Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-07
GEORGLA'S MODEL, RULES FOR
4 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

out the Union. 1t enables the individual cltl-
zen to choose directly among the candidates for the
nomination in his party; and that is matter
of vital mportanc For. what does it profit the peo-
pie to vote on the presidency if both nominees for
that Office have been selected by political bosses at
the behest of the interests? Under system of par
ty government such as ours is, the rank and file
of both the Democrats and the Republicans must
be given voice in naming their national leader be-
fore they will have anything more than shadowy
and fictitious right in electing tho president 1t is
evidence that the people insisting this prvi
lege of the first steps toward regaining con-
troll of their government. Presidential primaries
being held this year in part of the country
and it is only question Of time when they will be-
come nationwide.
OF all the plans yet designed for carrying out the
principle and the purpose of the presidential primary
that adopted in Georgia is the simplest the farest
and, in every sense the most effective. The candi-
dates for the nomination voted upon directly.
There was no bewildering array of delegates among
whom the voter had, as it were, to pick his wayNto
reach the main issue. The real candidates were
placed squarely before the electorate, the one who
received the greatest number of votes became the
winner and in accordance with tNat result dele
cation to the Baltimore convention will be named
by the friends of the successful candidate.
In Massachusetts,, where a system of voting for
delegates well for the nominee was employed
confusing situation has arisen President Taft re-
ceived plurality of the popular vote, yet Mr. Roose
welt won greater number of the delegates Under
the Georgia plan as we have shown, no such COM
plcations are possible .I,..
In Florida, the people voted for Wilson delegates
or Underwood delegates instead of casting tneir bal
lots directly for one the other Of the two candi
dates. AS consequence, there followed a prolonged
and tedious count that lasted to the end of the week.
while in Georgia, though the primary here held
day later than in Florida, tho result was known
few hours after the polls had closed.
Evidently, therefore, the rules prescribed by the
Democratic executive committee of this state are
the simplest the most expeditions that have been
tried And it is of their chief virtues that they
do not cucumber and becloud the primary with a
great mass of delegates to be voted on each of whom
would be making a more less personal race and
who would thereby confuse the main issue with
purely local and often petty politics.
The committee has been criticized, however, for
that particular section of its rules that awards the
entire state delegation to the candidate who receives
the largest number of votes. To be sure, we have
heard no of this plan since the primary end
ed and Mr.. Underwood became the successful candi-
date 1t was as fair when it was enacted as it has
proved to be by actual test.
The truth is this is the only just or logical rule
that can be applied. 1t gives untrammeled sway
to the vote of every citizen who goes to the polls.
1t centers directly in the hands of the people the
power to choose the nominee, instead of dverting
,.at power convention, where political bartering
often nullifies the popular will 1t provide that the
man whom the people choose becomes leader in effect
as well as in name it that since he is given
certain responsibilities, he should also be given
D. 49, A..
vention is simply ministerial body to attest and
formulate policy already declared the polls This
being true the winner in the primary is entitled to
complete control of the convention; and in the case
Of 4 presidential primary. he IS entitled to the states
entire delegated vote. -.@
1t is only thus, we repeat, that the popular will
can be faithfully executed Otherwise the very is
sues which the primary held to settle revived
in convention from which the people themselves
are excluded In the recent contest, for instance,
Governor Wilson carried Fulton county by ire
mendous majority. But the vote of the state
whole was in Congressman Underwoods favor Clear
w. then it is the sentiment of the state and not
that Of Fulton county, which the convention should
express.
Furthermore Congressman Underwood is entitled
to Georga's unit vote in the national convention to
be held at Baltimore. The one purpose of the pri-
mary was to determine for whom Georgias vote in
that convention should be cast every citizen quail
fed for suffrage given full and free right of
expression of his individual choice Tic Mr.. Under
wood went the greatest number Of votes. Cnques-
tionably therefore he is due the undivided support
of the delegation.
There would be neither reason fairness in
Ally cth.r procedure In national issues. at least,
the state acts not separate counties but unit
and so the delegation sent to Baltimore will be
GEORGIA delegation, not crazy-qu't affair, COM
posed of patches from divers counties
The Journal was zealously for Governor Wilson in
the recent primary. But the fact that he lost the
state in no wise obscures our recognition of the
plain fact that the rules under which the primary
was conducted and which will control the delegation
to Baltimore are emnently sound and just The state
committee stands indicated of all the charges Of
partizanship that we're unreasonaby and so vicod
" brought against it, Indeed, the committees rules
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