o to twenty-five per
cent. Other States have followed the New York plan of fixing definitely
the number of voters necessary to form a party. In New York no fewer
than 10,000 voters can secure recognition as a state party, exception
being made in favor of municipal or purely local parties. But merely
fixing the numerical minimum of the party was not enough. The State took
another step forward in depriving the manipulator of his liberty when it
undertook to determine who was entitled to membership in the party and
privileged to take part in its nominations and other party procedure.
Otherwise the virile minority in each party would control both the
membership and the nominations.

An Oregon statute declares: "Every political party and every volunteer
political organization has the same right to be protected from the
interference of persons who are not identified with it, as its known and
publicly avowed members, that the government of the State has to protect
itself from the interference of persons who are not known and registered
as its electors. It is as great a wrong to the people, as well as to
members of a political party, for anyone who is not known to be one
of its members to vote or take any part at any election, or other
proceedings of such political party, as it is for one who is not a
qualified and registered elector to vote at any state election or to
take part in the business of the State." It is a far reach from the
democratic laissez faire of Jackson's day to this state dogmatism which
threatens the independent or detached voter with ultimate extinction.

A variety of methods have been adopted for initiating the citizen into
party membership. In the Southern States, where the dual party system
does not exist, the legislature has left the matter in the hands of
the duly appointed party officials. They can, with canonical rigor,
determine the party standing of voters at the primaries. But where
there is party competition, such a generous endowment of power would be
dangerous.

Many States permit the voter to make his declaration of party allegiance
when he goes to the primary. He asks for the ticket of the party whose
nominees he wishes to help select. He is then handed the party's ballot,
which he marks and places in the ballot-box of that party. Now, if he is
challenged, he must declare upon oath that he is a member of that party,
that he has generally supported its tickets and its principles, and that
a