The Washington herald., 1909-01-09
A Fight for the Primarr Srstem.

Gov. Hughes has entered On the final
stage Of his conflict with the New York
bosses by attacking them in the very
citadel of their power. the caucus and
convention system Of nomination his
annual message 70 the legislature comes
out strongly for the direct primary
method of making party nominations and
for a modified form Of the official ballot.
permitting voters to exercise more freely
than they now do their personal choice
Of candidates. It has long been antiei-
pated that Gov. Hughes would take this
course. but he does so in the face Of
tremendous opposition within and with
out his party, and in contravention OF
the declarations OF the most recent Re
publican State platform As a manifesto
ton Of political Independence in behalf
OF more democratic methods Of carrying
on popular government, the contest now
begun in New York viii attract wide
attention.
Gov. Hughes recommends the primary
election on two main grounds: That il IS
necessary for the publication Of govern
ment. and that it is essential 70 the
publication Of the party system. Under
existing methods Of party leadership
both party and government tend TO drift
away from popular control, and the whole
theory upon which representative govern
ment IS based. that IL VIII express the
matu-ed judgment OF the governed. IS
overrhrown Power becomes intrenched
IN INSCRIPTIONS cabals. which discourage
any real leadership in politics and keep
down men OF honesty and ability. Candi-
dates for Office feel themselves account
able. not 10 the people. nor even 10 the
party. but only 10 the bosses 10 whom
! they owe preferment- How this system
/ operates 70 the degradation OF govern
ment. Gov. Hughes clearly points out:
To the extent that party machinery csu be dom
mated by the few. the opportunity for SPECIAL in
teresrs which desire 10 control The administration
O. government. 20 shape the laws. % prevent the
nassa-e q laws. OF C. break the laws with im-
runi.y. Is increased. These interests are ever a.
vorS. stsalulily and Ie1stently es5eaToring 70
rrrart the government % the service of their own
ends All that is worst in or p1bIic life fnds
it, rsadest uezas of Access % powe- through tse
control q the nominating machinery q parties
Party examination needs constantly % deEend 5tself
from these encrolchuents and The people fo- Their
rro7er security 7unst see that the defenses are bt
/ Is strongly a. possible
1 10 system Of nomination. OF course. IS
/ a perfect guarantee against abuses OF
against the choice OF improper OF unfit
men. The primary system may. and
sometimes does, lend itself 90 manipula-
/ ton By vsnaI politicians. But its great
merit is that it is always open 10 the
people by participation in a primary TO
express their own viii and purpose il
nominations. Il affords an opportunity
for the working out Of popular govern
ment. Il gives a chance for the over
throw OF bosses and seIf-constituted
i political leaders that seldom comes under
/ the convention system. What occurs now
is well designated by Gov, Hughes 9
''peversion Of representation. in that
( the conscious purposes Of the voters faI
TO find expression in the performance Of
their chosen servants True representa-
ton should rest on the whole body Of
voters. Power should come from the bot.
tom upward, not from the top down.
ward.
The extension OF the direct primary hs.
been one Of the remarkable phases o.
our recent political development It
! yet in the experimental stage, but tht
experiment seems worth while. Whether
: Gov. Hughes succeed or fail. his effort.
, 10 put the boss-riddsn Commonwealth o.
T New York OF a democratic basis vii
have a wholesome influence over partie.
and the people. A victory for the gov
ernor win be the greatest triumph Of hi
career
ss-F-to-, ebeTt not SleIpbF' II is No