Assassination and the Spoils System [pp. 145-170]

ASSASSIVATIOV AVD THE SPOILS SYSTEM.
The primary organization is the assembly district, of which
there are twenty-four in New York City. There is also a Central Committee. This committee has plenary power. There is
an Executive Committee of the Central Committee, which has
practically the whole authority of the Central Committee. Now,
the constitution says of this Executive Committee that all its
proceedings shall be kept strictly secret, except that the chairman must report to the Central Committee all matters requiring
its action thereon. There are no such matters save at the
option of the Executive Committee.
Here, therefore, is a secrecy and despotism hardly exceeded
in conducting a military campaign.
Next, as to getting into a primary. It is a political faction
club, as selfishly managed as the strictest private club. In no
sense is it representative of the Republicans of the assembly
district. Its membership is permanent. Lifelong adhesion to the
Republican party and unbroken support of its principles do not
even create a presumptive right to pass the doors of any one of
these primaries; and until admitted to one of them no man is
recognized as a member of the party, nor can he vote or be
heard on any nomination of delegates.
To get in he must first be proposed as a member of
the primary of his district, and his name posted on its bulletinboard. His name goes to a committee on admissions. If
a report comes in in his favor, and if a majority of the members present at a meeting vote in his favor, on signing the
roll he becomes a member, but otherwise he must remain out
forever.
But this is by no means all. The following pledges-we give
the language of the constitution-are exacted as a condition of
being a member of any primary association:
That he will
"I. Support the Republican party organization.
"2. Submit to the legally expressed action of the association and of the
Central Committee.
"3. Honorably sustain all nominations made by the Republican party
through its legally constituted conventions called or recognized by the
Central Committee.
"4. Will not become a member of any committee or body which does
not recognize the authority of the association."
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