Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-04-21

want IL ana now you oohl.
As everyone knows those who
favored the primary law thought to
eliminate the political boss. He
hasn't been eliminated. They thought
control OF affairs might be taken
from those with control Of wealth;
as matter Of fact no person who
wishes to make a successful contest
in the primaries against active op-
position may hope to do SO. at least
under normal conditions, unless eth
err he or his friends are prepared to
expend more than any person of
moderate means would be warranted
in doing. Then, too there are many Of
the people who haven't lived up to
the privilege offered by the law and
the cities have acquired u predomi-
nant influence at the expense Of the
smaller communities.
And has there been any improve
ment in the character Of the men OBJ
tanned for office? That is a question
each will settle for himself, but the
Journal is Of the opinion that If any
considerable advantage has been
gained thereby it isn't noticeable as
yet. It does not recall better'
representative gathering Of Republic
cans than that at Bangor last month,
chosen by caucus methods.
A feature of the law more objec-
tionable in many respects than any
other is that it encourages personal
rather than party control; and for
man to obtain or retain personal
control Of many thousands, who have
little actual knowledge Of him, it be-
comes necessary for him to capture
their fancy, <heir imagination-a
possession no man is capable for long
of using to the advantage of all con-
cerned. Theodore Roosevelt did it
so long as he functioned within the
lines Of political party. It was
said he was bigger than his party
and at times he was, when CO.
operating with the party.
AS the mass improves in intelli-
gence it's dependence on hero worship
should grow less. and the need Of
party would oorrespondinsly in
crease. A man or a measure with
out a majority to depend on is in a
precarious' position. Self preserva-
ton in either case depends on ability
to command that support. Where
two strong political parties are con-
fronting each other, each watching
for signs of weakness in the other,
self-preservation requires good men,
measures and management Under
such conditions party leaders have
an incentive to meet the demand and
the ability to make good selections.
Are the people convinced respect
ing the exact credits and discredits
Of the primary law and ready to do
away with it without further con-
sideration? Are they not in q mood
to test the matter further. before eff
fecting any change? We think they
are. But evidently discussion Is in
order, is extremely desirable, in
fact. On Monday morning our let
ter Box" contained a communica-
ton from President Silsl CT Bowdoin
College suggesting that it the people
were TO go back to the caucus and
convention methods 1t might be well
to have provision whereby. in case
the results were Objectionable to any
considerable number they might de-
mand referendum.
It might be possible, though to us
it seems hardly probable, so to fix the
restriction Of such q referendum that
a few disgruntled persons or those
with axes to grind could muss mat
tiers SO that in many instances the
voters would be subjected to the con-
fusion Of both methods.
Another suggestion is that local
primaries be provided at which all
parties may vote for delegates to all
party conventions. In that way OBJ
jectionable snap methods. which
might be used 'unaer the old caucus
procedure. could be avoided, and the
conditions would DO better suited to
the convenience Of the voters es-
pecially when women shall vote.
These are but the beginning Of
many suggestions which are likely
to arise, but in view of their recent
experiences the people may be ex-
pected to examine them more criti-
cally than they were disposed to do a