity OF action are de-
cisive in the midst of division, indie
cision and Indifference. 1t is in vain
for the few who detect the plotting to
foil It by ordinary methods. Suppose,
in order to avoid ballot under such
disadvantages, marking list is opened,
the packers are the first to concen.
trate their strength where it tells on
every subsequent man whose choice is
not liked, or who is not willing to tall
in with the apparent majority, or
whose chief desire is to settle the mat
ter and go home. Or again, an arous.
ed member of the meeting thinks he
sees chance of defeating the wire.
pullers, and he moves that the nomi-
nations be made by q committee.
Very well, how shall this committee
be raised? BY the chair. The chair
is already packed, and the pockets of
the incumbent are likewise packed
with a select list of committee men.
In cases where there are to be several
nominees, the packers may be inter.
ested only in portion Of the names,
but these may be so mixed with those
OF an unexceptionable character that
the caucus is often coerced into taking
tho bad, IN order to avoid losing the
good.