Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-02
Money and l'rimnIics

= EFOltE the days OF presidential primaries
II II may have been that unworthy prac-
tees were engaged in during the selection Of
convention delegates. The people may not
have had an active voice in the choice of
candidates. Log-rolling went on. jockeying
took place and other evils were apparent.
But, at that, little scandal was connected
with the political maneuvering, and little
money was expended on the part of the can
didutcs or their managers to influence the
result OF State or district conventions.
IN more modern times the preferential
primary has come into vogue. These refer
cAdums are carried on in more than half of
inc States. Candidates appear in person.
They make stumping campaigns. They dis
cuss the issues before the people They in
Vite support and the State delegations are
presumed TO abide by the instructions given
by the sovereign voters. Theoretically. this
Is the more democratic process for nominal
ing candidates for the presidency On pa
per, 1t is the only dofensiblc means of sound
ing public sentiment.
Eut there are plenty of folks who are ND
In arms against the presidential primary
system In the first place, the voters, as n
Whole refuse to 80 to the polls. In some
states. during the recent contest, not more
than 70 per cent of the electors took the
trouble to record their choice This was
particularly true of Massachusetts, OF Mary
land ana of New York
In the next place. primary campaignng
has proven to be outragcously expensive.
According to witnesses before the Senate
committee two and perhaps three millions
OIL dollars were raised and expended TO pro-
mote the candidates. of men seeking the
nominations at the hands OF the two polit-
lcai parties One candidate alone was the
pcnehclary OF more than ) 1,000,0GO, and
another put up out OF his own pocket nearly
half a million dollars.
lhat this is wrong, nobody will argue
IL SIMPLY means that 10 candidate for tho
hlSheSt oil o!iccs can expect to be nominated
without great deal OF money to orgauiyo
sentiment i'll his behalf, 10 matter hos prc
eminenty quaihed he may he Tho Dri-
mary system cannot be invoked with sue
cess as Il countrywide proposition by ccndi-
oates who are without generous financial
backing. and such backing, for the man who
Sels INC nomination amounts to thc outright
purchase of party's favor.
IL the primary principle is to be prc-
served safeguards must he thrown about IL.
IL, III the future, presidential candidates are
seiected by the direct vote OF the people.
ana II that vote is TO represent the uninlu-
enced sentiment of party followers. The on
penditure of great sums of money mus. no
prohibited.
Congress must deal with this matter
ALREADY 1t has enacted Il campaign publicity
law which limits the amount of money n
candidate for the House or Senate NAV re-
ceive and cNpcnd. But this must he fol-
lowed by law, rigidly enforced which Will
mint the amount OF money which NAV he
raised and expended to promote the causc
OF presidential candidate. Otherwise the
primary system eventually will be abolished
wen no" that system has become so dis
,ieuiteu that Few OF the delegates instructed
nE their States, upon direct vote. DAY any
serious attention 10 the EXPRESSED viii ~
the voters -