The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-08-25
PRIMARY. LAW
A STATE NEED
Hon. w. q. Nutter Discusses Stu
alton. Peoples Desire Cannot
Be Blocked.
SUGGEST REPUBLICANS
FOR 1912 USE PRIMARY
Suggests Method in Which Cost
Could be Apportioned Among
Candidates.


Sir: Some days since there appear
ed in your paper an able and well
written article from the pen OF the
Hon. j. W. Harmon OF Parsons. in
which article the writer very ably
discusses the Repblican situation / N
West Virginia. and makes some sug
e~estions a. To what might. could or
should be done about the party hav-
ing a statewide primary for all elect
I've Offices to be voted Tor in 1912.
The truth was being told when the
writer remarked that the people OF
West Virginia are decidedly progress
siye. and DESTROYS of having certain
abuses corrected. and certain re-
forms inaugurated: and particularly
Go they want the privilege To say who
hall serve them in the capacity Of
public officers. which privilege has
been very much denied them in re-
cent years through no fault of their
own.
The people know something near
what they want and intend TO have
IN the way OF d primary law. and it is
TOO late Tor the practical politicians
of either party 10 try to argue them
out OF the motion.
h time Tor argument has passed.
and nothing % remains but 10 give
the people an honest and well con
structed primary law under which
each mans vote will count one and
be counted as cast.
Primary Law Possible.
Such a law can be- passed by any
legislature that is fairly friendly TO
the primary plan OF nominating Of
iicers. regardless oil its political com
p%leNion.
At this time il will help the Repub-
lican party but little 10 jump up howl
about the record Of Tie Democrats in
the legislature last winter upon the
primary bill. for have not the legis-
i&turcs OF both parties and the organ
izatlOn OF both parties been some
what 10 blame Tor the people not hav-
ine "a primary law at this time?
The election Of 1910 was not a
Democratic victory. Ii was simply Il
Judgment by default against the Ike
publican party brought about by' Re
publ can voters a|bseuting themselves
from tu" polls. In other words. the
Democratic voters went 10 the elect
ION and found "a number OF good Of
nces lying around uncal.cd for. and
The Republican voters. thought thrice
soIcMn.y called cane not 70 claim
said Offices. 80 the Democrats carried
them away.
The Republican voters will open
Judgment upon those dc,aulted ollces
Ia West Virginia next year. il they
are given % iair show iu saying wins
the candidates for office shall bee. but
q such lair play be not given. or it
promised tie promise be- broken. "a
large number OF them will stay OF the
reservation as they did ia 1910.
a good majority OF the voters OF
tine state of West Virginia are Repub-
.icau IN principal and faith. and many
q them have only remained away
from the polls after "a severe struggle
With their instructive faith iu the
party. bur they have necn deeply
-r.eycd a. tAe situation as it has de-
yclolcI 90 the last few years. and
their minds are made up iu regard 20
having q change.
Enforce Present Law.
There is Uo Likelihood o. conditions
ari-lA- that would justify another
extra session a.. fle present lcrlsla-
t.r,. 90 that tho election o: 1911. wi..
have hceu over before another l,gi.
lat.rc 100 West VIrlla.a viii have %
chance 90 give tAe p-opl. a primary
law. hyt there D. 90 'Ilrly good law
ROW DOB force which would iu 90 great
measure protect and local primary.
and 30 b. would protect O. local pri-
mary why NOT 90 state wide one 90 fh.
-ar" Dec % d u.acr f.o direction
i--r..y ol tuc local County Commit