The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-02-25
THE EVENING BANNER
Subscription Eatss
BENNINGTON, VT, FEB. 25. 1914.
A COMMON MISTAKE

A COMMON MISTAKE
The first objection to the direct pri
mary is a very serious one indeed,
and one that is dependent on the pc
culiar social conditions of the state
we live in. The hill towns of YER
mont have furnished the best blood
of the state in times past, and they
are still doing their share; but they
ire tremendously handicapped by
changed economic conditions. We
have all heard of the problem of the
Vermont Hill town. That problem
will never be solved by stamping out
every spark of individuality and in
auence they still possess. The direct
primary, If it eliminates the convent
ion, will do this. In the party con-
ventions these hill town men stand
along with their fellows from the
prosperous cities Of the valley, assert
their personality, and cast their vote.
they become known and recognized.
A man OF real ability may be plug
ring away on a back farm high UP on
he mountain side for 364 days in the
year. but on the 365th day he finds
his opportunity in the party convca-
ton. Here is his chance for reccg-
milton, his road to usefulness in the
service of his town. his county or his
state. The direct primary spells the
81 - IL "a
back farmer drives to the town hall
casts his ballot, and drives back
more obscure and forgotten than
ever. Never mind if the small town
does WELD an influence in the con
vention out of proportion to its
sparse population. The Importance
Of the problem demands that we pre-
servo this influence. Don't dry up
the life blood of these communities
Vermont will not be Vermont with
out them.-From Letter by Ralph E.
Flanders in Springfield Reporter.
The foregoing statement by Mr.
Flanders reads exactly like the ar.
guments put up by a bunch Of able
and distinguished corporation law
yers at Montpelier when the leglsla-
ture at Montpelier is discussing 4 di
rect primary bill. We do not ques-
ton Mr. Flanders honesty and sin
certify but he is seriously mistaken
Let us sec what the facts show.
The stronghold of the direct pr.
mary laws is in the dstlnctvely
rural states of the union and where
the rural voters have been in the
large majority. The best primary
laws are in Oregon. Washington,
Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota.
Minnesota. Wisconsin and some OF
the southern states. The sta .es,
where it has proved hardest TO get
direct primary system are New York
Ohio, Illinois, Rhode Island, Connect
cut and similar states where the
cities have controlled the leglsla-
lures. Wherever the big corporations
and the mercenary politicians control
it has proved q tremendous task to Sc
cure the enactment OF good disec-
primary law which is always in favor
of the honest, public spirited. indi-
vidual voter
Under the convention system the
voters of the rural town send oae
two or three delegates 10 conven-
tion to represent them In the making
OF nominations, The conventions
are always held In the larger towns
where all the pressure Of organiza-
ton, all the schemes OF selfish schem-
ers and all the clever Establishments
OF as.ute politicians can be brought
to bear on the delegates. In some
cases to these is added the use of
money and liquor to secure votes.
Even If tho delegates from the
small towns are instructed as to the
head of the ticket they are opon 10
trades and scheming relative to the
other places to be filled. Then, too.
Il often happens that the oaucuses
are held before any particular in,er-
est develops and before the issues OF
The campaign are fully drawn. The
result is that a few interested per-
sons attend the caucus and choose
delegates whom the rank and file OF
tho voters would never Eelect 30 rep
resent them in q time OF crisis
Only the delegates and paid work
ers attend the conventions. The
great body Of voters is left at home
and have no say in the naming OF the
candidates Of their party.
Isn't IL clear that the rank and file
CT the voters regardless Of where
they live would have more influence
IL they could all 80 to the polls in
their home town and vote directly on
every nomination TO be made? This
is what they do under 4 direct pri-
mary.
Under the convention system Il is
often easy for a combination OF poliii.
clans and political workers IN the
larger towns to control the nomina-
tons. They can never do Il under a
direct primary. Under the direct
primary system the individual vot-
honest. fearless men IN the
larger towns and the rural voters Of