Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-04-08

lied statement setting forth I'm detail
complete record of his expenditures OF
money or other thing of value by himself
or his agents for the purpose of securing
a nomination to office. The eXpendi-
lures were limited to expenses incidental
to travelling, to writing, printing and
transmitting letters, circulars, or other
publication. for postage, telegraph and
telephone. The amount to be so eXpend-
ed being limited to $500 for governor
$1,000 for congressman and other state
officers and $3.50 for county officers
1t provided further for stiff penalties
for expenditures of more than the speci-
fed amounts, or for other purposes tnan
specified, or for failure to file statements.
The act also provides for the adoption
of the party platform by a council consis-
ting of the candidates and the party COM
mittees
BY these provisions it will be seen that
the aim OF the proposed act was to throw
around the selection of candidates for
office those projections which would in
sure to the people the absolute record
! ing of their will and thereby Increase the
certainty Of perpetuation of republican
| institutions. The purchasing Of office,
| the consequent degradation of citizen
| ship, ana the public service would be no
| longer possible under its provisions. 1t
would guard against assaults upon the
| fundamental principle of our government
the rule of the people.
Where In Force.
The proposed method is not radical or
revolutionary. Its adoption would not be
leap in the dark. 1t is not an expert
ment. 1t is now in force in twenty
eight states Of the Union. Contests are
now being waged in several states for
the law, which are sure of ultimate sue
cess Eighteen states have mandatory
| laws, requiring the use of the method in
| OF ga al mi r.
fees. Five have mandatory laws covering
certain localities, and five have permits
sVe primary election laws. So ii appears
that the direct primary method is the
most usual system, for naming candi
dates now in vogue 1t was first used in
Crawford County, Pa, by the Republi
can party in the year 1860, and has been
contiued in force in that county ever
since. OF the thirty-one United States
senators elected in 1908, seventeen were
nominated by means OF the direct pri-
mary, and of the thirty-one governors
fifteen were nominated by the same meth.
cd. 1t came into use in Minnesota clever
years ago, Michigan and other states ther
took it up, and it has since spread rapid!
through the West and the Middle West
The struggle now on in New York between
| Gov Hughes and the politicians is tYpi
cal of all contests for the adoption of tn,
method. Gov. Hughes and the primar!
idea are sure to win. 1t will be adopte,
because it is right and what is right soon
er or later prevails in the affairs of men
Advantages of the Direct Primary.
l. 1t means responsibility of the ofiicia
to the voter, instead of responsibility T.
the political worker
>. 1t is the simpler method
, 3. 1t makes the exercise of corrupt in
y fluence over nominations more difficult
4. Under the direct primary more in
: terest is taken in the nominations. |
. brings out regularly, on an average
three times more of the voting strength q
the party than under the caucus system.
- 5. 1t insures more nearly a rule Of tn
. people
y 6. 1t banshes into the darkness of pol
a tical oblivion, those little men which tn
caucuses tend to make great, and ele
- Yates to the public service those grea
men which the caucusses naturally max
. little.
. But these advantages, with the conser
= Of the editor, we will discuss in a late
- issue.
S Very truly yours.
a E. w. Gibson.
q Bratteboro Vt, April 4. 1910.