Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-18
EDITOR eRANT, STANDPATTER,
TELLS WHY he FAvoR9
PLAN.
SUPPORTER OF TAFT SAYS
COST IS NO OBJECTION
Plea That System Would Disrupt Party
Deemed Wholly Unreasonable = II
Taft 10 Not Choice Of Iowa, President
Wants to Know lt-Brant First
Suggested Plan.

Iowa City. Oct. 1s.-David Brant,
editor of the Republican, who first sug-
gested the holding of a presidential
primary, having been asked for a more
extended statement of his views on the
subject said:
when I suggested the holding Of
such a primary. I did not have in mind
what would be the results; hat is.
who would carry the state. I realized
that a serious problem confronts the
party and I ! believed then and now that
a primary could be held which would
determine the choice Of the republicans
of Iowa in a fair. orderly manner.
Il notice that the Sioux City Journal
and some other papers raise the Gues-
ton OF cost. placing the amount at
Sl5o.0Q0. This shows mere guesswork,
with a desire to mislead the people.
Such an expense would mean about
SO for each voting precinct in the
state. This shows the statement
absurd. Another objection is raised on
the superstition that friend of each can
didate for president would have candi-
dates for delegates-at-large and that
such delegates would be voted for all
over the state. l do not suppose that
any friend Of the primary expects any
such vote to be taken. II ould entail
a vast expense upon candidates. ex-
penses n time far bevond the posi-
bilities or inclination Of men to bear.
1 assume that delegates would be chos-
en- TO county conventions at the pri-
mary and that they would select state
delegations. who. in turn. would elect
district and delegates-at-larse.
Real Object Of Plan.
The real object Of h primary cleo
ton is to get an expression Of the
choice of the republicans Of the state
for the republican candidate for presi-
dent I assume that any primary which
might be held would have ballots IN
which would appear the names Of the
candidates.. and the voters would ex-
press themselves as to such candidates.
I assume further that in counties the
delegates chosen to the state nven
ton, as we'll as district convention.
would be chosen to represent the ma
jority expressed in such county, just as
would be the case if caucuses were
held.
There is a rule Of the republican ma
tional convention which should not re
overlooked. In the convention Of 1880,
1t was held. after a three days fight,
that the districts should elect their
own delegates and that the state only
could elect the four delegates at large.
It is hardly likely that a rule followed
strictly by all conventions since that
time would be set aside and the vote
Of the state govern in the districts. The
candidate who secured the majority IN
a congressional district. as represented
in the district caucus or convention,
would get the delegates. as he would
if the caucuses were held.
These things are mentioned to show
that party precedent snd national con
vention rules preclude the possibility
of any revolution OF ~precedents II a
primary is held instead Of
Unreasonable Criticism.
1.-The most unreasonable objection to
the primary is the one which involves
the question Of party disruption. This