The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-03

clear conviction and a determined poll
Icy The primary comes before this
important result is reached. before the
countryside has made up it's mind Of
ten before II knows who the candidates
are. much less what they are supposed
10 stand for, and TIA" consequence is n
Widespread indifference concerning thu
whole business.
Again, ii Is "a Journey to the polliu-.
place, and day is lost, especially by
many voters who cannot AFFORD to lose
q day But this would not be SO Sc
iious matter II IL were not generally
understood that while the primary was
rot the election, it practically settled
thc election in this State. They are
asked TO make what is 10 them Il hur-
RED and badly informed choice between
Candidates. They are. therefore, indif-
l~rcnt, unless indeed their Indifference
las been overcome by Interested So
hoitation OF one kind or another, which,
10 say the least is very poor prcpa-
ration for an Intelligent ballot Voters
WHO do not perhaps resent this special
effort upon the part OF candidates to
overcome their inertia. or To enlighten
their ignorance, do, nevertheless, re-
sent the scheme OF the primary Itself
which gives them double trouble in ac-
compiishing an election and at the
SfInc time leaves the result in the hands
81 the politician az much as IL was be-
fore. On this latter proposition we Will
not waste any discussion at all, for IL
Is obvious that a shrcwd candidate
knowing the personality aud pred!lec-
tons Of the few voters commonly seen
II any rural primary, may easily ap-
ply his methods and advance his in
tcrests. And this without any hint at
eruption. which is not at all neces-
gary, his opportunity resting for tile
r,ost part upon an Indifferent or an
n n
electorate, the three representing a
large element in pretty mnch every
rural community.
But YOU viii say that healthful and
rervasivc interest Will arise when the
day OF election approaches. There you
are very much mistaken. Discussion OF
candidates and principles absolutely
stops in the country after the primary
las settled all things. Everything and
eVeryhody pertaining to the election
seem to he forgotten. Even the small
amount of interest visible here and
there at the primary seems to disap-
rear The voter Will tell you on the
day OF election. why should ride five
miles to settle a thing which has al
ready been settlcd% He stays at home.
TO sum up the situation: at the pri-
mary he isn't ready TO act intelligcntly,
or perhaps not willing to act al all. He
wil wait and make one trip to the
polls answer the claims OF this duty.
ON election day he finds that the
whole matter was settled by the pri-
mary, so that there is no reason what
ever, that he can see. why he should 20
at all. or vote at AL.
The result is that the rural vote is
meSlig iblc, or rapidly becoming So and
that the city vote is ruling the State
Having practically eliminated the rural
vote. the political organizations. known
as the machine" find ii compare lively
easy to control city elections and civil
appointments.
The primary Is fraud. Abolish it
and let there be an open field and n
free fight for everybody. with wise
limitations upon election expenses The
II tcrest in elections will then Increase
Until the last day, and pervade the
whole community. The informed and
patriotic element found to some degree
in every country community, will feel
The stress Of necessity to stir up those
who read little and care less about
elections, and record not only n full
vote. but an intelligent vote. In this
way the countryside would recover its
interest in elections. it's influence I'm
.he state and furnish both brains and
IL spratipn for sensible legislation for
the welfare of our most important in
Gustries and our most virilc population.
BENZ. C. MOOMAW
Savannah, Va.