The Washington times., 1929-07-23
BOMB CAST
BYVA DRY
LEADER

CONSERVATION has been cre-
ated in Virginia political cir
eles by a statement issued by
the Rev. David Hepburn, super
intendent Of The Anti Saloon
League of Virginia, in which
he tells the people Of Virginia
to vote in the Democratic pri-
mary Of August s, and then
ignore the nominee if not sat
isfied.
Hepbu. was bitter in his opposi.
tion OF Smith last fall, and was
Bishop Cannon,s right hand man,
but asserts that up until the last
Presidential election he always has
supported the Democratic nomin e
for every office.
All Precedents Broken
This statement by Hepburn is with.
out precedent in Virginia, Democratic
leaders declare, because 1t has always
been a matter of being honor bound
to support the nominee IL one cnters
the primary. Hepburn calls upon
every Virginia Democrat to enter
the primary and to support whom
ever they wish in the general
election
This statement came as q surprise
to the politicians in Virginia. as
Hepburn they said, had stated he
would remain out OF the primary
and have nothing to do with 1t. This
Ii his first formal statement with
reference to participation in the
primary, and Is as follows:
There are 100 members Of the
legislature to be elected this year.
There are about 140 candidates for
the same. There are also four State
senators be- elected There are
great many local officials, such as
rommonwealtE's attorneys, clerks OF
courts, treasurers Of cities. justices
Of the peace, etc.
All Entitled to Vote
'sIt is natural, therefore, that
citizens who are as much interested
In the legislature and administrative
departmenfs Of government as In
the executive should desire to know
what are the privileges and obliga-
items involved by one who par
tieipates in the primary on August
s, 1929.
sThe state primary law and the
Interpretation thereof by the attor.
new general entities every Demo
crat. who is otherwise qualified to-
participate in the primary without
question. no matter for whom ne
voted in the presidential election OF
a92S.
'.The decision of Judge Groner
n the Federal Court that the Demo
cratic primary is unconstitutional
absolves a citizen from any legal
obligation to support the nominees
of an unconstitutional primary in
the general election.
Voters participating in the pri-
mary are merely expressing theii
preference. The fact that the pfi.
mary is not conducted by and at
the expense of the party, but at
the expense OF the State out Of the
general fund, the same as in the
general election. absoIves q citizen
Of any moral obligation to vote for
the nominees of the primary
Assumes No Obligation
ait seems to us to be clear that
any Democratic citizen. regardless
! OF his vote in the Presidential cleo
tion, can enter the primary and
vote for any candidate for any OF
flee and scratch out those for whom
he does not desire to vote except
IN the case where the district is
entitled to more than one represen.
tativ in the general assembly.
HIn that event, citizen must
vote for as many candidates for the
general assembly as the district is
entitled to for his ballot to be valid.
He will then be free to vote for the
nonoinee Of the Democratic primary
or for the anti-Smith-R Republic
candidate. or any other candidate
far any office on the ticket in the
general election in November.