Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-06
SEE HARDINGS
NEXT BATTLE
ON PRIMARIES
President DeplOres
Weakness of Pres
ent System.
PLAN IS FAILURE
Expects to Work for
Return to COnven-
ton Method.
Special to Indiana Daily Times


and Philadelphia Public Ledger.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-To
what political ideal will President
Harding next turn his hands?
There are increasing indications,
radiating from the White House,
that the abolition of the direct pri-
mary may be the issue to which
President Harding henceforth will
devote his energy and influence.
His friends know he feels more strongly
than ever the time has come TO call ma
tional attention to the weaknesses Of the
primary system. The President is far
from terrified by the fear that he will
be pilIoried as a 'reactiOnary" in advo-
eating q return to the old time delegate
convention method of nominating candi-
dates for public office. Opposition TO the
primary is no suddenly conceived notion
on Mr.. Harding's part. He always has
disliked II. He seldom engages in
serious political conversation with his
party intimates without seeking to per-
suade them that the primary, brief as
its existence has been, has outlived It's
usefulness.
what EiH enco 1-age President Hard
ing openly to spouse abandonment OF
the direct primary, if and when he does
so, is his conviction that the fight against
II needs only viriIe leadership. Ninety
nine men Of the hundred who from time
20 time talk politics at the White House
are outspoken in the belief that the phi
mary has signaIly failed tt contribute
to American political progress.
They have little hesitation In express
ing their views in the executive mansion.
But scarcely one Of the primary OPP
ponents who agree with the President
has the courage 10 take an open stand
for his convictions.
It was manifestly President Hardings
intention that his impromptu speech be-
fore the District Of Columbia Republican
clubs on Lincoln's birthday should
prove a keynote" for a Nationwide dis
cussion of the primary. Conference
treaties and bonus controversy were alb
sOrbing popular thought at the time. The
Presidents plain hint Of his incOrrigible
hostility to the direct primary was in
consequence lost in the shuttle Of other
public considerations. The White House
is gratifed TO observe the subject is re-
ceiylng treatment now.
The President is sincerely convinced
that many Of the United States present
day governmental ills would be durable If
the true spirit Of party sponsorship and
collective responsibility could be re
stored to its former predominance. 1t
was the spirit amid which the Repub-
lican party came to birth under Abraham
Lincoln. Mr. Harding would have the
collective responsibility Of a party or
ganization supersede the expression of
personal ambition. There is hardly q
politician Of stature, either Republican or
Democrat, who is not ready to cOncede
that the convention method OF selecting
candidates produced a larger crop of
political frst-rsters than the primary,
system has bred. Accidents" and false
alarms" mounted into eminence under the
old system. But on the average men OF
merit emerged. Under the primary sys
TEN many politicians aver false alarms"
are the rule, rather than the exception.
present SYSTEM
DISAPPOINTING.
Mr.. Harding. who is rounding out a
quarter OF century In the urly-burly
Of American politics, beginning with his
first fight for a seat In the Ohio Legis-
lature, freely comedies the abuses de-
veloped in the practice Of the convention
system. He has seen the corporation in
huence and the malevolent aspects Of
DGshL1l III 4uAl hWAuE- DuL lue IEeSl-
dents thought is that instead Of abolish
ing the abuses OF the convention system
the country took q long step in an expert
ment which, he makes no bones about
confessing. is disappointing to him IN
the extreme. Mr.. Harding believes any
one seriously interested in politics can
reach no other conclusion If he viii
take time TO weigh the pros and cons Of
the primary situation in the light of
actual experience.
President Harding's preference for the
convention as against the primary
springs from no selfish inspiration or
from any personal disappointment He
came to the United States in 1915 as the
first nominee Of his party under the Ohio
State primary law. It IS significant, that
political leaders in Ohio are considering
a modification Of the existing primary
system, somewhat on the lines along
which progress has bten made in New
York State. 1t is being suggested IN
Ohio that conventions delegates, selected
under the primary law. shall have the
right to name candidates for county and
State offices. The proposal would not
obliterate the primary, as It now oper-
ates, but It would. in the Judgment Of It's
supporters. ameliorate Objectionable fea-
tures.-Copyright 1922, by Public Ledger
Company.