The Washington times., 1911-10-07
LET THE PEOPLE NAME
THEIR CANDIDATES.

The Presidential preference primary
is the method by which to let the peo-
pie decide whom they will have as
their candidates.
1t is worth while to note what the
Louisiana Democratic State commit
tee did, a day or two ago, in this
direction.
1t ordered Statewide primary cleo
tion, to be held on January 20. Here
is the sweeping program of business
that the Louisiana machine has abdi-
cated-turned over to the people:
Nomination of all State officers.
Nomination of two candidates for
United States Senators.
Election of a member of the Demo
cratic national committee.
Election of delegates to the Demo
cratic national convention.
Nomination of candidates for Presi-
Dental electors.
Popular expression of Presidential
preference, every voter indicating his
choice, and the delegates to be in
structed to support the winner in this
popular expression.
Every candidate for office is required
to make sworn statement of his re-
ceipts and distribution of campaign
funds, both before and after the pri-
mary.
Every candidate must also state all
pledges or promises he has made as
inducement to secure support.
For a State whose Democracy has
long been regarded as about the most
conservative in the land, that is a
pretty thoroughly Democratic pro-
gram. 1t has been forced upon the
State organization by reason of the
big fight for State control now being
waged. The Saunders machine was
simply compelled to concede all this
to the people in order to avoid utter
repudiation.
The outcome of the 1912 election
seems very likely to depend on the
MANNER IN WHICH THE NONI-
NATIONS ARE MADE. 1t is pretty
plain that if delegates are chosen in
the old way, by the State organiza
tions, President Taft will be renomi-
mated.
If so, he will be named, not as the
choice of the people, but as the choice
of the office holding politicians, those
of the South predominating.
Yet the South, while forcing the
nomination, will have no electoral
votes to contribute to the election.
On the other hand, if such a plan
as this of the Louisiana Democrats
could be adopted generally, it would
enable the people, not the machines
and the postmasters, to indicate whom
they wanted nominated.
They would not select a majority of
delegates for any one man. There
would be favorite sons and factional
candidates with punches of delegates,
and no man would go to the conVen-
tion with enough to nominate.
AS a result, the CONVENTION
would make the nomination. The re-
suit would not be assured before the
delegates assembled. Mr.. Taft would
not have a foreclosed mortgage on the
nomination from the start.
Instead of being a mere formality,
a registration of the will of the various
State machines, the convention would
be made a real convention, a delibera-
tive body, clothed with authority to
consider the condition of the country
and the party, to exercise judgment, to
employ discretion, and to decide, de-
liberatively and carefully, what ought
to be done.
This decision, instead of being made
up in advance, would be reached only
after informed men had canvassed
thoroughly the conditions all over the
nation.
Then, and not till then, the nomina-
tion would be made; made with view
to saving the party's utmost chance of
winning; not with the purpose of
blindly following one mans banner to
whatever fate might be in store for
him.
1t is the one plan that promises
largest hope for Republican success.
If the voice of the people, given in
such primaries, is for Mr. Taft, he will
be stronger for the proof of that fact.
If it is not for him, he ought not to
be nominated.
There is only one safe course. Let
the people, who must do the electing,
do also the nominating.
Several States have already adopted
the Presidential primary plan. All the
States ought to adopt it.
TRUE LOVE AND THE VELVET
HAT