Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-07

all intents and purposes he will be
a 'free lance and there is no doubt
that he will align himself with a group
of senators who turn deaf ears to pure
ly party appeals.
Old Liners Resent Primary
In old-line party ranks there is grow
ing revolt against the primary system.
New York state virtually has abandon
ed this method of selecting party an
didates for office. Republicans Of the
old school regard the direct primary
as a heritage from the progressive
party movement and resent it.
President Harding is among those
who decry the primary system. His
, feeling on the subject has not been
brought about by the defeat of his
closest friend, Senator New. despite
the fact that he feels the defeat very
keenly. The president expressed him
sf long ago in no uncertain terms, as
to what he regarded as the dement's
of the primary system.
Harding Example of FIuke
President Harding regards himself
as a striking example of the fact that
the primary system broke down COM
pletely in a national sense when it
came to selecting presidential condi-
dates in 1920. If the republicans at
Chicago had been compelled to give
the nomination to an aspirant having
chosen at primaries, Mr.. Harding
would not have had a chance.
Mr.. Harding did not have the means
necessary to make a nationwide cam
paign and no N1an in the primary sys-
tor, am offarl <o hiIn hic Iiubt nrlAr
a bushel. 1t is contended by the anti
primary republicans that the immense
mounts shown to have been expended
in behalf Of certain aspirants for the
nomination in 1920 were proof in them
selves of the un~desirability of the
system as at present understood.
Will Fight II State bv State
Inasmuch as the primary system
grew up state by state, the fight
against the primary will have to be
waged in each separate commonwealth.
There is no purpose on the part of
the anti primary senator's, representa-
tives and administration officials in
Washington to rob Mr.. Beverage of
any glory of his splendid victory. They
cannot refrain from pointing out, how
that under q convention system.
Mr.. New, with all of the influence and
prestige of the national administration
as well as the state organization be-
hind him, would have had no difficulty
whatever in obtaining the nomination.
1t is President Harding's contention
that the convention system of nOmina-
lion imposes greater party obligations
on the candidate than the primary
ever can hope to do. The pres
ldent believes that the primary breaks
down party control and, therefore, Sc
affects government by party.
The United States is distinctly a gov
eminent by party, he asserts. and,
therefore, government is effective only |
insofar as party management and par !
~ discipline is effective. The presi-
dent dwelt upon the essentially of
government in his first formal
u essage to the present congress-.
Test Of Time on Parties
Granting that we are fundamentally
4 representative popular government,
said, with political parties the
party in power should assume re-
'ponsibility, determine upon policies in
he conference which supplements con-
and election campaigns and
strive for achievement through
to accepted policy.
There is vastly greater security,
immensely more of the national view
'oint, much larger and prompter ac-
'omplishment where divisions are along
,arty lines in the broad, loftier sense
han to divide geographically or ac-
'ording to pursuit or personal follow
ng. For a century and a third, par
les have been charged with RESPONSE
,ility and held in strict accounting.
they fail they are relieved of au-
hority, and the system has brought
is to a national eminence no less than
world example"
1t is easy to understand the concern
he president feels over any system of
election or bloc control
Which tends to break down party reg
Ilarity and party discipline. He is
low, always has been and always will
re a party a
The anti-primary movement, there
ore, has the presidents influence
quarely behind it. Efforts of the
ampaign will be directed at the east
IN states, for they are not believed
0 be so firmly welded to the sys-
EN- as the west, whence the move
tent came,
Meantime other important primaries
re near at hand and If the "old guard
cts another setback, the ti-primary
lght will be Oh In earnest and q merry
ow will be in prospect.