The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-09-27
FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE DAN
VILE REGISTER

LILLE ftt&slSlRh
Our esteemed contemporary. the DanrtHc
Register, makes long and labored reply to an
editorial appearing in me Ttrginian In which
we defended the primary system Much of what
the writer says is not germane to the question
at issue
II really does matter that the Indcr-
appeal favors a submission Of the matter to
the Democratic voters Of the State We have
no objection Much as We believe in the pri-
mary, We believe in the right of the people to
rule and. If "a majority of the voters
should register their verdict III favor of the pre-
cinct meeting and convention, we would cheer
fully acquiesce in the plan But willingness
TO submit to the viii Of the majority does not
indicate either that the convention is the best
method Of nomination or that majority OF tho
voters would declare. We are surprised,
however, that the Register does not call for a
referendum by way of ward meetings and the
convention. II that is the most effective plan of
determining the Will of the majority in the
Of nominations. why not in this other
matter?
II Is SIN more surprising that the Register
should have suggested by implication that the
fnGe2-Appeal rather favorable to the
ention. when IN the issue and upon the
page OF editorial We reproduced the
de&-AppeaI:
Not Backward But Forward
convention Of Democrats in Henry county
has gone on record as opposed to the constitu-
ton OF Independence. The primary law Is here
10 stay. The next step is not backward, but
onward, and should be IN the nature Of a legal
lied primary around which shan be thrown all
the safeguards the law can provide.
The Register Is right in suppoBng that the
editor Of The Twginiau has never attended
convention for the nomination OF State officers
or congressman But what has that to do with
the merits Of the case? The delegates to these
conventions go there already instructed and
pledged, rule The work has already been
done in the ward meetings These meetings
have been frequently held at such inconyenient
places and times and in such uneommodious
quarters absolutely forbid the attendance Of
the of voters. For this reason, aud the
further fact that they often packed by the
partisans Of certain aspirants and manipulated
by professional politicians, do not believe
that under the system the mass of the voters
have fair and suitable opportunity OF ex-
pressing their preferences.
The fact that the convention gave MS good
nominees fer governor. congressman and sena-
tors does demonstrate that it is the best
plan The truth u.s. public sentiment has de-
manded the nomination Of decent and able men
for these high Offices They would have been
nominated by either method We have been pc.
cuarly fortunate in Virginia in the fact that
public sentiment has never been so corrup, as
to stomach the nomination and election of
corrupt and unworthy men for high Office 1t
has not always been true in reference to some
of the lesser Offices Notably in one or two
of municipalities; aud in some Of the States
where corrupt politicians have possessed great
power be 1eople have rebe,'ea against the
ward meeting and convention because by this
method unworthy men have been exalted to
office against the viii and to the disgust OF
the people
We for the primary because it most
nearly fulhlls the ideal, and meets the demand
of popular government No valid denial OF
this fact can be urged If ir its practical opera
tion faults have developed and dissatisfac-
ton exists, this reveals not that the principle
is wrong. but that the application Of the prin
cipie Is responsible And just at THIS very
point are contending for such enactment
faults and the perfection Of the system
direct primary, under the protection Of the
Law with adequate penalty for violation ad-
minstered upon nou-partisan basis would
more nearly guarantee an equal opportunity to
all voters and q square deal to all conditions
than any other Imaginable expedient But
thing is sure When election officials are
appointed by partisan electoral boards wher
partisan officials active in advising voters
upon the outside; when certain candidates ar,
allowed representation upon the inside
when Irregularities go unpublished: when Re
publcans are permitted to vote according It
the exigences OF the situation. there will Be
great dissatisfaction But this is not the prim
AIRY. This Is travesty. a burlesquo indeed
a tragedy.
An elaborate discussion of the question de
mands space than can spare at thli
time But readers will find valuable suggestions
~ to the merits of Iegalized primary ant
- TO plans that have proven successful ant
satisfactory In another column careful
Teading will be convincing
Our contemporary charges that we are fol
owing fad because 1t is popular. We con