The Glenwood post., 1921-04-02
PRIMARY Law IS.
STILL POPULAR
Prominent Men in All Parties
Are Seriously Opposed
to its Repeal
SAFEGUARD OF VOTERS

For several years there has been con-
siderable talk concerning the advisa-
hiiity of repealing the primary method
of making political nominations and 60
ing back to the old convention system,
whereby disreputable political leaders,
BY the use of, unfair methods, were
sften able to pack conventions and Sc
cure nominations that were repulsive
to the better class or the majority of
We voting public.
Since the goo people of this state in
their wisdom eliminated the saloons the
opportunity for rotten politics in the
securing of party nominations has
been decreased very materially, and yci
the Post is thoroughly convinced that
the primary law has had much to do
with the improved conditions. At least
the common people, thru the protec-
,ton given them by the present primary
law, have had the opportunity Of ex
pressing themselves as to who would
be the nominees of their party for the
various offices to be filed. If they did
not always fully avail themselves of
this opportunity. they have at least had
the satisfaction of knowing that thu
opportunity was not denied them.
Concerning the Pollock bill, passed
last Saturday in the lower house, and
this week discussed in the senate-the
Gill which proposes to repeal the pres
eat primary law, the Post is thorough
y convinced that the passage of this
siil will mean = step backwards, and in
proof Of this assertion we give the
views Of several reputable citizens and
politicians in different political par
eies.
Benjamin Griffith, Republican and
formerly attorney general of the state,
10 unalterably opposed to the measure.
''The politicians have done all the
,aiking condemning the primary law
SO fa4," he said. "And the people
have not expressed their opinion. be-
lisve that the repeal of the primary law
as provided in the Pollock bill is .
step backward. In spite Of defects in
the primary law, it is better than the
ed convention system.
''Our present law is q combination
Of the convention and primary systems.
1t allows the party to have = voice in
the selection of the candidates at the
vention and let's the people have
their voice in the matter At the pri-
mary.
Admitting there are some defects,
L an still strong for our present sys-
tenn, and think that, if possible, the de-
fects should be remedied by amendment
sad mot by wiping out the Law. If the
safety clutch was left of, believe the
people would sustain my statement"
john F. Vivian, Republican national
committeeman from Colorado, and regis
ter Of the land board, says that he has
.st studied the bill, but that he is op-
posed to the repeal of the primary law.
"If statements made concerning the
Pollock bill are correct, am against
it," he said last night. "There are
defects in the primary law, but this
bill apparently does not remedy them"
Philip Hornbein, formerly state chair
nan of the Democratic state central
committee, is another who assails the
Pollock bill passed by the lower house
Of the general assembly.
"The bill, if enacted into law,
would take away the shield Of the peo-
pie from the political bosses" Mr..
HOrnbein states.
s'It would again return us to the
convention system Of selecting candi-
dates, which means the old bipartisan
machine again would control politics in
the state. am most heartily in accord
with editorial in the Rocky Mountain
News Of Saturday. 1 do not believe
ne people want the primary law re-
pealed. and if the safety clutch was
left of the measure believe the peo-
pie would show they also would be in
aecord with the position Of the News
On the NATTER
Archibald A. Lee, prominent Denver
attorney, expresses his views Of the
uAtter in unmista&Abls tsfns.
Continued on Page Three.)