The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-08-25
FRIDAY AUGUST IS, 1905.
Primaries and Other Elections.

We have noted With interest all the
against the primary election as means OF
selecting party candidates, and we have
seen no argument against f.ne primary
that does not apply with the same force
a. regular elections Those who claim
that convention Is q better means OF
selecting a candidate for office than
4 primary election, must, to be consistent
a claim that a convention is n better mode
of selection of officers Of government than
IN election. If not, why not?
The advocates of the convention system
tell his that representative bodies IN
4 government are necessary and argue that
If nolitical conventions cannot be trustcl
to nominate candidates, neither can
state Legislature be trusted to make
laws.
But they overlook the important fact
thot, The Representatives of the people In
the LEGISLATURE are elected by direct vote
OF the people, whereas in the case of poll
teal conventions. delegates are chosen
nv mnss-meetings. and sometimes, as we
know. by pa cked mass-meetlnEs, or by
meetings called and held In such way
rs not fairly to represent tho voters.
Hence it is that some have proposed In
lieu OF a State primary for the nomna-
lions of candidates a State convention
whose delegates should be elected by
direct vote OF the people In local prl-
maries instead of mass-mectinGs. But IN
proposing that change they give their
whole case away and commit themselves
10 the primary election principle.
Representative legislative bodies arc no.
cessary, for the people cannot make laws
in any other way They must OF neces-
sity commit this function and trust to
their chosen representatives. But 1t Is
not necessary to have conventions In or
der to nominate candidates. for such NOM
nations can be made In n ,primary cleo
ton by tsAect vgte of the people There
fore. We ask In common sense, why
should the members of any party do by
indlrccton and by delegated authority
that which they can do so much better
by direct vote. Why should the mem
bcrs of any party appoint agents to dc
for them what they nro abundnntly able
to do for themselves? TO contend tina
n convention Is a better means of nomlna
ting candidates than n primary Is t
contend that tho Democratic voters o.
Virginia are not competent to make theil
own selections, but choose Representatives
to do It for them. Such an argument !:
reflection upon Virglnlan intelligence
and manhood. and is not TO be treated
seriously. If the Democrats of Virginit
are not capable of selecting candidates fo
office, they ought, every man Of them, t
be DISTINGUISHED, for they are not capa
BILE OF voting in n general election which
involves measures as well us men,
The primary election promotes politi
cal Independence and manhood and Is tht
weapon which the people themselves may
use effectively. If they Will, to destroy
ring rule and bossism. The most serious
defect, in fact, the only serious de-
1NNl, 'i' pu' primary SsSNcln 10 NHNt Nv
adequate means has been devised to de-
fray the expenses or the election. 1t Il
ungenerous, undemoeratc and dangcrou!
To require the candidates themselves L
bear the cost. That is a matter which
must be attended 10 by the party, an'
como provisions must be made before an
other primary is held 10 help 10 lift tn
burden OF expense from tho shoulder
o! the candidates II Is by this meln
only that We can have a fair and opei
nee-for-nll race and put the poor man OF
tho same footing with the rich man. wit
the expenses provided by the voters, III
primary in Virginia would be a politIca
blessing.
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AS to Earthquakes.
( MT. l.,ta lf..sr Nnut