February 12, 1975 (8 pages)

2.000.600 0_0.8.0.0.8.8.0.0.0.0.0.0.¢ Earl G. Waters Feb. 12, 1975 The Nevada County Nugget 5 Biennial state pow-pows Meeting separately, two weeks apart, California’s two major political parties have _ concluded their biennial state pow-wows. Aside from the delegates and a sprinkling of Presidential aspirants, few knew of the gatherings and fewer could give a fig for the s. As though designed to make the state central committees even less notable, the Democrats slipped through a resolution barring legislators and congressmen from becoming party chairmen. It was the major goal of that party’s new chairman, Charles Manatt, 38 year old Van Nuys attorney. Time was when party conventions highlighted political campaigns. For their original purpose was as nominating conventions where the delegates chose the candidates for the various offices. But the blatant “‘bossism’’ which came to rule such conventions was focussed into disrepute by the in1 Year $3.00 dictments of San Francisco’s political boss, Abe Ruef and his puppet mayor, Eugene Schmitz. That brought forth a reform movement which resulted in the passage of the direct. primary law in 1909. State central committees thereafter were relegated to. adopting party platforms and organizing campaign support for the party nominees. Nevertheless, the party conventions served to pinpoint campaign issues and stimulate organizational activities in behalf of e candidates. Depending upon the party leadership, the state central committees could generate considerable activity and financial support for party. candidates. Mi of this was because of the political base from which a party chairman operated. So it is an irony that Manatt, assertedly seeking to strengthen his party, has taken the view that those in public office have exerted too much influence over party affairs. If one looks over the party records it will readily be seen that the Democrats greatest moments have come under the chairmanship of members of the Legislature. It was the prominence of persons like Oliver J. Carter, George Hiller, Jr., and Paul Peek which aided the party to victories in which the. Democrats captured the governorship and Harry Truman carried the state. Carter and Miller were state senators at the time of their chairmanships and Peek was Speaker of the Assembly. Under Paul Peek, Culbert L. Olson became the first Democratic governor of California in this century and Miller led the party o the election of Edmund G. “Pat” Brown as it second. Assemblyman John Burton was the ‘state chairman when Edmund G. Brown, Jr., won his election to become the third. And there is little question that it was the undaunted efforts of Carter who\pulled the rabbit 2 Years $5.00 out of the hat in the narrow victory won by Harry Truman in this state in 1948. In analyzing those particular events it would seem it was more the organizing ability of the leadership than any actions at the conventions which led to the victories. Actually, it would be surprising if the party platforms adopted by the conventions were not-somewhat of a handicap rather than an aid. For most often that has been the case with the platform being an embarassment to those standing for election. It is particular true in recent years as the ultras took over both parties, the extreme left and the extreme right became dominant in their respective parties adopting planks totally unacceptable to many of their own officeholders. It was a question of the inexperienced and unrealistic insisting upon writing their views into the party platform regardless of what it might do to their members _ séeking Don’t Miss A Single Issue! NEVADA CQUNTY_ NUGGET 3 Years $7.00 reelection. For. that reason many legislators and congressmen have shunned the conventions. As practical politicians they know that platforms, once adopted, are promptly forgotten by everyone excepting an opponent. And if the party conventions are to be held after the elections, as those just concluded were, instead of prior to the general, the platforms have even. less meaning or purpose. As for building the party, the state central committees have allowed the Legislature, through its majority-minority caucus gg to usurp even that funcsme appears headed down the road to oblivion by converting the plarty conventions into a shambles wherein a polyglot of amateurs orate and decide monumental issues among themselves with nobody listening or caring. Perhaps it is time to review the need for party conventions or even state central committees. AME a cctlid ever cing etrgpicc tt wee ches: AOORESS 0.5 Sonesd gine cone ates eg tone shes “Camptonville News” THE NUGGET, P.O. Box 828, Nevada City, Calif. 95959 READ and ENJOY... “Rough & Ready News” by Fay M. Dunbar “CALIFORNIA COUNTRY ” by Kristi Ottoman

