Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-23
TO BEGIN NEW RULE
Nominations by Primaries to
Be Made in New Hampshire.
RESULT OF LONG EFFORT
Four Years of Work by the
Progressives.
STATE RIPE FOR REFORM
RESULT OF LONG EFFORT
STATE RIPE FOR REFORM
Division in the Republican Ranks.
Democrats United-Apprehen-
sion and Aims of Leaders.
Special From a STAFF Correspondent.

CONCORD, n. H., July 23.-When one
stops to realize that in staid and con-
servative old New Hampshire, the sup
posed home of all reactionary and stand
pat Virtues-or vices, as you please-there
will actually go into operation September
II the nomination of elective candidates
by direct primaries one gathers an idea
of the change that has come DER the
spirit of the dreams of New England
politicians in one section.
A system regarded as peculiarly the
property of radical states of the west to
land commonwealth-isn't that a striking
commentary upon the growth of pro-
gressiveness in the republican party? If
situation in this state he would have
been written down as dreamer.
Yet it has taken only four years Of
effort to bring about this political miracle
in New Hampshire. A small group of
determined men-cal them reformers,
fanatics, visionaries, anything you please,
for they will not care-set out to do this
job and they have succeeded. Along with
it they have brought statutory control
of the lobby that dominated the legisla-
tu1S, tne U1OSl StIlScuI dItl-PdSS Id " >
in the United States and progress in the
direction of equalization of taxation, so
as to require corporations to pay more
taxes.
They found situation in the state
ripe for reform. No man but one with
a disposition so disingenuous as to lead
him to cheat himself playing solitaire
would deny that the politics and leglSla-
ton of the state were dominated by the
principal railroad system of the state.
No candidate for an important nomina-
ton could secure it if the railroads were
opposed to him. That was mild way
of putting it. No proponent OF leglsia-
tion could hope to pass it until he had
delivered to the railroad lobbyists. 1t
was determined by the uplifters that the
only way to change that condition was
to change the system of nominations.
take them away from the convention
dominated by a few leaders and put
them in the hands of the people.
After four years effort they have sue
ceeded.
Voters to Record Their Choice.
The second Tuesday in September the
voters will go to the polls and nominate
their candidates for governor, other state
officers, legislature and two representa-
tives in Congress. In November they
will vote upon the selection of the rival
political parties. The November election
will show whether the fight which has
brought about the change in the system
was worth while or not to the repub-
lican party. 1t may show that it has
been a mighty bad thing for the repub-
lican party and good for the democrats.
Bear in mind that this movement for
political betterment has been conducted
within the republican party by the lead
ers-that is to say, the leaders have
fought their battles in the preliminary
rounds and have stood up for the partys
and file, however. They have been stirred
to a pitch of resentment and a fervor
of enthusiasm for their cause that have
led them to ignore party ties on election
day and vote for principles. not party
candidates.
That was shown in the close vote for
governor two years ago. when the repub-
lican incumbent squeezed through by
thousand ma ajority. Do you suppose all
those opposition votes were SimOn-pure
democrats in this republican state? Not
by a long shot. They included former re-
publicanS who voted the democratic ticket
to register grievances against their own
party.
Apprehension of Republicans.
Thoughtful republican leaders, with the
interests of their own party sincerely at
heart, realize that there may be danger
again in November and are devoting
their best effort to avoiding it. 1t cannot
be told until after the primary nomina-
tions what will be the prospect of success
on this score.
The republican party is divided. closely
divided within its ranks, over the char
acter of man to be selected as the
republican candidate for governor. the
division representing the difference be-
tween progressives and regulars. The pro-
gressives have selected as their candi
date for the gubernatorial nomination, to
be voted upon in the primaries, Robert
P Bass one of the active men in the
movement which brought about enactment
of the primary law. The regulars have
put forward Bertram Z. Ellis, one of the
old guard.
The democrats probably will unanimous
y agree upon Clarence +. Carr as their
candidate a man with clean record and
of unquestioned ability, possessing the
confidence of all classes. Now the PROPOSE
tions the republicans will have to face
are these. opposing the contest between
Bass and Ellis should be acrimonious and
close and the winners majority should be
narrow:
If the regulars should win would the
leaders hold the rank and file of the
progressives to the ticket, or would the
latter again. as they die two years ago.
but in greater numbers flock to Carr
who. after ALL is their kind of man in
many ways?
The other proposition is: suppose the
progressives' aspirant wins the nomna-
ton. which would mean reorganization
of the machine In every district. casting
out of the old hands who have run it
for generation. would the regulars be
almost as willing to have a democrat
carry the state?
Now upon those two propositions one
gets all kinds of opinions in Concord The
question cannot be answered until after
the primaries and it is determined how
deep are the scars of battle To the lay
mind it looks as If the republicans were
in to catch it coming and going and that
only the democrats were on easy street
Agreement on Congressman.
But it is very evident that the repub-
licans realize the seriousness Of the situa-
ton and are earnest in their efforts to
get together. This is shown in the tacit
understanding that the two representa-
tives in Congress, Currier and Suloway,
are not to be opposed in the primaries for
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