The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-27

the purity Of election or nominating
methods. They hlvs become familiar
/ with the manipulation OF the existing
machinery and are against any system
which does not promise Held Tor tho
| exercise Of thor peculiar talents. Tho
old ward politician and precinct work.
or. who was accustomed to handle tho
/ sinews of war under the Sood OLD
| system, when voters were bought and
| eold like cattle ut the polls, 1ouho
his profitable and honor pie occupa-
tion gone under our pure elections
laws. OF course, bis indignation was
both deep and riSht' 'u0.
The parties who thought they know
all about packing ward meetings. put
, ting out the lights and stunin8 or
stealing the ballot boxes found that
the primary systems long ago adopt
ed by mos. OF the cities In the State
greatly circumscribad their patriotic
activities The fellows wno could
dominate the old county mass meet
ings and later the district meetings
and county conventions have never
looked with much favor upon the
party primary plan which has reduced
conventions to q minimum. The now
went up from these gentlemen III 1901
thar the State wide primary plan
would destroy tho Democratic party
In Virginia; and yet tho party was
never so cohesive nor so absolutely in
control of all departments OF tho
State government as II ID to-day.
The history OF the primary In erory
State has been that, whom one party
uses it and tho other aoeS not, the
former grows in strength and the lat
ter weakens. The reason Is that the
party which Is tho more democratic in
Its management treats its members
most fairly and admits the greater
number OF the INTO its counsels must
necessarily grow more rapidly In
public confidence and approval.
Those persona who think they have
found cracks and loop holes in the
present loose an dextra legal party
primary plan. into whic.. can be In
jected some OF the old limo political
methods, are naturally and enphatical-
~ avcrse to seeing any of these ere
vices closed.
1t Is no reflection upon those who
have constructed this party plan to
say that 1t cannot possibly have the
solemnity and efficiency OF statute
The simple truth is int there are In
herent weaknesses in any such plan
which have been heretofore indicated.
1t would not do 10 thai all who
oppose a legalizcd nrin..ry ara crooks
or are in favor of crooked politics.
It has been generally true. however.
in all Of the states, that most OF the
political crooks have opposed the
primary. Yet there are many per-
fectly honest men. who sincerely be-
love the convention system is the
better Others believe in the primary
but think II should be n strictly party
affair. They arc by nature reaction
aries and are behind the times. The
evolution which is taking place In the
popular control OF nominating and
election machinery Is beyond their
ken. The world Is movins. and they
shut their eyes and fancy 1t is station
airy They are clogging the wheels OF
progress and they must crop off and
be left in the rear OF they VIII be
crushed by its onward movement,
Those who imagine they can stem
the sentiment in this State for legal :
ICED primary reckon without their
host. II this bill is defeated another
VIII be presented at ths next ssssion.
more drastic in form and backed BY
an even stIengcr public sentiment.
Revolutions do not so backward.
The Byrd primary bill Is more pro-
gressivo and effective and in every
way q stronger measure, than the bill
Of 1901. Those who Will not accept
thls optional plan, vita Its wholly
adaptable provisions. may have forced
upon them. at no distant day, man
datory and compulsory measure. which
Will contain the moot drastic features
to be found IN tho laws OF any OF
the States. Tnc people intend 10 make
their own uominat!one. even though
they may be Obliged TO sacrifice some
valuable statesmen 10 accomplish that
purpose.