2.000.600 0_0.8.0.0.8.8.0.0.0.0.0.0.¢ Earl G. Waters Feb. 12, 1975 The Nevada County Nugget 5 Biennial state pow-pows Meeting separately, two weeks apart, California’s two major political parties have _ concluded their biennial state pow-wows. Aside from the delegates and a sprinkling of Presidential aspirants, few knew of the gatherings and fewer could give a fig for the s. As though designed to make the state central committees even less notable, the Democrats slipped through a resolution barring legislators and congressmen from becoming party chairmen. It was the major goal of that party’s new chairman, Charles Manatt, 38 year old Van Nuys attorney. Time was when party conventions highlighted political campaigns. For their original purpose was as nominating conventions where the delegates chose the candidates for the various offices. But the blatant “‘bossism’’ which came to rule such conventions was focussed into disrepute by the in1 Year $3.00 dictments of San Francisco’s political boss, Abe Ruef and his puppet mayor, Eugene Schmitz. That brought forth a reform movement which resulted in the passage of the direct. primary law in 1909. State central committees thereafter were relegated to. adopting party platforms and organizing campaign support for the party nominees. Nevertheless, the party conventions served to pinpoint campaign issues and stimulate organizational activities in behalf of e candidates. Depending upon the party leadership, the state central committees could generate considerable activity and financial support for party. candidates. Mi of this was because of the political base from which a party chairman operated. So it is an irony that Manatt, assertedly seeking to strengthen his party, has taken the view that those in public office have exerted too much influence over party affairs. If one looks over the party records it will readily be seen that the Democrats greatest moments have come under the chairmanship of members of the Legislature. It was the prominence of persons like Oliver J. Carter, George Hiller, Jr., and Paul Peek which aided the party to victories in which the. Democrats captured the governorship and Harry Truman carried the state. Carter and Miller were state senators at the time of their chairmanships and Peek was Speaker of the Assembly. Under Paul Peek, Culbert L. Olson

became the first Democratic governor of California in this century and Miller led the party o the election of Edmund G. “Pat” Brown as it second. Assemblyman John Burton was the ‘state chairman when Edmund G. Brown, Jr., won his election to become the third. And there is little question that it was the undaunted efforts of Carter who\pulled the rabbit 2 Years $5.00 out of the hat in the narrow victory won by Harry Truman in this state in 1948. In analyzing those particular events it would seem it was more the organizing ability of the leadership than any actions at the conventions which led to the victories. Actually, it would be surprising if the party platforms adopted by the conventions were not-somewhat of a handicap rather than an aid. For most often that has been the case with the platform being an embarassment to those standing for election. It is particular true in recent years as the ultras took over both parties, the extreme left and the extreme right became dominant in their respective parties adopting planks totally unacceptable to many of their own officeholders. It was a question of the inexperienced and unrealistic insisting upon writing their views into the party platform regardless of what it might do to their members _ séeking Don’t Miss A Single Issue! NEVADA CQUNTY_ NUGGET 3 Years $7.00 reelection. For. that reason many legislators and congressmen have shunned the conventions. As practical politicians they know that platforms, once adopted, are promptly forgotten by everyone excepting an opponent. And if the party conventions are to be held after the elections, as those just concluded were, instead of prior to the general, the platforms have even. less meaning or purpose. As for building the party, the state central committees have allowed the Legislature, through its majority-minority caucus gg to usurp even that funcsme appears headed down the road to oblivion by converting the plarty conventions into a shambles wherein a polyglot of amateurs orate and decide monumental issues among themselves with nobody listening or caring. Perhaps it is time to review the need for party conventions or even state central committees. AME a cctlid ever cing etrgpicc tt wee ches: AOORESS 0.5 Sonesd gine cone ates eg tone shes “Camptonville News” THE NUGGET, P.O. Box 828, Nevada City, Calif. 95959 READ and ENJOY..... “Rough & Ready News” by Fay M. Dunbar “CALIFORNIA COUNTRY ” by Kristi Ottoman