The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-02-24

Ii is we'll known that under the
caucus and convention system the del
egates sent to the state, district and
county convention, are about the same
men year after year and some of
them get expert in slate making and
wire pulling to secure the nominee
they want rather than the one whom
voters would prefer. Wouldn't it be
far better and more satisfactory to al
low all voters to go to their regular
polling place and register choice of
candidates as they now go there for
the regular election? Those who be-
lieve this direct vote is best should
vote for the Primary law now pro
posed.
The opponents of the direct Pri-
mary have made the statement that
the Primary is more expensive than
the caucus and convention system.
This statement is incorrect. OF the
two, the Primary system is consider
ably less expensive. Most voters will
remember the campaign of 1902 when
Mccullough, Proctor, Clement and
Webb were candidates for the Repub-
lican nomination for governor. This
is believed to have been the most ex-
pensive, in proportion to the number
of voters, ever known in this part OF
the country. This contest was under
caucus and convention system. 1t is
not on record shat a direct Primary
campaign anywhere ever cost at the
same proportion. As matter Of fact
the cost of campaign has always de-
pended on the wealth of the candidates
and their inclination to spend money
rather than any system Of nomination
used. This Vermont primary on which
the voters are to decide March 18th
a provision compelling every
candidate, whether winner or loser to
make public his expenses and this pub
licity will do more to limit the unfair
use of money than any other one
thing. On account of this provision
alone the law should be accepted by
the voters in view of the scandals that
have on several occasions attended
Vernon. campaigns.
Under the provisions of the propos-
ed primary, candidates for town rep
resentatives may or may not be select
ed just as the voters prefer. They
can leave the choice of town represen-
tative candidates to a caucus 20 be
held later if they prefer or to ,nde-
pendent filed nomination such as are
now used in many towns. The pri-
mary does not apply to town, city, vii
lage or school district elections or 20
choice of justices of the peace.
The proposed law provides for a
of each party to prepare
a party platform and makes nominees
for state and county Offices members
of this convention. By this method !
the men who have the platform 70 |
carry out have part in making the
platform and in this way greater party
is secured.
The friends of the direct primary
make no claim that the primary is a
panacea or cure for ell political evils
but they DO feel sure tina. it will give
voters direct control of making their
own nominations and in this way a
frmer hand in the government Of
heir state.
The statement has been made in
some quarters that direct nominations
we're unduly favorable to the large
owns and give them advantage over
he small towns. This statement is
absolutely untrue. Nominations by
iirect primary are now made in 40 Of
he Is states Of the Union and in not
me single case have the primary laws
,een found to be Of special advantage
o large towns and cities or Of any
disadvantage TO the small towns.
So far as my own personal obserya-
Jon goes / have found the most earn
st opponents Of the direct primary 70
~ those who had some selfish reason
.or trying to control nominations and