Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-23
STRESSES ADVANTAGES OF
4 DIRECT PRIMARY LAW
U. S. Tariff Commission Member Says Issues of Peace
and War Are Involved in Ability of Democracy to
Function Through Proper Representation.

| In spirited address on the ad
vantages of the direct primary law.
Edward Prcntiss Costigan, United
States Tariff Commission member,
spea king at the closing session OF the
conference on governmental efficiency
in the hall of the House Of Delegates
! last night. told his audience that the
issues OF peace and war were in
NolNcd in the ability of the de-
mocracy of this and other States to
function through proper represents
ton.
MIR. CostiEan declared that if what
ever political machine we have fails
TO rightfully represent us. we are face
10 face with peril. lie declared en-
phatically against Il political ma
chine which would prove Il massacre
of the people. and cndeavored to
stress the need for nomination and
election of candidates best fitted for
Office MIR. Costigan pointed out in
great detail the evils and abuses of
the convention system OF nomination.
and laudcd Secretary of State Charles
Evans Hughes for his nrm stand for
the direct primary law.
The speaker paid tribute to Gov
ernor Westmoreiand Davis and
Colonel Leroy Hodges. his aid, for
he declared. was a model that other
States were avidly cmulating
Should BE Compulsory.
MIR. Costigan said that, following
his twenty years OF experience with
direct primary nomination laws, he
had come to the conclusion that they
should be compulsory. State wide and
applicable to all elective offices and
to henderson, necessary party COM
t,.tN
the nomination of United States SEN
ators. members OF the national House
of Representatives. and presidential
and rice-presidcntial electors. He de-
clarcd that the direct primary ballot,
in general. so far as practicable.
should be shortened by reducing to
the smallest possible number. con-
sistent with efficient government, the
officers to be nominated.
He defined the laws as Il result or n
popular revolt against evils of the
convention system, and declared IL In
advisable TO permit party conventions
either 10 write the party platforms or
10 designate or indorSc candidates.
Mr.. C"stignn said the test of the right
of voter to participate i'm any pri-
mary should he his Willingness. if
challenged, 70 swear, Sat the time the
pa Thy with the purposes Of the politi-
cal party. who's. ballot he is under
taking To vote. He also declared that
the law should provide for conveying
information to voters with respect TO
the names OF candidates. their uuaii-
ficaions. political pledges and their
aims.
In conclusion. MIR. CostiGan said. In
part: Adequate criminal and other
penalties should he provided for vio-
iation of the law ana for perjury,
forgery and other offcnses. The lcgis-
laturc should declare its intent that
the law is 10 be literally interpreted
10 accomplish its purpose"
signal Victory for Women.
The closing session of the confer
encc was signal victory for the vir-
Sinia League OF Women Voters in
their cndcavor TO crystaiizc sentiment
Tor IL simp!iicd. economical and ef-
hcicnt form Of State government
w hen Mr.. CostiGan had concluded.
Miss Adele Clark. presiding. asked for
open discussion of the problems he
mad propounded and Immediately
there was a veri;ablc barragc of uues-
tons from the many delegates to the