Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-05-04
THE DIRECT PRIMARY AGAIN.

The Omaha World-Hcrald prints a
letter from Robert Ross, OF Lexlng-
ton, Nebraska, who was candidate.
under the primary law. for president
Of the United states ana who receiv-
ed between $1,000 and 10000 votes,
or about twenty per cent OF the to-
tai votes cast. Mr. Ross had quail
fled on both the republican and dem
ooratic tickets. While he was not
In the. lead on either ticket. his ag-
eregate vote was far larger than that
of Estabrook. for example, ana
nearly equalled that Of Cummns, who
gets tire state on the republican tick
ct. or that OF Henry Ford, who was
less than three hundred votes behind
fummins
Few people OF Nebraska knew any
thing of Ross. They didn't know in
what business he was engaged or
what sort OF platform he was run
ming on. In view OF the heavy vote
east for him, citizen OF WAYNE.
Neb,. wrote Mr. Ross asking for some
facts regarding himself. Under q
letter head showing the candidate TO
be the proprietor OF a livery stable,
the following reply was written:
Lexington Neb April "a 1915
Wayne Neb Mr. w |. CASTOR Dear sir
your card received and viii say that
was horned in Ropley ohio. MY
parents moved from there when I waA
years old 10 CatleitsburR, X was
educated there and at Portsmouth
ohio, and raised as d Methodist Of
which my parents was when about 1 7
cane to nebraska Lexington Dawson
60 about q years ago was on ranches
and later farmer for about 30 years
different things a short time In the
abuvc mentioned was Member OF
vangelieal Church IN enrly days and
now q member OF Presbyterian here
ii Lexington Neb for about years
have never taken drink of liquor
nor my father Gather since 1 was old
enough to know till he died you you
preachers ought 90 get busy and give
the delegates to under stand VIVA
your Intention Is II they nominated d
man of whiHkey type or one going 4
tuu faced as some of them Is very
truly Robert q Ross, Lexington
g.eb."
Mr., Ross may be aud probably is q
successful manager OF livery stable
which Is perfectly legitimate ant
honorable business The proprietor
OF a livery stable might be ireeden
tai timbel. But Judging from th'
above letter Mr.. Ross Is man OF alb
soluiely no education ana hasn't tn,
slightest grasp Of any public question
lie doesn't know there are sucl
things as public questions.
Yet a man Of that stamp -uttcri!
unqualified for position on tn
council OF town OF five hundre,
people~under the direct primary lay
In state having next 10 tho loves
percentage of illlterecy OF all tn
states 10 tho union. received abou
twenty per cent Of The aggregate yot
east by The two great political par
ties
This showing WAS made by the pr
mary law as exercised by one of III
most Intelligent celebrates of tn
whole United states at time whei
this nation faces conditions OF IN
utmost importance which may invoiv
the gravest consequences. II eve
there WAS time slneo the civil wa
when the country needed big broa
minded. clear-visioned, decisive ma
~ The White House, 1t is now. To
nearly two years the nation has heo
confronted with the graven dangers
and the next four or five years ar
ure 90 be CHARGED with events Of IN
most solemn import. Yet, under N
system devised for the rule of IN
aeupie about twenty per cent Of IN
Vters who went to the polls in IN
treat agricultural and Industrial sta,
# Nebraska cast their ballots for a
fnoramus as their choice for pres
dent Of the United States
What was done IN Nebraska misl
ne done under the direct primary 1
any other state OF the union, aud
is easily conceivable that glib-talb
Ing demogogae Of no qualification
FOR membership ~ the New Mexic
legislature. might be nominated +,
president by one OF the great polite,
parties. When we can have sue
congressman and senators as We ha,
now anything is possible to the eour
Try should the direct preference pr
mary become general