Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-27
G;reHias'S1 GTsSias Yestsfdsy Essds 144O2
Dishonest Primary Election Laws.


The State of Nebraska, where Presi-
Dental and local primaries were heid
last, Tuesday, is one of those States that
have a so-called ''modern, reform Pri-
mary Election law. Like the rest oil Its
iIk. it essays to afford party voters an OPP
portunity to express their choice as 10
nartv nominations. and TO have the voting
honestly counted and the results fairly as
certained: but, like the others, 1T is
delusion and fraud in that it affords
ample opportunity to make the results
just the opposite of what they should po'
and to utterly overthrow fair expression
bv the voters of any party.
The legitimate purpose OF a primary
election enactment should be, hrst, 10
protect the integrity of party's primary
contests by confining voting to the recog-
nized. honest voters of the party, or TO
those who sincerely intend TO vote Win
that party at the ensuing general eiec-
ton. In a word, that only Republicans
should vote at Republican primary cleo
ton. and only Democrats at Democratie
primary election and the same IN respect
of the primaries of other political parties.
And secondly, to see that the voting at
all party primaries is fair and honest
and the counting of the ballots absolutely
correct.
But such is not the operation--lndeed,
,ot the purpose-of these freak PHI
mary Election laws in too large numoer
of our States. A news item sent out IN
connection with the Nebraska primaries
If Tuesday last affords eloquent tesu-
monv to the unfairnoss and dishonesty
made possible by such laws. 1t was TO
the effect that MIR. Bryan, who was
candidate for delegate-at-large to the
Democratic National Convention, IN ms
speaking campaign chad appealed TO the
Republican women of the State to register
MS Democrats and to vote Tor him' In
order TO save the cause OF prohibition
MIR. BRYAN is firm advocate OF national
prohibition. and desired to attend the
Democratic National Convention as
delegate, in order to work Tor a deciara-
tion in support of this cause in the Demo-
cratic national platform.
Regardless of the merits OF or oblec-
tions to national prohibition, the dlsnon-
estv of such an appeal as MIR. Bryan is
said to have put forth, or of an appeal by
a Republican aspirant to Democrats 10
register as Republicans and give him their
support. may be put down as absolutely
dishonest. Certainly such practices strike
a deadly blow at the integrity OF party
primaries by injecting hostile partisan
influences into their results, and the laws
to which we have alluded not only permit
these dishonest practices, but encourage
them,
In Pennsylvania. under the provisions
of the dishonest Primary Election that
was foisted upon the people by the cor
rupt Republican machine, Democratic
nominations are regularly made by Re-
publican votes in districts where the
Republican dominance is sufficient Tor the
purpose. and it is such in large majority
of the voting districts. Sometimes this
ruthless power is directed TO the making
of unpopular Democratic nominations,
but more frequently it is employed In
naming q Republican as the regularly
nominated Democratic candidate Tor
public Office. When this fraudulent and
despicable result is secured, honest Demo-
Gratis. when they go to the general cleo
tion, are compelled to resort to suckers,
or the writing of name on the ballot, IN
order TO vote for real Democratic candl-
date.
All these dishonest, 'freak' laws regu-
iating primary elections were enacted
under the guise OF reform, but in operation
they fatty repudiate the professions ad-
vaneed in their favor. None of them IN
any manner resemble the Primary Elec-
ton law Of Delaware, which, enacted IN
response to calls for relief from system
of rotten, fraudulent, thievish primaries
conducted by the Democratic party IN
Wilmington, when primaries were not
legalized went right after the lawful pur-
pose in view. without circumlocution or
evasion. This law was enacted by a
Democratic Legislature at the request Of
leading members Of the Democratic par
ty, more than thirty years ago. and has
been In successful and satisfactory opera
ton ever since. without material amend
ment, beyond its extension so as to apply
to Kent and Sussex>counties, the original
enactment applying only to New Castle
county.
The Delaware Primary Election law is
plain, practical and effective. 1t re-
st<icts primary election voting to those
who become registered for voting at the
general election during the first three days
IF registration an opportunity ample for