Evening star., 1922-02-27
Convention Versus Primary.

Because present conditions are 50
favorable to a reaction in this
particular" the Springfield Republi-
can Independently thinks President
Hardings stand for a return to
rarty conventions instead Of nominat-
ing primaries may start some
thing" and a number Of editorial
writer's agree that a stimulus may
be given to the dissatisfaction with
the primary system that may result
in a political issue. There has been
strong undercurrent in republican
circles favorable to a return to the
toona Mirror independently proph-
estes that party leaders who "have
never cared to come out In the
open for the reason that they reared
the electorate might rise up and
smite them" will now take courage
from the Presidents remarks in
recent speech in Washington.
1t might BE- suggested. the
indianapolis .,s, News .G,ns Gndepsndenhn emo h.
disrespectful," that Mr.. Harding is
not wholly unprejudiced in the matter
Of conventions and primaries for 1t
recalls that in the 1920 campaign the
primaries spoke with ono voice, and
It was not for him, and the oonven-
convention that controlled" But
conceding that the expression OF
"alleged popular preference" was
ignored in the republican convention.
the Butte Post (republican) points
anywhere that the national conven-
ton made a mistake when 1t
.Sminated. Harding" and the Harris
burg Telegraph (republican) Is sure
that the Presidents view will have
large support among those VINO ,,s nave
reform in nomination Of candidates
IT Under % this "free-for-all method"
the Telegraph continues, the frequent
result "is the nomination OF utterly
and are placed upon party tickets;
further, It Invites extravagant use
of money and gives place to the rich
man in politics as against the poor
man who may in every way be better
qualified for the public service. .eAa.e1 Aa.eT
years, the Cleveland Plain Dealer On
dependent democratic) arrives at the
conclusion that 1.-The direct primary
does not live up to its advance
notices. 1t does not give US aoier pier
public officials. It mas not not mat1l'1 M,th Thy
Teleeraph. the Plain Dealer flnds it
.'practicaliy impossible for person
without means to seek nomination
in any closely contested state or
district" Therefore. it believes s odn ane
sidering by both parties, because
merely standing pat on the primary
will get US nowhere.
The Presidents preference for party
conventions is merely a phase OF the
political philosophy ne tntd has aavanSsa
the Springfield Union (republican)
and the best minds. in the "col-
lective vision" of the party as greater
than that a, cf Hs :sit,0e
plan can't bring the best minds
back" to Congress, the Newark News
independently asserts.
The primary is mot q perfect piece
of political machinery but, granting
an that has BEEN pr0xsa sgadsa fdemo
cratic) still holds, with many other
writer's, that at is by no means
demonstrated that the primary should
be discarded" at least, "it has given
to the people the power to act IN IN
their own behalf whenever tney ne, Gee
primary "is q good tool" the Ohio
State Journal columbus, republican,
declares, "even If its use thus ssfas far
who own it and perverted by those
who adapt i t9 e. their snanoks oTa s1as T1mss
1dsmncraticl. that popular indiffer-
snce" Is chiefly responsible for the
limited success Of the system.
Certainly there is doubtful cure IN
the Presidents proposed remedy. the
Intelligent" declaration Of q party
ain national convention. expressing
the oonsciencs Of it's membership In
conventions" . faith
which the Indianapolis News (tnde-
pendent) finds touching" since we
have had 80 many con conventions s,.sn that
ers to conscience, and quite uptainted
by intelligence The N.Y. York hexsysr Eysn.
snsrests that BY the change Of the
word intsllissnt. -,t;.,, sG h0Rss nS,sa.opSs we
OF politics" but II feels that conven-
tfons have way Of being moro In
The Kansas CITY star warns that
.President Harding wili find sharp