New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-06
Presidential Primaries.

Inc enemies OF the primary system OF
nominations are now having their little
hour of exultation. They are making the
most of the startling contrast between
the sensational primary contests which
preceded the national conventions of 1912
and the general avoidance this year Of
instructions, expressions Of preference or
other commitments by the voters which
would prevent the national delegates from
acting on their own best judgment.
Because the voters have chosen this
year to forego the full use Of their power
under the primary system critics Of the
system are boasting that the country is
tired Of It and is ready TO return repent
antly to the old order Of party govern
ment from the top We do not believe
that such boasting is justified. The vot-
ers demanded and secured control Of party
nominations chiefly as a measure Of
sef-defence. They wanted TO be in a po-
sition to decide between candidates and
policies whenever a clear cut issue of
any sort arose. They wanted to be able
to hold in check self-seeking bosses and
professional politicians eager to substi-
tute their own will for the will OF the
party.
This is an exceptional Presidential
year. On the Democratic side there is no
open opposition to President Wilson's re-
nomination. On the Republican side the
chief problem is to reunite the two exc
ments Of the party which separated in
1912. That reunion, still unaccomplished,
cannot be helped along by primary con-
tests-inside what is now the majority
faction, but which was the minority fac
ton at the polls four years ago.
Most Republicans now feel that the
choice Of the party for President has
narrowed down TO two men. The national
convention will fulfil general expectations
if it dominates either Colonel Roosevelt
or Justice Hughes. But neither of these
favorites for the nomination is an avowed
candidate Neither is in position 10 be
an avowed candidate The party must
eventually draft the one who seems to
have the greater strength. The nomina-
nlete the desired union of factions and to
give emphasis to that broad appeal TO
patriotic sentiment which the present
crisis in national politics demands.
The Republican rank and file are pretty
generally convinced that the delegates
whom they are permitting to 90 TO the
national convention uninstructed will act
in the partys true interest. We are at a
turning point in the nations history. The
people must say next fall whether or not
they mean TO face inteligently the prob
lens Of the future or are willing to con-
tent themselves with lodging those prob
lens and muddling along in the old happy
go-lucky fashion. The vital issue of the
campaign is going to be whether the
United States prefers real preparedness
TO sham preparedness. truth TO make-be-
licve, conscientious effort TO regain and
uphold our national prestige TO superficial
optimism, long suffering in the face Of
outrage, vapid phrase-making and ostrich
like drift.
The Republican delegates who are going
10 Chicago uninstructed have, neverthe-
less, definite mission. They are not go
ing there TO repeat the folly Of nominating
a candidate who can carry only two states
with four electoral votes apiece. Some of
them sat in the Chicago convention four
years ago, and it is to be presumed that
they have profted by the lessons Of 1912.
They have been commissioned as delegates
again because the voters whom they repre-
sent believe that they viii vote this year
with a single view TO unifying the party
and TO nominating the candidate who, as
things stand next June, promises TO make
the strongest appeal TO the sentiment Of
the country.
The primary system is not dead, or even
dccadent, simply because the voters have
not employed it this year on a large scale
in expressing preferences for Presidential
candidates. It Is an advantage that the
use Of the system is % great extent
optional. It is weapon Of defence. not
offence. Let bosses try 10 rule the rank
and file against their will, and It will be
called quickly into service.
Experience with the Presidential pri-
mary in 1912 disclosed many local defects.
IL It is 10 do it's work 70 the best advan-
tage II ought 20 be standardized. In q
recent address before subcommittee OF
the Republican National Committee Mr.
Charles ID. Hilles summed up the MANY
shortcomings Of the various state primary
laws governing the expression Of Presi.
dental preferences and the election ot
national delegates. These irrcgularitie,
ought 70 be cured, and they can easily be
cured By state action.
But 70 say that because Of them, or be-
cause the Presidential primary is not now
beng freely used, the old order Of mis-.
representative convention rule is 10 re.