Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-12-23
M. Wilson and Presidential Primaries

Although we must regard the question Of %presiden.
tal primaries raised in the recent message as AGA
demic at this time, the contention Of Congressman
Volstead Of Minnesota that the plan proposed is un-
constitutional is WORT. considering. The Minnesota
congressman makes out a strong case in quoting the
mandatory words of the federal constitution in the
creation of the electoral college. The language Of
the instrument is not merely directory, nor does 1t
imply any degree of discretion in Congress to under
take changing the plan in any other way than through
submission Of a constitutional amendment. The Min
nesota member is probably correct in his opinion that
the supreme court would declare unconstitutional any
federal law making the changes proposed by Mr.. Will
son, without u previous amendment of the constitu-
ton by the states striking out the mandatory words
now there in the ordination of the electoral college,
q majority Of the votes IN which are necessary for
legal qualification of a President or Vice President.
A more interesting question is one Of what was
actually in the Presidents mind when he sent Con-
gress this proposal. During the Mexican diplomatic
negotiations. of a few months ago, after Mr.. Lind had
delivered to Gamboa, minister of foreign affairs, a
demand that Huerta should not be a candidate for
President at the October election, the Mexican min
lister expressed in writing his surprise at the want Of
familiarity with the Mexican constitution by the Pres
ident of the United States. But Mr.. Wilson's famil-
iarity with our own constitution can neither be doubt
Gu uOT CudlleuSeu. lie IS aware OF the ORDINATION Oh
the electoral college in our system of government
and close reading Of his Elliott and his Federalist
must have shown him why that body was ordained
for preserving proportion, and maintaining balance,
in an elective federal system. This he has learned
as a student. AS a reflective student he must also
haveNthought often; on what could easily have hap.
pened in 1876 but for the existence OF the electoral
college, which, with its waiting, constitutional forms
and processes, and the opportunities it afforded for
the cooling OF partisan and sectional passion, saved
us from that instant clash which would. undoubtedly
have risen out of the claim Of election by a popular
majority. Much more certainly would it have come
from any claim of election by a mere plurality.
We may not presume ignorance, but we may pre-
sumo forgetfulness. As a student, the president has
well learned our history as a people, and the origins
and meanings of our organic laws. But, fortunately
or unfortunately, as the case may be, his sheltered
life has not thrown him into such frequent and fore
ible contact with men and affairs, in the world of
politics and aggressive action, that, in his thinking,
all of the elements in a situation can present them
selves quickly and clearly to his mind. His visions
go beyond, without seeing lines for cutting roads to
the points in view. Historical disasters have grown
out Of such failures to grasp all there is in human
problems. It is possible that what the message in.
tends IS q recommendation to Congress to take the
action necessary to submission of a constitutional
amendment. 1t is Just as possible that what he
means is that tile states. shall continue nominating
their own presidential electors, and that the law he
is asking Congress to make shall be one applying only
to nomination of party candidates. His mental reser-
vations as to this, like those in other cases, find no
other expression than in the vague, glittering gener-
alities. which, when considered in connection with the
high character of the man, assure us only that his
purposes are good.