The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-30

PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY |
Probably the best way to consider the pro-
posed presidential preference primary plan is TO
suppose ,that II had been In general operation
last year. Let assume that in each State
OF the Union the Democratic voters had ex
pressed primary elections its preference for one
ofAthe five declared candidates and several posi-
biihies whose names were before them. Each dele
CATION would have gone to Baltimore with pos
ttiva instructions and no freedom of change or
choice. whatever developments might have
come II the party rules, or the law. had
quredN majority two-thirds, of the conven-
ton toAnoninate the convention would have bal
loted hopelessy until election day There would
have been no fexbility, possibility of nom
inatiou. No delegate would have been allowed TO
transferThis vote from one candidate to another.
Mr.. Bryan could not have shifted from Clark
to Wilson. If plurality had been accepted as
conclusive Champ Clark would have been sue
ressfui the first ballot
On the sother hand, II It had been understood
that after certain number OF ballots delegates
could. change at will the plan would have
have been merely formal and perfunctory until
the time when changes permissible.
With<the~preferential, primary system adopted
by all fhe1States there would be no need for
a national convention. All~that would be neces-
sary would: be for the State delegations to meet
and send~to some central Office their ballots for
president .and vicepresident under instructions
oftthe voters.4 as the State electors do now, and
have them formally opened and declared. As
forvthe construction OF the platform, the average
delegateshas little to so with 1t in present con-
ditions. That work is done by committee and
theplatfarm must fit the candidate and be one
onswhch She stand consistently. The nomi-
mcknight sbesleft 10 prepare a platform TO suit
himself: or. IL are TO have the direct rule
of the people. of which We hear go much, several
alternative platforms might be prepared and
submitted to the voters. the sections voted for
by the majority to be accepted.
II I'VE are TO abolish representative govern
ment4to be logical, should go step further
The maxiunfs now Is '1et the majority Of the
peopleu'ule directly" At the last general election
the majority OF the people did not rule. The
president represents a minority of the popular
vote Letsus. therefore, abolish State lines and
nominate and elect presidents by direct
popular, vote. This. to be sure, would be abso-
iutely contrary TO the principles, foundations.
theory and constitution OF this republic: but
what, aresprinciples, foundations and constitution
10 the ardent reformer whose heart Is bursting
with enthusiasm for rule OF the people, against
boss rule and. with yearning for Job?
on these suggestions and schemes from the
North and Far West, forgetting the differences
in conditions. There States OF the Union
without traditions and habits of thought and CON
duct. lacking fixed standards Their popula,
tons consist Of heterogeneous elements thrown
hastily together. large part Of them foreigners.
fresh from generations OF subsection to mon
arches. arstocracies and landlords and with
but the vaguest motions OF orderly liberty and
self government. Naturally they have fallen
into mistakes. as we OF the older parts of the
country did wheu first organized; and they
lack the wise and powerful leaders with whom
hfrTsrd Hnt wt0- delivered and Ted our
ancestors from many folles and extravagancies
These new people fell under the rule of politi.
cal and money bosses Their legislatures were
bought, almost at public auction. Even their
courts were corrupted They were plundered,
more less oppressed, subjected TO the power
OF brutally sordid, shameless. disgraceful In.
fuenees. In time they rebelled and, following
the inevitable tendencies OF human nature az
they too submissive to the rule Of the few
they have gone too far In demanding the direct
rule OF the many. They have done all they could
% destroy the idea Of representative government.
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