Evening journal., 1910-07-21
THURSDAY. JULY 81. 1910
DIRECT VOTE FOR SENATOR.


State Convention will be called upon to de-
eide whether or not the voters shall have some
direct word regarding the choice of the parry
for senator.
At first glance it would seem that such ques-
ton would resolve itself into conflict between
the conservative and radical wings OF the party
but this is not necessarily so. The Ohio Demo-
Gratis under the leadership of Governor Hartman re-
jected the Bryan plan of having the State con-
vention express its choice while the Indiana con-
vention followed that plan.
In Maryland, which is a conservative Democratic
State and in many other states various schemes
are followed for having the views OF the voters
as TO who shall be senator. Even in Delaware
MANY conservative Democrats may be found ad-
vocating the idea but it is probable that the ques-
ton. If it is injected into the next state con-
u1ntion will cause lively racket.
To~uany the plan os having a primary on the
same daN as the election appears 10 be better than
having the convention ndorse an aspTant'
although OF course arguments can be made TOT
both schemes.
If there are half dozen aspirants for senator
In the event Of Democratic success and The Jour
nal thinks there are surely that number, and the
convention should express itself in favor OF this
or that man. the other asprants would naturally
not he very much interested in the campaign lhey
would still be good Democrats and all that but
thew would not 20 out of their way 10 aid the
PARTY as there would he nothing in IL for them.
That course would be natural for selhshness is the
dominant thing in politics II is the underlying
note that governs all the acts Of politicians.
On the other hand primary could be held
on the same day as the ELECTION and the choice
Of the party could be expressed The interest of
all the Democratic aspirants would not flag. All
would have hopes until election day Democratic
voters would have an opportunity TO vote twice and
could repeat. How happy that would make some
of them who remember the old days when re-
peaters we're trumps
An argument in favor Of the direct vote is that
under the present system residents OF district
in which the party is in a minority have no say
in the choice of senator For instance Demo-
Gratis north of Sixth street in this city, or Demo-
Gratis of Milford hundred if the Democrats should
control the Legislature would have no voice in
saving who the senator should be because they
would have no member of the Legislature. A pri-
MARE vote would let them in. OF course pri-
mary vote would be binding, but it should give
the man who won at the primary an immense adj
vantage before the legislature. 1t is usually &C
cepted where followed, as binding.
Democrats are considering the matter. II is in
the stage of discussion, and it is highly probable
that it will come before the State convention. Per
haps some Democrat may be able TO suggest
another plan different from what has been consid
cred.
Any Democratic primary election would GER
tanly be interesting. The party leaders believ,
they have the best chance in years TO control III,
Legislature in fact TO win the State They arr
encouraged by the fact that the Republican ma
jorites have declined of late. With FIVE or 81,
aspirants for senatorial honors in a primary mix
up the fur would Fly, to the JOY of the onlooker.