Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-08-11
LET GEORGE DO IT,


When full party vote comes out
at primary election. or even that
part of the registered vote that is
cast at general election, We can
claim to have tested the primary
principle and will be entitled 10
express an opinion as to how it
works.
The vote cast here and all over
The State ON Tuesday shows that
The real test WAS not made in West
Virginia. The primary vote iii over
the country was Il light vote. con-
sistins generally Of the organ:za-
lion vote, which is carried TO the
polls by persons appointed for that
purpose. Yet this vote is taken for
and legally is, a party'S expression.
Ii was to prevent Il few voices speak
ing for party that the primary
was instituted, but unless party vot-
CTS go to the polls and make their
own nominations, the working of
the primary cannot produce results
greatly different from those of the
convention system.
Suffrage being equal, free and I'M
limited, ii has no particular value.
When ii was unequal the diSfran-
chiScd were regarded as greatly op-
pressed. If it were now to be re-
strictcd there would be a rcvolu-
lion. If it were taken away we
would fight to get ii back, but nav
ing ii we don't use il. Don't we
think it is worth while to help Sc
lcct candidates? Evidently we
don't. The tickets nominated on
Tuesday were just what you helped
10 nominate or permitted to be
nominated because Of your indif-
dcrence. Ii is not time to yell
now. George is always being per-
united TO do it.-Ga-cite.
The above serves as very good
foundation for what we want to try
10 say. Formerly, with very few
local exceptions, all party candi-
dates were nominated by conven-
lions. These conventions were
either district, equity, congressional
State or National. Through tho con-
vention system of nomination, the
paid politician usually got in his
work and it was the general con-
Scious Of opinion that the whole
was corrupt. SO strong did public
opinion come against this method
thatthc primary was adopted in
most all States. The idea was that
this would enable the people them
selves to make the nominations of
their respective candidates and
that the people themselves would
through this method take an active
interest in making the nominations
Tor their respective parties. In 1916
West Virginia held the first general
primary election. In some parts Of
the State the primary Of that year
was very corrupt and there was
even much blood shed in places.
The off year of 1913, was compar-
atlvcly quiet. In 1920 there was
charges of corruption of all kinds.
Inc election last week passed of
with very little interest. Notwith-
standing the primary election is
held at a terrific cost to the tax-Day-
erS, there was not over fifty per
cent Of the total vote cast at the
election of the two parties on Aug
lis the First: The primary elections
are of far more importance than
me general election because at the
PRIMARIES the men and women are
selected and some of these men and
women are to be elected at the gen
cral election.
In primary election it is the Sc
icction of men and women. In a
general election il is a matter of
partN polIcy and party principles.
'h every band at most any time. one
may near complaints made as TO the
way or government J.. ,.,,,. J>,,+ 20