The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-24
FRIDAY. APRIL "a, 1903.
THE PRIMARY PLAN.

i
THE PRIMARY PLAN.
The General Assembly is making $40"
nroeress with tho bill to legallze primary
elections. we sincerely hope that TINS
does not mean that the bill will so by de-
fault. The last state Democratic con-
vention committed itself unequivocally TO
the primary plan and the Constitutional
Convention directed the General Assem-
lily to pass bill making primaries legal
There are some difficult points to be set
tIea. but there is sense enough and there
IL character enough in the General AS
d sorlbly to settle them, and to settle them
right.
One OF the most difficult Questions that
tho committee has had to determine IS
the manner of appointment OF judges OF
elections Some are in favor of having the
Judges appointed by the Electoral Boards,
but there are serious objections 10 trls.
and we do not believe that 1t would give
general satisfaction, as the plan would
be open to the charge OF partlsanry.
Others are in favor of having Judges ap-
pointed by the Democratic Committee.
4 +" r
INT this plan Is open to the same objec-
zion: others stu are in favor Of having
them appointed In the counties and towns
by the Circuit Court Judges and IN the
cities by the Judge of the Corporation
Court, and we understand that Messrs.
Gardner and Whitehead, who are in
charge of the House bill, are in favor
OF this plan.
The objection raised to having the court
Judges mako these appointments is that
1t would drag the judiciary into politics
That might be II we had partisan judges,
but the judges of our Circuit and Corpo-
ration Courts arc above such influences
and SO far from being dragged into
politics." they would lift the whole pri-
mary plan into the plane OF. right and
justice We are heartily In favor Of hav-
.tr.. tie Judges of election appointed In
.----~,his way. and We have not heard any OBJ
lection which seemed to US tenable
Another question which has somewhat
puzzled the committee Is the question of
expense. IT is claimed by distinguished
members, although other distinguished
members do not concur in view. that un-
der the Barksdale pure elections bill can
didates would not be permitted to pay ex-
penses OF primary elections, and that as
1t Is mpracticable to raise money by
would be necessary to have the expenses
paid by the government. But objection
has been raised to this, one of them be-
Ing that II the money for this purpose IS
obtained from tho public fund. induce
ment will be held ont to Republicans to
hold primaries. and to bring ont opposi-
t!on candidates, when they would not do
so IL they themselves had to bear the
expense. BE 1t as It may, for orr. part
re believe that there should be a general
primary plan, thai 1t would be legalized,
and that the expenses should be paid by
the government. Otherwise how can we
hope TO have general primary IN the
ease of senatorial or gubernatorial OF
congressional contests? If we should have
primary for the selection of a candi-
Date for Governor, or a candidate for the
United States Senate. or candidate fol
X Congress In any of the districts. 1t would
he necessary. of course, TO have such
primary IN some OF the counties and II
some OF the cities and not in others Blu
II no provision were made for the eN
penses of such primaries, it Is more thar
probable that In some of the cities oil
counties. or both, there would DO n
primary and the whole plan would mis-
carry
But apart from all this. we believe tina
81 would be money well expended an,
good public policy 10 have the expense
OF our primary elections ppid ont OF tn
general fund. In this way only viii tn
poor man have the same opportunity a
the rich man To enter such contests.
case of senatorial, guhematoria! and cor
gressIonal contests the expenses {
holding the primary is large so larg,
indeed. as 10 preclude poor men fro,
entering, unless they should be able I
procure the means from their friend
and this ought not 10 be. Our eleetio
contests should 10 open to al. who des!,
10 run and then there should be II
fullest and rfeost expression OF opinio
On the part Of tho voters In this wa
oniy can we have ideal Democracy. an
In His way only can we got the bet
men for Office and the true choice of Il
voters
let US have an ideal primary plan. ar
let 1t be legallzed
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