Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-03
The Primary Is Here to STAY

The Primary Is Here to Stay
E VEN its stoutcst proponents never have
- set up the claim that the primary law Is
perfect. No system Of selecting candidates
for public office ever has, and perhaps never
will, attain that desirable state as the
law is written in Virginia, it possibly has
defects flaws which it should be the aim
of the General Assembly to eradicate, but
1t has, in the way it has worked and the
results ii has brought, demonstrated that
II Is so lar superior to the old discredited
convention system that there can be no
serious thought OF its abandonment except
perhaps in the minds Of those whose selfish
political ends might be more easily served
In Virginia. as well as in other States, it
las proved an admirable instrument for the
registering of the popular untrammcled
Will, and ii has come 10 stay In fact many
OF the defects popularity attributed 10 the
primary system are really no part of it, but
The 0utgrowth OF undue restrictions thrown
about the right to vote. To those barriers
erected at time when they seemed neccs-
sary to safeguard the ballot box, the Cen
cral Assembly should direct it's attention.
now that the conditions which gave them
birth have ceased TO exist
me chief argument used in the present
effort 10 discredit tho primary is that il
Tor public Office rich mans game That
argument falls OF its own weight Politics
never has been and is not now something
III which poor man could indulge without
sacrlhce That is theory and not Il con-
ultion Nor can il be demonstrated that
the primary entails Il greater expenditure
OF time and money than the convention svs-
tom. Neither does it confer any added adj
vantage upon the man OF wealth over the
man or moderate means. Both work out
largely in the same fashion AS the pri-
mary functions, the man who can afford il
can campaign for one year. two years, three
years. or as long as he believes it profitable
to his cause. Naturally. the poor man is
barred from such expenditure Of time and
money. But that is not peculiar to the
primary Under the old convention method
the rich man followed the same procedure
in the gaining of delegates TO the district
county, city and State conventions There
III like manner, the poor man was barred
so, after all, in this one respect it is largely
hity-nlty proposition.
II the man OF small means is outstand-
ing in intellectual brilliancc and achieve
mcnt. ii ii Patrick Henry or a John War
WICK Daniel we're to be reborn in Virginia.
the dominance of his personality would
elect him regardless of the system But
hacking SncI attachments the candidate for
once VIII continue TO find il an expensive
pursuit. with the laws limiting the amount
candidate may disbursc lesitimately tho
le"i expense docs not arise much from
The cost OF campaigning MS from the hold
ing OF Office itself. with It's meagcr salary
III Virginia NJ least, and the loss of time
from business or profession With this the
primary has nothing To do 1t is however
reflection on State that paws such mar
hat M
means dares aspire to serve IT, Think OF
the Governor of Virginia drawing n pa,,rv
Sa.VOo the year. That is niggardliness
closely akin to criminal
me iime3-Dispatch was a pioneer in the
campaign that abolished the boss-riddou
convention and substituted the urinary
"hiic recognizing its defects and pressing
ior It's strengthening. it stands now where
J. ana theh. In Virginia, practically one
party state the primary really is the cleo
tion. and without il the voters would no do
. priVed OF their right OF expression at tho
polls Such contingency makes a ro.urn
10 tho convention unthinkab!e = nossibiii,,
10 which this newspaper never Womb con
sent.
Inc attack on tho primary is dcvoloninp
! throughout the country with a sDontanoitv
hat is suspicious The similarity Of tbo
propaganda with which the several S,a,ns
are being Hooded, the general trend Of tho
"hoercurrcht that is being set i'm motion
1 All point unerrinGly to its sources Yboeo
| sources are found in both parties. il, tbo
oia-fn"Fd type OF politician ana in the ma.
| chihcs that have been wrecked bv The from
expression Of The popular will M the no,,e
| once the motive OF the present attach 70
! thoroughly understood the insidious c,n
! paign will die of inanition
|
Just as usual, when The rivers and
h"Ipors p''l was passed. the Noble Jecms
! lhl!ed 10 get even honorable mention