The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-21
SUNDAY. NOVEMBER 2l. 1920.
Mr.. Hughes Is Against Restoring
- the Old Convention.

{ huBHto ho hedAhsb nNSeO1
= the Old Convention.
The first reports of the remarks of
the Hon. CHARLES e. HUGHES about
the direct primary gave somewhat
confusing idea of his lucubrations on
the subject. Fuller dispatches indi-
cate what might have been expected
from his initiative and previous rela-
ton to the experiment, that is, the
absence of any radical change in his
views. His attitude is now defensive
I'm face of the certainty that with
+ Governor-eect MILLER in Office there
1 Is, bound to be an energetic attempt
{ ut revision of the electoral law in
this respect.
Mr.. HUGHES recognizes clearly the
emptiness of the so-called Presidential
primaries, for which there Is abso-
lutely no provision or warrant in the
, Constitution of the United States.
The question as to Presidential prima-
ries is quite distinct from that dis
cussed by him at Indianapolis on
Thursday evening.
In balancing the advantages of the
present State and local system against
the defects disclosed by quite ade-
quate trial Mr.. HUGHEs's summary
of the defects charged against the ex-
isting direct primary methods is so
clear and forcible that it might well
be adopted as the indictment. We
print the counts in the Judges own
language:
81. That the direct primary over
burdens the election machinery by
requiring two campaigns"
It does.
"2. That il entails heavy expense
It does. as the taxpayers now know
only too WELL
-. That it ignores the necessity
for consultation and conference in
the selection of candidates"
This puzzles us a little, inasmuch as
the consultation and conference" in
the selection of candidates was origi-
na1ly and vigorously alleged by the
promoters of the direct primary sys-
tenn to be a defect rather than an adj
vantage. Such consultation and con-
ference were generally represented as
Inherently vicious in intent, base in
motive and against clean politics in
oh
sence of preliminary consultation and
conference is to be set down in the
column of minus quantities rather
than to the credit of the direct pri-
mary there may be some comfort for
those who deplore their absence in the
fact that while human political ma
fure remains what it Is there will al
ways be unofficial pre-primaries for
the direct primaries established by
legislative wisdom.
81. That il affords no suitable OPP
portunity for the formulation of
party platforms"
True. The recommendations of the
unofficial convention" so called, are
a sorry substitute for the authorita-
tive platform of the party organiza-
ton as framed and declared by re-
sponsible delegates in the old way.
"5 That It aids the efforts Of self
advertisers and demagogues."
1t certainly does.
&c. That even in the case OF those
who are not TO be so characterized.
II leads to unseemly appeals for per-
sonal support. especially in the case
Of candidates for Judicial Office"
We have all seen how this works.
81. That frequently men who would
be desirable candidates will not en-
ter the primary contest"
Number seven in Mr.. HUGHEs's
catalogue is indeed a considerable OBJ
lection; and he very candidly speaks
of it as to his mind the most serious
question. "The aversion" he admits,
"to a primary contest on the part Of
men consplcuously well fitted for Of
fee Is quite APPARENT
IS. That the contest is likely 10
develop bitterness which weakens the
party In the ensuing campaign FOR
election"
Over and over again this has been
demonstrated to the satisfaction Of
most unbiased observers. The excep-
Non Is In the case Of cataclysm
like that Of three weeks ago: but
such an ensuing campaign for cleo
ton" seldom occurs.
In our desire to help Mr. HUGHEs
p,tt the pros and cons plainly before
the people we next exhibit his state
mcnt Of the advantages he perceives