The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-01
A NEW MrssrssrrpI IDEA.

Mississippi is beginning to think pri- maries cost too much: that the individual candidate has to foot much too heavy a bill In running for State office and of- tentimes for a. country office. The legal tax that maybe imposed for conducting primary is SIPS; but there is no limit to the voluntary expenditure the candi- date may make. The new proposition in Mississippi is to make it crime to em- pioy workers or beat riders and a crime | to act as such. This is not yet the law 1 in our sister State, but that 1t should oe mooted even shows there is much search | ing of hearts going on in that quarter. They have had a longer experience with 1 the primary system than any other State | and have worked out some details that will have to be mastered by other States which have adopted the reform more re- gently. It is a curious problem their new scheme implies Its advocates con- tend that the candidate with money has an even greater temptation to spend it and enjoys an even greater advantage over his less wealthy opponent than un- der the convention system. They would strike at the root of the evil and make the primary a fairer test by denying the rich man the use of his money in infiu- encing the result.
 In South Carolina. we believe. the trouble is gotten around in some measure by clubbing expenses The candidates are carted about in body by the Execu- tive Committee. the committee defraying a part of the expenses, the candidates tha remainder. There. however, no effort IS made to restrain the individual candidate. If he prefers a solitary still hunt, he is perfectly at liberty to don gum shoes and softly make his way wherever and when- ever he choses. Alone. too, he can make appointments and harangue such crowds as he finds himself able to muster.
 With us, the primary is as yet too new for many very definite opinions to have been evolved We have abandoned the second primary idea though there have been signs of dissent We take 1t that everybody. and certainly the candidates. must regret that 1t is needful to spend as much as appears inn fair presentation of a candidacy to the body of the people. It seems likely that after a time it will be agreed what are proper and what improper expendi- lures in primary election and these will have to be controlled vigorously by law
 DaA NrI lii A. vigorous public opinion. The voters themselves will have to stand like a rock against all corruption and all extrava- gance. What will the beat-riders say to this? That active and potential gen. tleman will have to be instructed by public opinion and by the law that his activities are unnecessary in determining a choice; that primaries are not held for the purpose of putting money in his purse: that his work Is due the people, If he must exert himself, without an ex- pectation on his part that money will Jingle in his pocket as a reward. An effort has been made by corrupt practices acts to meet this trouble in the regular election and in England this law yields the very best and most satisfactory re- suits. That is but to say the" law is backed up by an enlightened, watchful and determined public opinion. These acts do not work so we'll in the United States and that they do not is simply be- cause opinion Is not strong enough to guarantee their stern enforcement.
 We shall all be wiser in Alabama after
 April 11th. In the meantime no one needs
 to be reminded that every Democrat
 should be on the lookout on that day
 closely to observe the actual working of
 the primary system; to note its benefits,
 its drawbacks and as well also. its
 dapgers. AE