The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-12-03
URGES THE ADOPTION
OF DIRECT PRIMARY
Major Childs Sees Demand in Vermont
for New and Better Plan of Oper-
ating State Government.

Editor Of The Reformer:-
ne electorate OF crmont Will. by
their ballots, ut the next March meeting,
express Their preference FOR primary
system OF some form OF other Three
nominating systems are presented. any
one Of which may be chosen by the vot
ers and majority expression probably
will be accepted by the proposed special
legislative session called Tor the purpose
Of cnacting INTO law the wishes 81 the
voters. There j. but very little time,
therefore, 10 acquailt the People with the
several proposed systems. though Ii"
question IS one OF much Importance. in
asmuch a. there appears to be deep
seated desire for a change OF tho present
system. 1t is charged. and quite generally
believed. that the professionals Of all pan
ties hold a monopoly OF politics and gen
orally dominate political affairs. under
on: present form OF choosing our sta,e
and county officers
/ In nearly every state OF the union
4 there has been or i to he a reoreanlza-
ton OF the machinery OF state govern.
mont Here in Vermont there seem u
/ be a pressing demand for some new anj
I better plan than wc now have, else the
+ question would not have been presented
at this time Massachusetts has adopted
Il Iit tIttl JlIildlN 4GA y illtit r'fii- -
have given pretty general satisfaction
and now the great state oil New York Is
planning for it, together with nun:bcr
/ Of othcl states Vermont might, witt
much economy. make the management o.
state affairs simpler. easier aud more til
Gent DO not presume to say with tn
mere adoption Of a direct primary law
our politics would be absolutely safe-
guarded against control by designing poli-
ticians hut such a law. coupled with
something like the Massachusetts farm.
namely a short ballot whereon appsa.
the names ol not more than three state
oihccrs-tha governor, lieutenant govern
81 and secretary Of state would. hy IT.
simplicity. greatly assist the voter L al.
intelligent understanding of In rights
and duties besides do away IN great
measure. with the secret political machine
which often invites distrust and party
disaster Then, too. the voters viii ~
more likely to exercise greater care III the
: selection OF their governor and lieutenant
governor ii they were not confused by an
elaborate and lengthy ballot which ON
present methods provide.
New oyl l. now seriously eontem
plating reducing the number nj elected
state officers 10 three OF even 20 two hi
order t. concentrate judgment and care
r of selection on the office OF governor ar,
2 lieutenant governor.
e It j. also proposed to give to the 4ov
E cruor tie power 10 appoint other head,
= OF departments IN order that he ttlc go
clnorl may bc held to closer Icspon-.
4 bjiity 10 the electorate WHY not con
q ccntration Of power and responsibility 3,
e cur chief executive a. we'll a. IN tn
Il hands of the voters choosing them:
.I..
:, en- watch of the heads Of government wh
: have been more ntclIgcutly cho-e1
: thar j. possible under oar present con
l. fused system With a direct primary j.
which the people exercise Independent
thought and action. Unt1ammclcd by part
caucuS or intrigue. simply expressing y
thelr ballots their choice nt men Who hay
been openly nominated 10y petition .
otherwise. and whose names are hctor
> uS for a sufficient period for our dclihel
ate. honest and efficient decision "
'e ought to. and in my humble opinio
'e would, secure men Of ability and wort
sometimes overlooked under our prpSen
IT fornr
T. The frame work for such system
Of not difficult to construct and il woul
seem that the results would he we'll wort
the effort The voters Will be given 4
- opportunity OF expressing then views II
~pectlng the different systems at an carl
& date and the direct primary law whereof
he voters are to vote directly toI til
or anddates rather than the present 81
as tem of nominating candidates for stat
in congressional and county offices, SAT
y be adopted, iudging from the fayo
- able experience Of sister states
~ ~ +. W. CHILDS.
- Brattlcholo, VT Dee. l. 1918