The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-02
Voice Of the People
The Primary sy.tcm.


10 the Editor OF The Times Dispatch;
Slr,-i congratulate The lines
pispatch on It's change OF mind in re-
gard to the primary. l have observed
for some time, that its faith in the
system was weakening, and that II was
veering back towards the good old
fashioned convention method of nomi-
mating candidates. The Times-Dis-
patch was one OF the earliest adyo-
Gates OF the primary. Indeed. it stood
sponsor for the thing at the time of
us birth. and until recently nourished
anu Rugged 1T to its bosom with al
most idolatrous affection 1t did more
TO establish it and to fasten 1t on the
party than any other paper in the
state True, 1t was honest in It's
opinions, Tor the man who was at the
helm was honest and sincere and in
capable Of espousing and supporting
any cause the Justice of which did not
nave the sanction OF his convictions 1t
beIieved that conventions were ma
nipulated by few designing party
leaders for their own beneht-a sort
or perpetuating dynasty--and that
the people had no say in the selection
or the candidates for whom they were
required To vote 1t believed that II
was due to the same sinister influ-
ences that an obscure" man was elect
ed to the United States Senate instead
OF n distinguished Confederate general,
whose triumph the charm of the name.
everybody supposed. assured, and
thereby an outrage had been per-
petrated on the people, and that If
they We're permitted to record an cx-
preston OF their will at the polls 1t
would never be repeated. Ana this
'damnuble Outrage, as The Times
Dispatches more wicked political allies
styled 1t, started, or at least gave q
fresh and swift impetus to. the hys-
terical hue and cry against the mass
meeting and convention methods, and
which resulted in the change in the
party law from this method 10 the
primary system. But we all know that
the canon. or cannon, If you please.
was aimed specifically AT the Obscure"
Il puzzle to the man behind 1t The test
came. At the first primary held In
pursuance of the abominable system
for the nomination of his successor he
the people, well done, good and faith
full servant" and their positive COM
mand to return to his. seat in the
Senate. and it looks now like he will
continue to hold and honor ii for many
years to come, whatever mode of
nominating candidates shall prevail.
Tho Times-Dispatch several years
ago. len the primary seemed to be
losing it's popularity. and 1t was striv-
ing TO bolster it up, gave the writer
an occasion to express his sentiments
regarding the primary through it's col
umns. 1t caused to be addressed a
circular letter to each member of the
Democratic Executive Committee ask
ing whether he favored an adjustment
or continuation Of the primary The
writer at the time happened to no
n member OF the committee. and he
replied substantially as follows: 1 am.
and nave been. opposed to the primary
system from the first and the more 1
see of the results OF its operation the
stronger is my aversion to IL: that it
engcnders strife and factions in the
party, is too costly. limits competition
for tie higher Offices to the wealthy
class. thereby frequently excluding
he al L
compels the voters to choose from
among self-selected candidates, and
that as scheme to prevent fraud and
manipulation. as Its friends claimed, 1t
!s stupendous failure and that II I
had the authority l would blot 1t out
of the party code.
The editorial in last TUESDAYS issue
under the heading. The Primary In
Texas" indicates. I rejoice to believe,
that The Times Dispatch has seen its
error. has discovered that the primary
is n dclusion and q humbug. and IS
about prepared to subscribe to the
above declarations and join the forces
that are lining up for It's obliteration
and for the restoration of the time
honored convention method and the
communication is to convey the ex-
preston OF his qualification at the
change of sentiment of The Times
Dispatch and the hope that Its present
DISTINGUISHED. accomplished and YER
satile editor who seems now almost
VIII soon be altogether persuaded TO
give his whole heart to the cause.
THOS. II. BARNES.
Suffolk, Va. June 20.