The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-02
DIRECT CHOICE 0F NOMINEES
 WORKS WELL
Argument faYoring Direct Primaries by
 Frear of Wisconsin.
He Points Onf Particularly That the System Does not Destroy Party
 Organization.

Hartford, March 2-Members of the General Assembly have received cop les of the reply made by James A. Frear, Secretary of State of Wiscon- sin, to light objections to direct nomi- nations made by William Barnes, Jr.,
 Of New York. against the direct nomi- nations bill pending in that Stare.
 The copies are sent out by persons who favor the passage of direct nomination bill in this State.
 Frear assisted in drafting the Wis consin Direct Primary statute, and took charge of it in the Legislature when it became law. He had been successful in four separate conventions held to make nominations for different offices. In three subsequent elections he was nominated under the primary.
 FTear's judgment of the two sys- terms Is based upon experience in poll tics and as an office-holder in many positions, from District Attorney to n1ents were forwarded to Frear as be- ing among the principal objections ad- vanced against the direct primary Frear replied as follows:
 Replying to the first proposition which you present, II will say that the direct primary is in no way a blow at representative government It is rather a direct exemplication of repre- sentative government, for the official chosen is the sole representative known to the law, and individual electors 2tOW nave d 0lTSCC VOlCo III nlak1nS this selection. No candidate can shirk responsibility nor have his position re- main undeclared under that primary. He is directly accountable to the vot- CTS and must go to them for his in- dorsement and support.
 Answering your second question, it depends upon circumstances whether the man seeks the office or the office the man. Examples of both condi- tions are to be found under the pri- mary, the same as under the caucus system, the material distinction lying in the final selection, which is made directly by the people, not by dele gates
 4'The third question you ask is, Does it disbar a poor man in favor of the rich, by making two campaigns nec- eSSary instead Of one?' It certainly makes more expensive campaign as now conducted, because each candidate prosecutes his individual campaign or his friends do so for him, and it is practically impossible to carry through a slate under the primary election All of the present State officers in Wisconsin are what would be known as men of modest means. Their se- lection resulted from their attitude on public questions or legislative record in recent years.
 Fourth, you ask if the primary fa- vors the agitator and the demagogue This depends upon circumstances Both may be found under either system. Lincoln, Roosevelt and La. Toilette have all been so classed by opponents. The general public is usually able to well as can any particular class and Lincoln's homely illustration, under the primary, makes it hard to fool all the people all the time.
 Fifth, you ask if the direct primary is unfair because it permits the nomi- nation of a candidate who may be se- 1ected by a minority vote. Again this is subject to controversy. Successful n A majority of the votes cast at the pri- mary, but 1t is equally true that manyl candidates do not receive a majority of the delegate votes under the con amount of trading, bargaining or promising has been engaged in to market the product General elections also frequently result in the selection of minority candidates. The second choice ballot may obtain a. majority expression at the primary if so de- sired.
 sixth, you ask, if applied in State | elections, will it favor populous cen tres as against scattered populations. | In Wisconsin, Milwaukee, the metrop- | olis. has more than 900 inhabitants. | The second city, Superior, has approx | imately 10000 Of the five State of | ficers elected. under the primary cleo | ton, only two, the Lieutenant Cover | nor and Attorney General, represent cities of more than 5000 inhabitants, | and several of the State officers come | from still smaller communities. The unsuccessful candidate for Attorney | General was from Milwaukee. While | U IS true that large municipalities af- | iord proportionately large vote, so also they furnish many candidates IL IS equally true that local jealousies talu Iack Of interest in State affairs apparently counter-balance any sup posed adVantage possessed by the city. Select1ons ordinarily made under the conVentlon system, as well as under ene primary, support this statement. |
 seventh, you say, while aiming at oestruction or party organization does the primary make the latter more cor rups or more radical to suit the whims ly not. Your first ass,,rnntion is wrong The primary does not destroy party organization or aim to do so. It the public records of candidafes ana