Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-20
The DIRECT PRIMARY

T.. Bass in her communication pub
lished elswhere.
The advocates Of the direct prima-
ry expected quite number OF
achievements through the direct prl-
mary. II one will but refresh recollec-
ton 10 recall what was then said. 1t
Is now proposed TO have the people
say whether they approve the re-
suits.
At the recent primaries in this
congressional district notwithstand-
ing an exciting contest between two
OF the candidates the total vote cast
was 2O.6O4 whereas this district at
the congressional election in 1920 cast
5o,so9 votes. Shall we conclude from
this that the primaries bring out
fair representation of the voters?
And IL they do not bring out a repre-
sentative vote n what way are they
superior in that respect to the old
time caucus, which all voters were
privileged 10 attend and where II
they chose, they could have voice
in selecting those to represent them?
The caucus afforded an opportuni-
" for all to say whom they wished to
have represent them in selecting Of
to
dldate preferred. The primary af-
fords them an opportunity TO choose
the officials. Have we had any bet
ter officials? Wasn't Penrose able to
retain control Of political affairs in
direct primary? Wasn't Newberry
chosen under the primary? Bcv-
eridge once went to the Senate be-
fore the primaries were adopted and
there is nothing to prove that he
might not have done so again un-
der tho same system. Saying that
he couldn't doesn't make it so. In
tho DAYS of the caucus independents
did overcome those in control of the
party organization. They could again.
Those who were successful in party
leadership over any considerable pc
Rod were compelled to select good
officials in an intelligent electorate.
There is no reason to suppose that an
unintclligont electorate would select
good officials through the primary.
This discussion might be carried to
great length in the way Of COMPARE
sons and consideration of results.
But aside from the fact that the di-
rect primaries give cities advantage
over tho country. give the rich candi-
date the advantage over the one with
limited means, give the glib talller
with plenty Of time to go about talk
ing 20 folks a better chance than to
the man who for any reason is I'M
able 10 do this. aside from the great
expense imposed by the primary pro-
Visions, aside from any OF these inc
qualities or iniustiCcs there is
fundamental question involved, one
that has got TO he answered, de-
Cided departure from the principle
approved by the founders of the Re-
public, the principle under which it
has become what it is. They be-
liovcd that in local matters with
which all are supposed TO have in
formation tho pure democracy as
represented in tho townmeetng was
desirable. They were right. The in
fucnco there excrted and the results
50 obtained have proved a crowning
glory 20 tho wisdom of the founders
Eut with regard TO matters outside
the immediate knowledge of the cleo
torate It was deemed best to have q
representative government. to have
the electorate choose from among
those in whom they had for any rea-
son come 20 place confidence. men
with wider acquaintance and possibly
some training in public affairs, rep
rosentativcs. who should act for
them. act more effectively and wisely,
II was thought, than the electorate
under the conditions.
So 4 was we inherited representa-
tive government: so 1t was that polit-
ical parties came into existence, were
held responsible for results. Those
parties TO exist had to have organiza-
ton. To that the representative had
10 make report. as also to the electo-
rate: with that he could have a clear
er understanding than is humanity
possible with electorate.
Under such conditions we have
impressed the world as having the
greatest government on earth. Now
under the primary the party organi-
cation is dying from inanition. The
representative doesn't have to give
heed TO its counsels. he is thinking
ot the crowd back in his district.
Instead OF feeling compelled to salts
~ the seasoned judgment of party
organization he is trying to
please the snap judgment of the
crowd Instead of looking to the