The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-09-24
is IT THE PRACTICABLE WORK
ING OF OUR PRIMARY
SYSTEM?

-
Exposition sends us copy of the
Portland Oregonian. with the follow
ing editorial marked, with the Request
that we copy and comment on the
same. So we invite a controversy o.
the subject
Is what the writer says the practi-
cal working of the primary system?
We shall be pleased TO print what
Messrs. L'Engle, Broward, Taliaferro,
Blount. Reeves and Pasco, candidates
for United States senator. see fit TO
write on the subject.
The editorial of the Oregonian for
lows:
Equality has a wrong definition, or
there is wrong conception of il, in
some of the utterances of modern de-
mocracy. The idea of those who as
sumo the direction of modern demcc-
racy is TO eliminate superior intelli-
gence and efficiency, and, by bringing
to the leadership of affairs men of in.
ferior abilities and talents, to estab-
lish the equality of the whole cIti-
zenship
Now, undoubtedly, all citizens have
equal rights, under law and govern
ment. But they haven't equal powers
of mind and intellect. Here, however,
are self-prOclaimed apostles of liberty
and freedom and equality and rights
of man, who, to establish the principle
of equality of citizens. would ignore
capacity and fitness in the selection
of men to direct the affairs of the
state. The maxim is that one man is
as good as another. So he is-as a
man entitled to his rights of person
and property and family, and prOtec-
ton of law in all his relations as a
citizen. But the assumption is that
one is as fit for management and di-
rection of public affairs as another
One can't get employment as plumb
er or boiler-maker unless he shall
first have passed an examination that
proves him fit; but he is born with
the temper and qualifications and
learning necessary to fit him to be
Judge, a mayor, a governor or a SEN
ator This is the Interpretation of our
primary law, with its appendix of
Statement One" 1t simply is the
Jack Cade principle of politics and
government; for which read the Sec
ond part of King Henry VI. passim.
The assumption is that all men not
only have equal rights, which is a
democratic truth, but that they have
equal abilities and fitness for the d.
rectiOn of the affairs of the state,
which is the grOssest of errors. 1t is
in this spirit that the Interpretation
of our primary law, which hitherto
has prevailed, invites every man to be
candidate, tells the weakest and
least fit that he has the same
rights as others, that his merits have
too long been overlooked, and thar
now is his time to present himself
for leadership in the affairs of the
state.
This produces a scramble for office,
from which the men most fit absent
themselves. The evil can be correct
ed only by conventions or assemblies,
representing parties and offering can
didates who will be representative
men.
Under the primary law as we have
il the effort hitherto has been to bring
mediocrity and inferiority to the front.
That always will be its tendency and
effect, unless directed by the cOnven-
ton system. Political parties are
means through which representative
government is assured. There can be
no representative government without
them. There must be some agency
for concentration of the purposes of
the masses of people, who have COM
mon ideas and purposes of govern
ment. But the direct primary, as
heretofore used in our state, destroys
or defeats party action.
Its purpose is to eliminate the lead
ership of the strongest and ablest
men. False conception of equality
requires this, or calls for it. The
ablest man in a majority party is a
boss" His supporters constitute a
machine" Down then, with the
ablest man, with the ablest men, AMI
with their supporters Every man is
fit and competent as any other or ev-
cry other, in the government of the
state, and in the direction of its NJ
fairs. Yet sayages and gangs of boys
on the street have sense enough to
choose the most sagacious to lead in
counsel; and even pirates will put the
best navigator in charge of the ship
But in matters of state the principles
of equality calls for rejection of the
principle or method, and no thought
is to be taken about the qualifications
of the man who insists on the place
at the helm. He is popular: he is a
good fellow; he flatters ''the people,
he wants the job. And he will surely
get it, over any man better qualified |
for it than he is-because there is |
felt to be certain kind of aristocracy
in talent and capacity. which should |
shut out any man for whom these |
qualities are claimed.
This is the way an unguided pri- |
mary wOrks-a primary not guided by |
representative selection. The fact is /
fully understood from experience and |
from the result. Hence the recogniz- /
ed necessity of the representative as
al