The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-07-06
SEES PERIL IN PRIMARY


Attorney General William Shepherd Bry
an, Jr., yesterday.
This sight would not be possible II
the self-styled progressive element OF
the community, aided and abetted by
great majority of the influential news
papers of the country, had not caused
the intimidated legislatures of great
number OF the States to enact laws pro-
viding for the legal7ed direct primaries.
| have always been opposed to these di-
rect primary laws, and ! believe this Is
an opportune time to point out again
the objections to them.
THE main argument In favor of these
laws Is that they enable the viii or the
people to prevail in the selection OF
candidates for important Offices by both
of the leading parties. The fact that, in
these recent important and holly con-
tested primaries, the vote in both parties
was so very much smaller than the vote
at the last general election shows. !
think, that it is a practical impossibility
to get an appreciate number of persons
not actively engaged in politics to take
part in a primary contest.
PRACTICAL MEN WIN PRIMARIES.
primaries will be always carried by
what is sometimes called the breadand
butter brigade and sometimes the house
hold troops Except under very extra
ordinary circumstances the practical
politicians who make a business of poll
tics can always carry the primary cleo
ton. The average American citi en- will
snatch few minutes from making liv-
ing in his business to vote at the gem
eral election, but this is all the time he
can be persuaded to give to public al
fairs.
consequently, the political organiza-
ton and the party leaders can generally
carry the primaries whether We have the
old convention system or t:iis new direct
primary system.
THE capital difference between the
two systems is, however, that under the
convention system the responsibility for
the nominations is known to be upon the
party leaders before the nominations are
made. and If improper nominations are
made it is known upon whom rue blame
rests
SOME ILLUSTRATIONS CITED.
If, under the old convention system,
the nomination of Mr.. Mud or Mr. Scum
or the Honorable Empty Stomach is be-
ing contemplated for the office of judge
or governor, the important and intelligent
members of the party have an opportun
ity to protest against it.
Men like Mr. Frank A. Furst or Mr..
Douglas II. Thomas, or Mr.. John B
Ramsay or Mr.. William A. Marbury
whose support and countenance is use.
full to the party managers. can go TO
these party managers and say Harry or
John or Free or Bill, or Uncle Bill,
or Phil. or by whatever name the lead
err is Familiarity known, This man is not
fit person to nominate and | won't
stand for it
las the party leader is necessarily-or
he could not hold his place as party lea
der-a man of sagacity and common
sense, who desires the support of the
important members of his party, these
protests. If sufficiently strong and ear
nest, are needed and the improper nomi-
nation which is being contemplated is
abandoned.
IF, however, the direct primary sys-
TEN is used, the leaders say that matter
is up to the people, that they are TAX
ing no part in it, anu the mischief Is
done before and without their being any
real opportunity for protes. by the better
element of the party. 1t is done by the
party leaders quietly directing the rrgu-
In nj ut
can control how to vote in these direct
primaries.
1T sometimse happens, as in this last
Democratic primary, that all of the can
didates as in this instance Mr. Clark
Governor Wilson and Governor Harmon,
are men OF high character, bat that one
of the candidates. as think was the
case in, these last primaries with Cover
nor Harmon, was the persOA wIsest to
nominate because of his greater avail
ability at the general election.
NO well informed and thoughtful per
son, who will look over the list OF those
who supported Governor Harmon, can
l think doubt that their weight and in
tluence is such in this community that II
there had been convention and an OPP
POI 'uiiIlg lpl conference, lnEy tDnlu nave
convinced the gentlemen supporting
Speaker Clark that it was wiser to sup
port Governor Harmon. because while
both Speaker Clark and Governor Wilson
has the best chance of carrying the
pivotal states OF New York. Connecticut
and Chic at the general election
THINKS CONVENT ION SYSTEM WISE
The convention system no; onry makes
for good party government, Du, aiso for
wise and efficient parry management.
There is another advantage of the con-
vention System.
Sometimes the party leaders believe
that the result of the general election is
doubtful and that it behooves them to put
forward the best and strongest candi-
date that they can fId. Under the con-
vention system they have the whole
membership of the party from which 10
choose. Under the direct primary they
arc restricted to those who have filed
papers with the Election Supervisors as
candidates in the primary