The Washington herald., 1908-06-27

of helping an aspirant to 'get the nomi-
nation TO a determination to make the
nomination" themselves is afforded by the
recent success OF Gov. Chamberlain, Of
Oregon, a Democrat. who was selected
for United States Senator at a general
direct primary in a Republican State. In
that case the party voters not only alb
solved their partisans in the legislature
from loyalty to the chosen party candi-
date. but actually instructed the ma
jorlty Of the legislature TO vote against
its party candidate. The Oregon general
primary for Senator is. IN effect. an extra
constitutional method of choosing Sena-
tors by direct vote, and is not a party
primary. Yet It Is the direct outgrowth
of the determination Of the voters 70 take
Into their own hands the elective power
They learned how to do It In party pri-
maries, and they have carried things a
step farther toward matured democracy.
Oregon and Oklahoma are both expert
menting with direct legislation by means
OF the initiative and referendum Other
States are not yet ready TO take such
radical departures from the representa-
tive form OF government, but the increas-
ing power OF the direct nominating pri-
mary shows that the people generally are
inclining in that direction United States
Senators are nominated by party pri-
maries in many States. and each biennium
adds others TO the list. The convention
for nominating county officers is almost
extinct, so generally has the primary cleo
ton nominating system been applied 70
minor offices in rural districts
Abuses Of the powers Of delegated con-
ventions. the opportunity for corruption.
and the dangers Of dark horses all had 10
do with the downfall Of the convention in
counties and cities Even more potent
than these was the constant danger to
party organization from possible bolts -
candidate who is defeated IN a conven-
tion by intrigue Is much more apt TO bolt
and head another ticket than is the can
didate who has been defeated for the
nomination by a majority Of the voters OF
his party. The latter is a more convincing
defeat.
The voters, finding their power in nomi-
mating minor officers, have gradually
reached out. until they now control Con-
gressional and State offices In majority
of the States. The demand for direct
primaries IS so strong in others that the
system bids fair 10 become universal
within decade. The next move of the
direct primary advocates will be made
on the national conventions.
The movement varies in tie several
States. according to local conditions. Of
course. For sake OF an example take
the case Of Tennessee. which is Just now
midway between the convention and pri-
mary system. Two years ago NJ r. Pat
terson, one OF the Democratic asplrants
FOR governor. demanded that the State
committee order a primary. The conven-
ton forces won, and no primary was
held. But the aspirant who demanded
the primary was nominated by the con
venton and was elected governor.
This year former Senator Edward W.
Carmack became a candidate for the
Democratic nomination against Gov. Pat
terson. and he demanded a direct pri-
mary. Practically all county and city
nominations and all Congressional nomi-
nations in Tennessee are now made by
primaries. Nearly all or the Democratic
county committees joined IN a request 10
the State committee 10 leave the contest
Tor governor to direct primary But
the State committee. friendly 10 Gov. Pat
terSon, declined 10 concede TO these de-
mands, and instead ordered a primary
convention plan. Under this scheme n
general primary election IS being held In
tennessee to-day. The two aspirants
Tor governor will be voted for in each
county. and the delegates 10 the nominat-
ing convention viii be instructed 10 vote
as unit for that candidate receiving a
majority in the county.
Thus the electoral college plan IS prac-
tically applied 10 the race. Senator Car
mack has made the direct primary the is
sue IN the campaign. and has declared
that he VIII not accept the nomination un-
less he has a popular majority Of the
votes cast over the whole State Gov.
Patterson defends the primary convention
plan, and says that he Will take the nom
ination If he has a majority Of the dele
gates, even II his opponent has a ma
jOrity Of the popular vote. The news
papers tO-morrcw viii tell the result Of
the contest, but as prohibition rs the
chief issue. the question OF how Tennes-
see stands on the direct primary question
may not be settled. The defeat OF Gov
Hoke Smith, Of Georgia, by Little Joe"
Brown was reacuonary in more ways
than one, as it involved a protest against
direct primary which took away the
balance of power from the smaller coun-
ties.
Kentucky has been one Of the most con-
servative of States in its election laws,
all voting having been done by the open
viva voce method until 1891 The last Of
the States to adopt the secret ballot, Ken
lucky now bows TO the reign Of the direct
primary. 1t has been the cause Of many
party feuds and factional fights, but II is
now accepted as an institution
Whether or not the voters in a primary
are wiser in their selection Of candidates
than delegates in convention IS an open
question. But the effect Of the primary
on party government is undoubtedly for
the better. Important as political organi-
cations are to the business Of govern
ment under our system. II was not until
the primary asserted its power that the
parties were given legal recognition.
The necessity Of enacting laws to pro-
tect the primary elections and TO prevent
fraud, has caused the legislatures OF
many States TO enact laws which govern
parties and methods Of making nomiDa-
tions. This has prevented the snap
nominations which were frequent IN tho
old days. when the only party laws were
those promulgated by the party commit
tee, and which could be changed at tho
will Of that body.
If the present disposition Of both