The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-21
FRIDAY, OCTOBER II, 1910.
MAZE THE PRIMARIES HONEST.

MAKE THE PRIMARIES HONEST
we favor honesty in elections, and
to that end recommend to the Legis-
lature the passage of bill legalRlng
all primaries in the state
This resolution was adopted by the
Democratic Convention of the Second
is room for an honest difference of
opinion as to the merits of the pri-
mary system of making nominations
Tor office. The results -btained by
this system have not always been
satisfactory. In some of the States,
notably in one which we have in mind,
better men were named for Office by
the old convention plan than by the
primary system; but 1t Is claimed that
when securely guarded and honestly
administered the primary system af-
fords the best and most democratic
method of selecting candidates for
office
We do not intend to discuss either
view of the question at this time; but
as the primary system has been adopt
I'd in this State we agree wholly with
the declaration of the convention at
Suffolk that it should be 'legalized'-
that is to say. that every provision
the law can make for the honest con-
duct of the primaries should he made.
Under the law, as it stands, it is doubt
full that those who engage in sharp
practice at the primaries can be pun
!shed by law.
The recent experiences in the Sec
ond District have proved that the
Democrats are not always as honest
as they might be, among themselves
at least. and the declaration in favor
of legalized primaries is for the pur-
pose of assuring the honest conduc,
of these elections in the future. This
is a step in the right direction
movement which should have behind il
the support of all honest men in the
General. Assembly.
If we really mean business" we
should go at the settlement of this
Important question in thoroughly
businesslille way. In a .'legalized pri-
mary law. provision should be made
for the registration of all Democratic
voters. for the organization of Demo
cratic clubs in the several districts
and communities, for the appointment
CT managers or judges of elections So
that they will be responsible for any
failure to administer their function.
"a; I,slsl
the candidates for Office. No person
should be permitted to vote ata Demo
cratic primary who is not qualified I,
vote at the general election; who ha,
not reached his majority; who has no
paid his poll tax and his other taxes
as well; who has not complied witt
all the terms of the law requiring his
registration as a voter No act should
be passed touching the conduct of the
primary election that is not horse high
pig tight and bull strong" The pen :
alties for any violation of the terms
OF the law shonld be made so severe
that they VIII deter any voter, how
ever active his partisanship. from en-
7't7 "'ts uiShoHest practice at
the primary. If we really mean to be
honest there can be no objection to
these suggestions.
Membership in Democratic club
should not entitle a man to vote at
the primaries who is not qualified ia
vote at the general election. The man
agement of the primaries under such
law as this would entail new bur
dens upon the people, but if the re.
suits should assure honesty in the
management of party affairs the people
would be more than compensated 70,
me expense and trouble of keeping the
politics of the party clean.
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REGULATION or EMPRESS RATES
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