Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-05
Wednesday, April S. 1922.
CONVENTIONS. PRIMARIES AND
PARTIES

"a
the party in the State meeting al
Bangor on Thursday and the repre-
sentatives OF the Democratic party
assembling at Augusta Friday. The
Republicans should meet in high
spirit, in the assurance that the
things for which the party stands are
in the hands of able men, that its
principles are being faithfully and
ably demonstrated in government
management. The Democrats on the
other hand are meeting a year and a
half after an astounding defeat, but
defeat has never yet daunted the
hope which springs eternal in the
Democratic breast and it may be as
sumed they will derive somewhat of
comfort IL not of profit from the
gathering.
---- A fact which the representatives of
neither party may escape is that the
present primary law has in effect
proved detrimental to party influence
and responsibility, weakened leader
ship, encouraged individualism at the
expense of party, discouraged those
who otherwise might aspire to public
Office in other ways and at less eX-
pense than is possible through the
primary. Whatever may be said in
behalf of the primary system these
faults are writtHH so large in our ex-
perience with the law that they may
not be denied.
The Democrats are expected to IA
vor in their platform the resubmis-
sion of the primary law to the people.
What the Republican convention may
decide to do remains to be seen. AS
q general proposition. whenever
enough desire such a change to war
rant resubmission, it should be fav-
cred. The number desiring the change
should be both large and influential
such that there might be assurance
that the public is aroused and is
ready to register it's will. Whether
that time has come may be open to
question. Undoubtedly opposition to
the law Is On the increase; 1t is ex
pensive, it favors some localities at
the expense of others, it often invites
candidates with ambition and money
who would not be considered by the
representative men of a party or
flee holder from subsection to his par
ty organization it places him under
another subsection, forces him to run
amuck among blocs Of voters armed
with ballot clubs. In all this we see
the weakening of the great party
which binds somewhat conflicting
elements by compromise into con-
Certed action, and We find encour-
agement to the formation of groups
held together solely by selfish or
fanatical purposes, restrained by no
traditions and functioning after the
raidlng outside the main body but
ready TO slip back under it's cover if
called upon to face consequences.
We have seen advanced no practi-
cal suggestion for improvement in
the law and unless that may be done
resubmission would necessitate a
choice between the present law and
the conditions prevailing prior to its
adoption. Time and severe tests have
demonstrated need of political party
organization. The men selected I'M
der it for leadership have compared
favorably with leaders the world over
and have been a wonderful improve
ment on many Of them. The found
ers OF the government have COM
manded the respect of intelligent
people everywhere by reason of what
they did. They did not overlook the
value Of the town meeting in the de-
Gliding of local questions but recog-
nized the difficulty that would be en-
countered were the people to attempt
.-ao deal in the same way with ques-
.-tions OF broader government, which
: might better be administered by
choosing as representatives those.
who for some good reason might be
considered especially capable for
such purpose.
= 1t so comes about that party con-
( Sentions Of today are not what they
were, cannot exert the influence on
governmental affairs which they
should exert. This in some way
should be remedied; the condition is
one to be feared. A party should
have principles and should be held
responsible for them. The Republic
cans at Bangor, today. will be elo-
iquently reminded of-what has been
accomplished In a little more than q
.year in our national affairs. 1t Is q
splendid record. No party was ever
lcalled to q bigger or less inspiring
flask. It should excite the pride of
the Republicans in Maine and inspire
them to high resolve for the future.
I Many will miss the old time attrac.