Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-01-14
Bl q. GOULD LINCOLN.
the medium of presi-
Dental preferential primary

HROUGH the medium or preSl-
Dental preferential primary
laws in the various states, the
progressives hope to be able
to control the next republican ma
tional convention and to nominate
progressive on the republican ticket
for President
This is true also, in a measure, of
the progressive wing of the demo-
cratic party. But in the past there
has been no such pronounced de-
1narkation between conservatives and
progressives in the democratic ranks
a in the republican. The interest in
the fight for progressive control.
therefore, centers largely in the re-
publican field of action.
Advocates Direct Primary.
The new progressive bloc in Con-
gress-which by the way is composed
OF both republicans. and democrats
has announced campaign in the in
terest of the direct primary to select
nominees for President, Vice Presi-
dent and members of Congress. And
the progressive group outside Of
Congress also is working on the mat
ter vigorously.
The elections held last November,
undoubtedly. have been a vast en-
couragenent to the progressives. The
success of Brookhart in Iowa. Ship
stead in Minnesota, Howell in Ne
braska, Wheeler in Montana, all new
men elected to the Senate. is con-
sidered OF the greatest significance.
The huge majoTities rolled up by La
Toilette in Wisconsin and Hiram
Johnson in California in the cleo
tons, also have heartened the pro-
greSsiveS.
Seventeen Primary Laws.
At present seventeen OF the states
have good, medium or Indifferent primary
laws for the selection of delegates to
the national conventions. These states
and the number Of delegates to which
they were entitled in the last republic
can national convention are as follows:
California twenty-six; Illinois. fifty
eight: Indiana, thirty: Maryland, six
teen; Massachusetts, thirty-fve; Michi-
gan. thirty: Montana, eight: Nebraska,
sixteen North Dakota, ten ; new Jersey,
twenty weight; North Carolina. twenty
two; Ohio forty-eight; Oregon. ten;
Pennsylvania, seventy-six: South Da-
kota, ten; West Virginia. sixteen, and
Wisconsin, twenty-six. The total num-
Der of delegates to be selected from
these states is 465. The republican ma
tional convention is made up of 9S4
delegates, each with a vote. Necessary
to select a Presidential nominee is a
majority, or 493.
Manifestly, the progressiyes, even If
they carried the primary elections in
all the seventeen states now having
presidential preferential primaries Of
one kind or another, would not control a
majority of the delegates. But this
winter the legislatures are meeting in
at least nine OF the other states where
the progressives will make strenuous
efforts TO bring about the enactment of
model Presidential preferential primary
laws.
Where Fight VIII Be Made.
These states and the number of dele
gates allotted them are: New York,
lightweight; Minnesota, twenty-four;
Iowa, twenty-six; Missouri, thirty-six;
Kansas. twenty; Oklahoma, twenty
Colorado, twelve; Idaho. eight, and
Washington fourteen. The total num-
Der of delegates from these states to
republican convention will be 24s. Add
this number to the 465 Of the states
already having some kind of a primary
Jaw, and you have grand total Of 713,
pr far more than majority.
To each one of these state legislatures
the progressives will send representa- |
Sives who will 20 their utmost to have
primary laws put through. 1t is be- |
lieved that they will be successful in a |
number of states.
II the progressive wing of the rel
publican party is able to dominate
the national convention through the |
selection OF delegates in primary
elections, instructed delegates, what |
will be the chances of the old guard
dominating a presidential candidate?
I'm progressive quarters, it is frankly
declared that the old guard won't
nave look in. What will be the eff
feet upon the chances of President
Harding, il he decides to become a
candidate for re-nomination-as now
seems probable.