Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-08


measures to fulfllment, and can
properly take a good part of the
credit for their success.
1t is fortunate, however, that in
this so-called progressive platform
the only measures distinctly and
definitely recommended are the
measures which are already, for
the most part, achieved.
The next plank IN the Demo-
cratic platform declares for presi-
dental primaries in the election of
delegates to the national conven-
ton.
This plank is inadequate and I'M
progressive. It is worse than worth
less, since it merely pretends to
offer a solution. Its suggestion is
not a solution.
1t proposes a remedy which will
not remedy the conditions that the
people object to; yet offers the
stone of pretense instead of the
bread of performance
primaries followed by a convention
in which the. delegates may defy
the expressed will of the people
has been shown by the convention
at Baltimore.
A vast majority Of delegates
elected by presidential primaries to
that convention were elected to
vote for Champ Clark and instruct
ed to vote for Champ Clark.
But Mr. Bryan, like many other
delegates in that convention, re-
pudiated his instructions, denied
the right of the people to express
their choice through presidential
primaries, assumed a superior right
for himself and not only refused to
vote for Champ Clark, but did his
worst to defeat Champ Clark, the
choice of the people of his state
and his district
There will be other delegates to
other conventions as disCreditable
as Mr.. Bryan, with as little moral
ity and as little sense of right and
decency as Mr. Bryan.
Other delegates elected by presi-
dental primaries, perhaps follow
ing Mr.. Bryan's leadership and cit
ing Mr.. Bryan's example. will re-
fuse to accept the instructions of
their constituents, will refuse to
vote according to the expressed will
of the people in presidential pri-
maries and will take 1t upon them
selves to defeat the will of the peo-
pie and to vote according to the
will Of the corporations expressed
in a more material form.
For a presidential primary to be
effective there must be no conven-
ton, no delegates with so much
power and so little character as to
fail to carry out the popular will.
The next president must be nom
mated by direct primaries without
any convention and without any
delegated power to INSCRIPTIONS
and unreliable representatives.
The next president must be nom
mated by direct primaries, and the
man who gets the greatest number
VI WIS az ,''i's ~ ''i0 N'e va o.
vote OF the state must be the noml-
nee of the party.
When the Democratic convention
failed to declare in favor of such a
just and genuine direct primary it
a,,.o -. a,..,, -, ~. r,,,,,,o,. 20
'''0 ~ Won ~ NC - e'''o'' LIZ
nh, ,,o,.+ e.,,,~I- - 49,. 49,
n0(' Pi''HN Vi '''e DeIilo-
crauc PLATFORM reIateS 10 campaign
contributions. The plank pledges
the Democratic party to the enact
mont Of q Law, ,,robibi+i,,cr o,,,, ,,,,.
,,o,.,4i,-,. ..,,,'.I9.-.'
P"i"''oH9 nun Coh'lIpuIllS 10
campaign fund. The only objec-
uoh TO Such laws Is their mad
equacy.
AS a matter of fact, neither this
proposition nor the following one,
where any individual is prohibited
from contributing an amount above
reasonable maximum, Is of any
particular value.
III an I4oIIluuaI aeslres TO con-
5'Iou'e I"lSe sum ne can Always
, 40 ~ s"IouSh various olner lhdl-
llu"''S. "IG l"e peHeiiClaIIeS Oh
spe't"I LeSisla Iloh can Always man.
o~S 10 Ie'ulI C c., oy lioerai
C"iupa!Eh VohlIioulonS IN spite OF
RESTRICTIONS OF TINS klha.
The only method of preventing
corruption in elections is not to try
to limit contributions, but actually
to limit expenditures.