The Washington times., 1916-03-16
Politicians Are Guessing Pre-
Ilminary Voting viii Have
Less Effect Than in 1912.
BLAME ON WHITE HOUSE
Administration Accused Of Pour
ing "CoId Water" on Presi-
Dental Primary Legislation.
By JUDsoN C. wELLIvER.

| Although nearly two-thirds OF the dele
gates TO the Republican national con-
vention will be chosen this year In pri-
maries. politicians are guessing that
the primary choices will be far less in
1uential than they were four years ago.
and vastly less important in deciding
convention results than they were ex-
pccted to be I'm this years contest.
Following the Republican convention
i OF 1912 II was a very common prediction
that there would never be another nom
mating convention that would actually
nominate. 1t was believed that before
four years should pass there would he
a national primary for Presidential can
didates. or else about all the states
would have adopted primary laws for
selecting delegates.
Instead. the primary has made little
progress in the last four years. II has
not especially commended itself in the
Eastern States. New York's unfortu-
nate experience with primary law that
/ seemed rather to strengthen the grip OF
the organizations has not helped make
sentiment for the plan.
Laid at White House.
| The largest responsibility. however.
for the failure to give the primary
larger Importance must be laid 1T
the door of the White House. Presi-
dent Wilson came into office an en-
thusiast for Presidential primary
Legislation. When a real chance to
pass such IAN act developed the Ad-
ministratinn was found opposed to IL.
and IL has had nothing but cold water
since. Nobody has ever claimed to
L.
ministration's mind so Unexpectedly:
| hut there arc a good many Republi-
cans Just now who are glad the Pres
ident didn't insist on the passage of
q national Presidential primary law.
They think the nomination of n can
| didste in the convention, on the basis
of counsels developed there. will give
that party the best chance 1t can
| hope for.
This confidence that the nomination
liz destined TO be made in the con-
INentton. and only after mature DELHI
| Grafton. is reflected in the very Ian
G%a int taken in the returns
| Minnesota. 1t is, recalled that four
| years ago Minnesota was a tremen-
dously important State. which Roosc
vclt swept. Illinois. Pennsylvania
Observation-Disclosures primary Stat;
was watched with the keenest con-
i Germ. for every one represented the
popular verdict. ard the public was
| duNiONS 10 utClaTe lLSeI.
Matters Much Changed.
This year matters arc entirely differ
emit The public seems to have been
reinstated in its confidence that the
great party council IL the right place
to settle vital issues. National convcn-
| lions, instead of being denounced as
boss dominated aggregations of high
waymen. are esteemed as likely IN
prove real delibcrative bodies; and both
wings of the Republican party-in which
| will take place the only contest this
year-are giving their trust to the big
| gathering.
Senator Cummins has carried the first
State that has given preferential
| declaration for anybody save favortte
son. He carried Minnesota, in a small
| vote but overwhelmingly Indiana of
course gave It's support to Fairbanks;
| and Il Is not to be overlooked that the
| Indiana primary act seems to impose on
| the delegation the obligation to vote
finish. There Is no provision for second
| choices. 1t Is not very obvious how
| that law would work. II 1t were dupli-
| Gated on the books of every state, Tor
| II might tie up the convention so that
| nobody could ever get majority. For
tInatcly. there is no other law quite
| like II in the country,
| North Dakota will have its primary
March u. and will give its delegation TO
| Senator La Toilette, who also had II
| four years ago. Tho Cummins and La
| Toilette people have modus vivendt'
under which they are not to invade each
! others territory. La Follette<kept out
| OF Minnesota. Cummins keeps out or
North Dakota; la Toilette keeps away
| from South Dakota and Nebraska. and
| everything indicates that Cummins will
have both of those States.
Wisconsin for La Toilette.
La Toilette will get Wisconsin. barring
PC ssibly a district or two. and Cum
minis, for the first time in his career
will be in complete control of the Iowa
delegation.
The dates of primaries and number OF
delegates, State by state, arc:
| Num-
her
delegates.
Indiana, March 7....................... 26
Minnesota, March l4.....,........,, y