Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-07-14
Direct Primary Calls for the Short
Ballot.

The direct primary has come 10
stay, but it intensifes the need of
short ballot reform in state and coun-
ty Under the representative conven-
ton system of nominating candidates
party tickets were made up by large
bodies of delegates who were usually
chosen for their keen and active in
terest in politics and government.
Mrs. A. H Schwartz and son.
George. have returned from visit
with friends In Oregon.
On the whole q convention had
fuller knowledge of the record and
character of candidates coming be-
fore it than was possessed by the
rank and file of the party member
ship. State conventions, when not
dominated by political bosses or spe-
cial interests. were clearing houses
of helpful political information. Coun-
ty delegations with candidates to pre-
sent vouched for their men, and
when the ticket was made up sever
al hundred delegates returned to their
homes to talk over the nominees with
their neighbors.
In theory this was an excellent sys-
TEN. and if not for the development
of corrupt political bosses and the
interference of special interests it
would have continued satisfactory to
the people Even with the growth
of vicious influences the convention
system had its good points, and the
voters feel the loss of these when
they take up the difficult duty Of try
ing to make intelligent and conscien-
tious selections under the new sys-
tenn
Unless the present long blanket
ballot can be shortened there is very
real danger that the direct primary
will break down. But, as pointed out
by President Jacob Gould Schurmar
Of Cornell university. If there is any
thing wrong with the American sys-
tenn of government, what is needed
is not radical change and destruc-
ton, but only better adjustment Of
unchanging principles to changing So
cial, economic and political condi-
tons"
President Schurman believes, with
President Butler OF Columbia univer-
sity. that the people must adopt a
shorter ballot.
In this state Of New York"
he said the other day before the
state press association, we
should have no state officials
elected by the people except the
governor and the lieutenant gov
ernor All the rest should be ap-
pointed By the governor The
short ballot makes government
more democratic: for when the
people elect the governor and
give him power TO appoint all
the subordinates. they can hold
him responsible for the entire ad.
ministration of the affairs OF the
state"
The idea is not new one. Il al
ready prevails in the federal govern
nent A President. is elected and he
appoints cabinet officials, district at
torneys. United States marshals, Gus
toms collectors. collectors Of inter.
nal revenue, post masters, and so
On. Responsibility for the work of
these appointees centers in the Pres
ident What is proposed in New York
and Minnesota, then. is little else
than the application Of the system
Of the federal government to the
states.
Under the old convention system
the people had to do considerable
blind voting. Under the direct pri-
mary they are made to vote still more
tlindly and without intelligent know.
ledge OF the record and character Of
many Of the candidates. It is an evil
inseparable from the long ballot.