Political Machinery

( Originally Published 1883 )

Parties,--On all public questions, there will be great differences of opinion, and parties will always be formed on all great questions of public policy. In a republican government like our own, the only way in which public measures can be successfully carried out, is to select persons as officers who are in sympathy with, and will promote the policy of, the party they represent. Political parties are a necessity, and the nomination of officers to represent these parties is necessarily associated with all free governments.

Nomination of Officers.—Officers are nominated at caucuses and conventions held for that purpose. These are,—

1. Primary meetings or caucuses,

2. City conventions,

3. County conventions,

4. District conventions,

5. State conventions.

The primary meeting, or, as it is sometimes called, the caucus, is held for the purpose of nominating township and ward officers, and for selecting persons to attend city, county, and district conventions, when the district forms but a part of a county. The city convention nominates city officers ; the county convention, county officers, and selects delegates to State conventions and to district conventions, when the districts embrace more than one county, as judicial and congressional districts ; district conventions nominate district officers, as representatives, senators, judges, members of Congress ; State conventions, State officers.

Caucuses.—A caucus is a general meeting of the voters of a political party for the purpose of selecting candidates for public offices, or electing delegates to attend conventions, or for the purpose of adopting measures to promote party interests. Any number of persons representing a political party may meet together at any time to adopt plans for party management, or to devise means for promoting party interests, or to advance the interests of candidates for any office.

Any legal voter who is in sympathy with the party holding the caucus, may attend the meeting, and take part in the proceedings.

The Importance of Caucuses.—Caucuses shape the policy of political \parties, and it is of the utmost importance that all qualified voters should attend their party caucuses. One of the most discouraging features of our political institutions is the lack of interest displayed by many in the primary meetings of the party to which they belong, so that it often happens that, by intrigue and adroit combination, unworthy and incompetent men are selected as candidates for important offices. The policy of a party is necesssarily shaped by its caucuses, and when these are controlled by unscrupulous men, the party will become corrupt, and will bring disgrace upon the government and calamity to the State, if it succeeds in obtaining control of affairs. It is therefore the imperative duty of every good citizen to attend primary meetings, and see to it that competent men are selected for public offices. As the caucuses are, so the government will be.

State Convention.—Some time previous to the meeting of a State convention to nominate State officers, caucuses are held in the townships and wards for the purpose of selecting delegates to county conventions. The county conventions select persons to attend the State convention.

Time of Meeting.--The time and place for holding a State convention is designated by what is called the State Central Committee. A State Central Committee is appointed at each State convention for this purpose,

Meeting of the Convention.—On the day named for the meeting of the convention, the delegates assemble at the appointed time and place, and are called to order by the chairman of the State Central Committee, who nominates some person, previously agreed upon by the committee, as temporary chairman of the convention.

1. After calling the convention to order, and before nominating a temporary chairman, the chairman of the State Central Committee sometimes makes a few remarks to the convention.

2. The hall in which the convention is held is usually divided into county and congressional districts, so that the various delegations may be seated conveniently together. The hall is mapped out by the Central Committee.

Temporary Chairman.—A temporary chairman is one appointed to preside, until it has been properly ascertained who are entitled to seats in the convention, and until permanent officers are selected. The office of chairman of a political convention is considered so important, and candidates for important offices are so desirous of securing a chairman who is favorable to their interests, that a temporary organization is at first necessary. In this way, a permanent presiding officer will be more likely to be afterwards chosen, who will be acceptable to a majority of the delegates. It is the custom for the temporary chairman to make a short address to the convention.

Temporary Secretary.—After the appointment of a temporary chairman, and the usual address which follows, a temporary secretary is elected. This officer performs the usual duties of a secretary.

Committees.—When a temporary organization is thus effected, the next business in order is the appointment of,—

1. A Committee on Credentials;

2. A Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business ;

3. A Committee on Resolutions.

One delegate from each congressional district is appointed on each committee. Each delegation meets before the assembling of the convention, selects a chairman and secretary, and decides what persons shall serve on the committees.

Committee on Credentials.—The duty of this committee is to ascertain the names of those who are entitled to seats in the convention, and prepare a list of those having proper credentials. They also report doubtful cases, with recommendations, to the convention. Only those can take part in the deliberations of the convention, whose right to act as delegates is undisputed.

Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business.—It is the duty of this committee to select a permanent presiding officer, a number of vice-presidents and secretaries, and to determine the order in which the business of the convention shall be transacted. The selection of a number of vice-presidents and secretaries is designed as a compliment to active and prominent members of the party.

The vice-presidents and secretaries are always invited to take seats on the platform.

Committee on Resolutions.—This committee is the most important of the three, from the fact that it has to set forth the principles of the party in a series of resolutions called the platform. On the general tenor of these resolutions depends, in a great measure, the success of a party in a political campaign. Opposing factions have to be conciliated, and it is a difficult and delicate task to prepare a series of resolutions that will be acceptable to all the delegates or to the party at large. The key-notes of political campaigns are the, platforms of opposing parties.

Adjournment—After the selection of these three committees, it is the custom of the convention to adjourn till afternoon, so as to give the necessary time to the committees to perform the various duties assigned to them.

Reports of Committees.—When the convention assembles again, the first thing in order is the report of the Committee on Credentials. The list of delegates is read by the chairman of the committee, together with such recommendations as the committee desire to make, After which the Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business report through their chairman.

Permanent Officers.—If the report of the Committee on Permanent Organization is adopted, the person selected as permanent president takes the place of the temporary chairman, thanks the convention for the honor conferred upon him, and makes an address on the political issues of the day. The vice-presidents and secretaries are then invited to take seats on the platform.

Other Business.—When the convention is permanently organized, that is, after it has been determined who are the regular delegates, and permanent officers are elected, three important steps have to be taken,

1. The nomination of State officers ;

2. The adoption of a platform ;

3. The appointment of a State Central Committee.

Nomination of State Officers.—The nomination of officers is made in the order designated by the Committee on Permanment Organization and Order of Business. Officers are nominated either by ballot or by acclamation. It is considered a marked compliment to a candidate for a public office to be nominated by acclamation.

The Adoption of a Platform.--Although it might seem to be more appropriate for the Committee on Resolutions to report at the same time that the other committees present their reports, it is the usual custom to defer the reading of the resolutions till after the nomination of State officers. One reason of this is that it usually requires more time for this committee to prepare its report than it does for the others. The resolutions are read by the chairman of the committee, and either adopted as a whole or each resolution is acted on separately. Sometimes there is considerable opposition to some features of the platform, and vigorous speeches for and against are made by various delegates. The resolutions are sometimes amended, before they are adopted by the convention.

Appointment of a State Central Committee.—Before the convention adjourns, a State Central Committee is appointed, each congressional district selecting two members. The committee afterwards select one of their own number chairman, and appoint a secretary. The State Central Committee exercises a general control over the party machinery of the State, engages speakers during the campaign, provides means to defray expenses, and endeavors to secure the election of those nominated at the State convention. They also designate the time and place for holding the next State convention.

In addition to the State Central Committee, there are also committees in each county, district, city, and ward to secure the election of local officers.

Campaign.—After the nomination of officers by each party, what is called the campaign follows. Politicians address political gatherings on the issues of the day, the record of public men is reviewed, the achievements of one party are glorified and the failures of the opposing party are paraded, newspapers criticize men and measures, the platforms of parties are praised or denounced, and voters are solicited by candidates for their votes. The campaign is under the direction of the various committees appointed for that purpose.

CAUCUSES AND CONVENTIONS.

I. Caucus.

II.

1. Caucus,

2. City Convention.

III.

1. Caucus,

2. District Convention, when the district is less than a county.

IV.

1. Caucus,

2. County Convention,

3. District Convention, when the district embraces two or more counties.

V.

1. Caucus,

2. County Convention.

VI.

1. Caucus,

2. County Convention,

3. State Convention.

STATE CONVENTION.

I. MORNING.

1. Called to Order by the Chairman of the State Central Committee.

2. Election of a Temporary Chairman.

3. Remarks of the Temporary Chairman.

4. Election of a Temporary Secretary.

5. Appointment of Committees.

a. Committee on Credentials.

b. Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business.

c. Committee on Resolutions.

6. Adjournment.

II. AFTERNOON.

1. Called to Order.

2. Reports of Committees.

a. Committee on Credentials,

b. Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business.

3. Address of Permanent Chairman.

4. Vice-Presidents and Secretaries invited to take seats on the Platform.

5. Nominations of State Officers.

6. Report of Committee on Resolutions.

7. Appointment of a State Central Committee.

8. Adjournment sine die.