Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-06-08
TUESDAY. JUNE s, 1909.
ASSESSMENT PLAN THE GREAT
FLAW IN PRIMARY SYSTEM.


system in Virginia. among whom Inc
Daily Press cannot be numbered, VIII
never be silenced as long as the pres
ent plan of requiring candidates III
state contests to bear the expense o'
conducting the elections contin-
ues In effect. Under the ex-
listing plan. the State committee
might as well hang out sign, mo
poor man need apply when primary
is held to nominate a candidate for
governor or for the United States
Senate. Even citizen of moderate
means is practically barred from these
contests, for man must DC fairly
we'll fixed financially to be able to
contribute si,5c0 on cold cash TO the
State Committee aud pay all of the
other various expenses Incidental to
a contest for Office.
In the campaign now going on
Judge Mann and Mr. Tucker will pay
1900 each for the privilege OF having
their names on the ticket. Before
the primary date rolls around. each OF
these gentlemen will have spent large
additional sums for the maintenance
of headquarters. postage, travelling ex-
penses and the expenses OF partisan
speakers. Probably $1,000 each is
conservative estimate OF what VIII be
spent. The candidates pay $4,000 each
for the privilege o: asking the Demo-
cratic voters to decide which one shall
be the party's nominee for governor.
How is an honest man VINO Is not pos
sessed OF considerable portion OF
worldly goods going to figure In any
such game as this? Senator Daniel,
who. 1t seems, will succeed himself
without opposition, must pay sl,50eI
to the State organization in order to
have himself declared the nominee.
This assessment feature is the one
great flaw in the primary system ~
is not right that the candidates should
have TO pay such sums. and the peoplel
VIII never he satisfied with the pri-
mary system until change is made.
The party itself should bear the ex
pense Of conducting primaries. Tee
party wants nominees for the variors
csices, and invites such OF its mem
bcrs who so desire to submit their
names to the voters in a primary Il
should: ~ possible forsany> Democrat
qualified to vote to have his name
placed on the ticket OF course every
man may spend what he likes in max
ing campaign. so long as he keeps
within the limits prescribed by law.
but the poorest member Of the psr;y
shorid have the privilege Of placing
his name before The voters on TIE
primary ticket
How the funds to defray primary
expenses shan b. raised in a question
Cor the party 20 decide. Perhaps is
would b. well for the party orEaaiza-
tion IN each county and city 10 pay all
expenses incident to the voting tn IT'S
precincts. and IN addition make q
coutribution 20 the state organization
IN order 10 DO this. without assessing
the candidates. u world be necessary
for the committees 10 solicit contri-
buttons from the individual members
q the party. Certainly some sisn
should b. decided upon. and dcc.ded
upon quickly. that wiIl relieve the can
didsies Of the ridiculouslr large az
sessmenss.
A. far az the iocai situation - con
ccrned. The assessments arr ~ pro
hihft.ve Nevertheless. even cards
dates for the iocsi oaices have to
pay 600 nnch. and The ssscssmcr,z
are excessive IN eosgrsssioaai con
tests.
Ths Dsn5 Pres strongly opposes