Evening journal., 1923-01-27
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1928
SENATOR pA11,s STAND MEETS WITH AppRovAI.


CINcE we published in The Evening Journal Janu-
- ary the full the address the perils OF
direct primaries that delivered by United States
Senator L. Heisler Ball. Delaware. the banquet in
Philadelphia. January 10, Of the Military order of
Foreign that address been read and digested
by thousands Deawareans In all three counties it
evoked much favorable that has not been
restricted by any to men and women who are
affiliated with the Republican party.
1t will be recalled that in course his address
Senator Ball
Il have absolute confidence in the integrity wis
dom OF the majority of the American people and If
direct primary enabled the majority of party to
nominate their candidates would be an advocate Of
and Loyalty support that method of making nomina-
tions But in practice find the majority of the
party is generally defeated, and that minority makes
these nominations If there were but two candidates
for particular Office then the other OF course
would receive that majority. but in practice We find
there generally many more than two candidates,
and frequently the man receiving the plurality, and
thus the nomination, will not receive than
third or onefourth OF the total vote We hnd further
that the loyal party supporters the people who be-
leve in the principles adopted by that party it's
tional convention and for which stood
divide their vote among three four candidates
representing the party principles while probably
candidate protesting 10 be a Republican or a Democrat
but whose principles differ from either party. will
celve the solid support of class which frequently is
sufficient TO make the nomination any of the true
loyal Thus the will of the majority is defeated
and the minority representative becomes the candidate
IF ths were not government by parties probably
this would not be so serious matter but hrmy be-
eve that in our government II its success certainly II
efficient functioning, depends upon parties d
rect primary have described destroys the power
of parties legisate and permits few by combna
ton with the minority party TO either defeat legislation
entirely prevent the carrying of the policies
for which that party stands pledged and for which
the people at the previous election gave their vote
This general dissatisfaction and party Is
charged with using platform pledges only
when in reality the party is probably conscientious
and loyal TO its principles but utterly helpless when
comes TO vote those principles In proper legislation II
nafiO 10 In he NJ
party vouehing for their acts-with nobody with
future depending upon the result Of his acsthen the
direct primary probably may work the ends that
its advocates claim for IT, but II TO depend
party and hold the party power respon-
sble for its acts. thus making the parys future
pendent upon the carrying out OF those acts then In
Judgment the get back to the convention
be as was intended government by parties and the
party in power able TO legsate and meet the demands
of our nation"
That such an utterance meets with the hearty ap-
proval of many Delawareans, regardless Of party af
flation shown clearly by favorable comment heard
in this city and throughout the State. The Senator
added. it will be recalled his greatest objection
the direct primary it's tendency destroy parties and
party power. He claim that when a party out
lives its usefulness there is any for its being
tinued. but that that should be
placed by another party nearly representing the
sentiment of the people that time otherwise we
have permanency in our financial economic in
dustrial conditions.
Another serious objection TO the direct primary |
which the Senator advanced that it enables the
cities with their dense population always to hold the
power in making nominations thus the rural dis
tricts with their important farming interests find
themselves without the representation essential for
properly protecting their intere the vote Is
taken by the entire state certainly there Is no in
terest Of greater importance prosperity than
in the general producer OF foodstuns
Senator Ball. in concluding his address, expressed the
thought that because Of his opposition to
the direct primary and his advocacy the
system he would be called reactonary and IN ultra
conservative, but thus far have heard worth
while people only favorable comment upon the frank
attitude he has and the dspassionate intelligence
with which he has met and dealt with issue