The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-07-17
Direct Primary And Special sessIon

Direct Primary And Special Session
The esteemed Bennington Banner
says The Free Press, did not always
advocate direct primary. No, dear
contemporary, there was a time when
no one dreamed of such a method
not even the contemporary itself, but
this is an age of progress, and when
we in common with others accepted
the State Republican platform in 1912
we did so sincerely and with the idea
that campaign pledge to the people
is to be sacredly fulfilled. When we
speak of present recreant republican
opponents OF direct nominations, we
a e condemning those who as party
men nominated on the party platform
were bound by that platform as rep
resentasives of the republican organ
ization to help formulate a measure
that would embody the principle of
direct nominations. and we take little
stock in thei. sudden call for spec
ial session to do the work they will
fully left undone.
The representatives of the repub-
lican organization, who refused to be
bound by the republican direct prim-
airy plank, thereby aimed deadly
blow at party government, and they
cannot reasonably complain If the vot
crs in turn now refuse to submit to
the snap of the party whip and sho.
marked degree OF independence on
their own part.
They cannot complain, moreover if
the taxpayers decline to foot the ex-
pense necessary to enable members
of the Legislature to put themselves
right at this late day, when the con
troll Of the Legislature is in the hands
of those who plotted against genuine
direct nominations and who in priv
ate conservation do not hesitate still
to express their opposition to the prin
cipic.
Patty demand for direct nomina-
tons now through committeeman
is not so strong morally as when it
was backed by the State conventions
of three political parties at least, and
If we are to have a direct primary
we would much prefer one acted IL
1915 by Legislature elected in res
ponse to the demand which is now
said to exist than to have the prin-
ciple deprived of fair trial through
ndirection or slight of hand in 1914
by Legislature which refused to be
bound by triple party pledge in 1912
Is. Beware of the Greeks bearing
gifts of alleged direct nominations
So far as any binding assurance
has been forthcoming absolutely moth
Ing has thus far occurred that would
warran. GoveTno. Fletcher In calling
an extra session Of the Legislature
On the contrary the taxpayers would
have n right to severely condemn
such a step without some assurance
as TO the kind OF a direct primary to
be passed and the expense involved.
II the Legislators do not care to fur
nish such assurance on real direct
primary moarure formulated and sub
mitted to them and TO the people, SO
we can all see what is to be done. let
them stay at home and give their sue
cessors regardless of party a chance
to fulfill the pledges they are morally
and politically bound to redeem
II. as the esteemed Banner serious.
~ argues. however. the proposed in
formal prima y plan submitted by the
State committee is a direct primary
and not a preferential primary de-
pending upon State convention to
complete its work. as do all State
preferential primaries. then assure.
ly there is no need of going to the ex
ponsc OF enacting direct primary
law. for all parties would agree to be
bound by the popular vote. and in the
ligh: of the way the direct primary
pledges of 1912 were redeemed, the
party leaders could surely trust each
other, without the necessity OF law
to force them to keep faith with each
other and with the pcoplo.-Burlins-