Evening star., 1924-07-20

One OF the results of the recent
record breaking Democratic national
convention has been a decided impetus
to the movement for the direct nomf-
nation of candidates for the Presi-
dency and Vice Presidency. The ques-
ton is certain to be raised at the next
session of Congress and to be given
more serious consideration than 1t has
ever before received.
1t Is possible that the country has
witnessed it's last great convention
contest over the selection of a ma
tional ticket.
Before such a change can be brought
about that presidential nominees Will
be chosen in a direct, nationwide pri-
mary it will be necessary to have a
constitutional amendment adopted.
That is necessarily a slow process.
However, with a formidable public
sentiment demanding the change the
necessary steps can be taken in less
than four years.
Democratic leaders who went
through the stormy sessions IN Ma0i-
son Square Garden are practically
unanimous in saying that they never
want to undergo such an experience
again. 1t is too much wear and tear
on physical strength, too nerve-rack-
ing, and too hard on the pocketbook.
Nor do they ever want to see their
party again subjected to such an or
deal 1t breeds factionalism, engen-
ders bitternesses not soon to be for
gotten and leaves wounds that may
never be healed. Indeed. some Of the
leaders say frankly that with another
such convention there probably would
not be any Democratic party left. and
that it will be fortunate to survive
this one. They do not make such
statements openly, for they do not
possible disastrous consequences of
this recent convention, but they do
not disguise the fact that they are in
terested in the direct nomination idea.
So long as there are conventions to
select candidates, Just that long there
liar to or even worse than the one
Just fought out in New York. Having
all national delegates selected by d.
rect primary would not obviate this
possibility, for 1T is not to be expected
that any candidate could capture a
the end the convention would have to
make the choice.
How 1t Would Work.
With an amendment to the Federal
Constitution authorizing it to do SO,
Congress could pass a law providing
for a presidential primary. Such a
law, presumably, would provide that
a candidates name would go on the
ballot by petition. with . requirement
that the petition must have the sig
natures of a substantial percentage
of the vote cast by the candidate's
party at the last preceding election.
This would guard against a multi
preciable popular strength. Then
with all parties voting on the same
day and at the same places. the can
didate receiving a majority of the to-
tai vote cast by his party would un-
ouestionably be the choice of the
rank and file of his party and he
could not be jobbed out Of the nomi
nation through the manipulations OF
bosses and powerful interests that
frequently control conventions.
Opponents of the primary idea point
out. however, that with q number OF
candidates in the field no one Of them
would be likely to receive q majority
of the total vote. II the nomination
went TO the one receiving the largest
number of votes-a plurality-the re-
suit might be the selection of a man
who was in reality the choice of a
relatively small minority of his party.
For example, with a total party vote
OF, say, twenty million, ten candi-
dates might so divide that vote that a
man receiving barely fraction over
two million would have q plurality.
Advocates Of the primary Ansves