The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-08
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY s. 1912,
DON'T h.tI.L THE PRIMARY BILL.


Rumor is persistent that the Senate Wal so
emasculate the Byrd legaiized primary bill that
Its patron win hardly be able 10 recognize the
child of his brain. The Ffrginidn has more
than passing interest In the measure II was
the first newspaper In Virginia To advocate
the optional primary system so well expressed
In the Byrd bill. We have advocated the mea-
sure because believe the best public senti-
ment of the State demands such a law. The
old objection that we are forcing the Republi-
cans to adopt a system that they do not want
has been exploded by the optional feature of
the bill No party is bound to adopt the PHI
mary system. but. when 1t does. 1t binds 1T
self 10 conduct such primary through the
chinery provided by the State.
Great objection is raised In some quarters
10 the fact that the regular election machin-
cry OF the State is used for prmai les under
the hill We know OF better system. We
believe that years trial will demonstrate the
working qualities OF the law and will fully
show the wisdom OF the measure There Is
OF course sentimental objection to a Republl-
Democrats. But who in Virginia appoints the
Republican judge OF election? Section 81 Of
the Constitution says: There shall be in each
county and city an electoral board composed
OF three members. appointed by the Circuit
Court OF the county the Corporation Court
OF the city. or the Judge OF the court in
ton
hat at.c
board shall appoint jadges. clerks, and
gistrars of election for It's county or city; and.
In appointing Judges of election representation
rs far possible shall be given to each OF the
two political parties which. at the general
election next preceding their appointment. cast
the highest and next highest number Of votes"
Every Circuit and Corporation Court judge
In Virginia is a Democrat. IL he is such
Democrat as will lend credit to his party and
State he will and does name only men Of tho
highest character as members of the electoral
board OF his county or city.
board so constituted made up in every
case of Democrats, will, II it In Its turn would
reflect credit upon Democracy and Virginia.
name only honest up light men cleo
lion offlceIs. ana we can see no haFih 10 come
from having one Of the three judges at eacn
precinct an honest member of the minority
party. man who. from the nature of the case,
would have less OF personal interest in the
result Of the primary than his Democratic coll
leagues we take II that any man who can
And no better ground for opposing the primary
bill than the Republican Judge reason viii com.
mand little support in the Senate. Let our
lawmakers not be swerved from doing a plain
is drastic in many ways-and properly so.
II limits campaign expenses to reasonable
sam 1t enables the men OF small means to
enter a contest for State Office, and is In
line with the popular demand for cleaner poll
tics The people of Virginia are entitled tot
ssts ssasssys .@ saa primary In the place af
the real contests In the larger part OF the
State and IN all offices of State Importance.
This Legislature has a duty 10 perform In this
connection and we trust that II will send up
to The Governor the Byrd bill in its original
form The Democracy OF Virginia Is commit
ted TO the primary systeln--let a Democratic
Legislature perfect such system and make I
unnecessary in years to come tn levy tax OF
three thousand dollars upon any man for the
bare privilege Of having his name placed upon
the party primary ticket.