The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-09-24
Whisky is higher, but they are still reaching for it.
THE DIRECT PRIMARY.

Many of the State newspapers are discussing the use of the direct prim- ary principle by the Democratic or ganization in New Haven as if it was new indulgence. It is not as old as the hills of Connecticut, but it has been in operation for a number of years. The explanation of the belated interest of our contemporaries lies in the fact that not until it was proposed to enforce the principle in State elec- tions was their attention directed to the practice in this city.
 There appears to be a disposition on the part of those interested in the discussion to accept as a condemna- tion of the principle of the direct primary its not satisfactory enforce ment in this city. There would be a warrant for this conclusion if 1t could be fairly said that the principle had been given fair show here. It was originally undertaken in an honorable desire to escape the arbitrary conduct of the machine, which did all the nominating in its own way and in it's own behalf, but it has encountered obstacles which were unforeseen. Any number of men may present hem selves as candidates for local nomina- tions in the Democratic party under the conditions imposed, which are not onerous or discouraging. It is easy for a group of men to advance the fortunes of their choice If so inclined, but it Is not easy under the statute laws to obtain an expression of public opinion for the reason that the caucus registration law acts as deterrent. By requiring those who desire to take part in caucus or primary contests to register as partisans fully one-half, if not more, of the party members are deprived of chance to vote. It has been found that the majority of vot- CTS refuse to register as partisans though willing to register as voters This enables those who are registered to easily work the primary and keep alive the very evils the direct primary was devised to correct by elimination. It is no more fair to test the sound ness of the direct primary principle by it's embarrassed enforcement by the Democrats of the city of New Haven than it would be to test the legal abil- ity of the Supreme court by the suc- cessful operation of the police court. The only way in which it can be suc- cessfully tried is to compel It's en- forcement by legal enactment under stipulated conditions which have been approved by experience The way Is clearly pointed out in the report made by the commission appointed by Gov ernor Roberts, though to be effective the number of offices to be filled in that popular manner should be con- siderably reduced Tn addition the registration caucus law should be re- pealed so far as the large centers of population are concerned It was con- ceived in a situation which existed in htchfield county and which never if
 the world should have been seriously noticed by the legislature. These
 things done the direct primary ac
 will be found to be the most effective Ischeme yet devised to stem the power
 of the machine.
 As the Bridgeport Farmer trul!
 says; "It is time for the American
 people to decide that political organ
 ization must be confined within legiti mate bounds" When few men car get together and select ticket whicl
 a cut and dried convention meets t, lendorse political freedom has been re Iduced to farce, The few favored in IdiNduals may do their work well, bu
 what they do has no place in Stat
 or town supposed to be controlled b.
 the principle of universal suffrage
 The direct primary Is devised in orde
 that popular rule shall be revived 1
 the people really wish to do their owi
 ruling.