Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-08
Ex-Secretary of Navy Points
Out Evils of System-Says
avorite Son" Plan De-
feats Purpose of Primary

NEW YORK, July 5.-Are ma
tional conventions to continue? Or
will some other way be found to
name candidates for president and
vice president and formulate party
platforms? The cold-storage per
Torrance at Cleveland and the fer
vid one at New York causes many
thoughtful people to wonder if some
better plan cannot be devised.
Without any legislation, we have
completely changed the plan of the
founders of the country as to the
method of electing a president. They
would have been Mortified TALL of
them but Jefferson and he might
have had serious moments), if they
could have foreseen the 1924 swell
tering throngs trying to nominate a
candidate by tumlltuous shouting
and marching and counter-marching
Their idea was a solemn and state
ly and dignified proceeding, in a
small room, where the president
would be chosen by the members of
the electoral college. A referendum
to the people or a perspiring multi
tude had no place in their thoughts.
But it wasn't long before con-
gressmen decided to take a hand
and they began to present candi-
dates and to give little power to
the members of the electoral col
lege. After a while, the people asked:
"Why shouldn't we take a hand? Is
this not a government by the peo-
ple?" And then national ConVen-
tons came into existence and the
electoral college became an adding
machine
Primary Rule Evaded
Are national conventions likely to
be superseded by some other meth
Cd of nominating as the electoral
college has been permitted merely
to retain it's shell?
Recently, feeling that delegates
| did not always represent the views
of their constituents, the reformers
| should be named in a statewide
! primary, and delegates sent to car
ry out the mandate Of the people.
They believed it would result in nom.
ination by the popular vote. The
most ardent advocate of a primary
has been disappointed in its prac-
! teal operation in regard to national
conventions. The question Of candi-
| dates and measures is so often far
removed from popular understand
! ing, and the feeling of inability to
make their action effective, that the
people let the primary go by de-
fault.
Even when they expressed them
selves in the various states, there
was no decision because of differ.
ing views and the growth of favor
lite son delegations. Often 1.-The favor
L.. ! ,
a choice by the people. and leave
the delegation free to be voted by
the delegates, sometimes hand
picked. The 'favorite son" method
Of defeating the primary has been
seized upon by the bosses who wish
ed to get on the band-wagon, and
not be tied UP in the doubtful for
tunes Of the leading contenders for
the nomination.
Is there any way to get direct
vote? Any way to make the con
vention responsive?
Would End Contributions
"The thing to do" said a ma
tional committeeman, lis to hold
conventions in halls holding 2,50C
or 5000 people, let the people hear
by radio, and cut out all the noise
and confusion" Do you think ii
would work?
II am in favor" said another
'of selling all the visitors seats tc
the highest bidders and realizing
enough money in that way TO make
campaign contributions unnecessary
Why not? At New York each per
son who was assigned box made
a contribution of $1,000 t. pay the
debt of the committee. Why not ex
tend that idea and sell all the
tickets? Then make it crimina
offense for anybody to contribute te
campaign expenses" Now what dc
yo uthink of that?
There is no doubt, however, thai
the trouble about securing direct
control by the people in nomina
tons and elections through the col
lege is adding 10 the movement in
favor OF abolishing the eieStora
college and voting direct for a pres