The Washington herald., 1908-02-09
APPEALS TO VOTERS
Mr. LOudenslager Calls Pri-
marieS Important,
DISTRICT SHOULD WAKE UP
Member of House frOm New Jersey
Interested in Local Affairs Hopes
Selection of Republican Delegation
VIII Not BE ''Farce"-PeOpIe should
Realize It's Significance.

Il sincerely trust TO see the spring
primaries something more than the usual
cut and dried aftair-or worse-a farce. %
Believing that the coming District pri-
maries. which will be held for the selec-
ton Of delegates TO the Republican ma
tional convention Of June 16. are Of the
utmost Importance. Representative Harry
Loudenslager, Of New Jersey, secretary
Of the Republican Congressional commit
tee. yesterday expressed this hope.
Mr. Loudenslager has always been in
terested i'm the affairs of the District so
that his views on the coming primaries
over which there has been comparatively
little interest in the past are of much
importance TO Republican voters.
1T has alwsys seemed extremely re-
gretable to me" said Mr.. Loudenslager,
that the Republicans Of the District do
not make the most Of such opportunities
as they have for participating in the po-
litical activities of every four years. II
is true they can do no more than elect
two delegates to the national convention
Of their party. but IL seems unfortunate.
as long as there is even this opportunity.
that it does not appeal TO them as Of
sufficient Importance 10 enlist their in
terest.
Cause of Comment.
I make this comment as a consequence
of reading the appeal TO the Republican
voters of the District of Columbia, issued
a week or so ago by Sidney Bieber. chair
man Of the board Of elections of the Re-
publican primaries If the voters OF the
District could be brought 10 realize the
Importance Of the fact stated by Mr..
Bieber. that exercise Of the political fran
chise is one Of the chief duties Of citizen
ship. and would demonstrate their per
sonaI interest in the primaries by regis
tering and voting for their respective can
didates. they would undoubtedly be In a
vastly better position TO present to the
their claims for the reCog-
milton Of the principle of local Offices for
local men
IN the absence OF the elective fran
chise here in the District. the right to
vote for delegates 10 the Republican ma
tiOnal convention should be looked upon.
in my opinion, in the light OF privilege,
and every voter should zealously guard It
as such.
Political inertia, whether with respect
to national, State, or municipal elections,
or. for that matter. to a. contest for the
selection Of convention delegates. is indie
atlVe OF an unhealthy condition, and
must inevitably exercise a deterrent IN
huence upon the material and political
Of the community in which
il is found. Particularly is IL unfortu-
nate when such inertia Is found TO be
confined to the better element Of the pop
ulatiOn; to the people who could exercise
a vast influence for good, but who are
too careless, too lazy, or too indifferent
to make the attempt.
Has Been UndeFestImated,
"As Mr.. Bieber says in his appeal. the
Importance OF the primaries in a strictly
local sense has been greatly underesti-
mated I can think Of nothing that would
do more TO help the District OF Columbia
in a material way, besides elevating It
in the opinion of those who
have always viewed the political situa-
tiOn here with something akin TO con-
tempt than a convincing demonstration
at the polls that the people OF Washing
ton are not lacking to any degree in the
pride of citizenship and the power Of
political conviction.
TOrganizations and individuals should
work together for the good of the party
and the good Of the whole people Of the
District The two delegates selected at
the primaries to be sent 10 the convention
should be entirely representative of the
choice of the qualified Republican voters.
and should be men of whom the whole
people of the District. irrespective of
party. can we'll afford to be proud
Hurries To Dying Son.