The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-04-25
Forming Party Opinion
tNew York Times)

tNew York Times)
 In the several States the laws provide varied ma chney for testing ana expressing the sentiment of political parties Most it lies readiest to the hands of members of the regular organizations. They know how to operate the appartus Party primaries, and Presidential preference primaries are to them little more than added cards with which to play the old political game In any contest they start out with an initial advantage
 This is not so wrong and unfair some would make it out to be. If to have government by political parties in this country it is fitting that eao CTS in the various and subdivisions thereof should be facilitated discovering and directing party opn- ion This was fully explained by MT Hughes when he was Governor of New York and urging a law for party primaries in this State He frankly admitted that, as general rule the established party authorities would find it easy to confirm and strengthen their control through primary elections. At the same time, as Governor Hughes pointed out means were provided the law by which revolt within the party If strong enough could overthrow the old leadership and set up one. Such revolution within the party means hard work and takes time and money to be success full partial revolt of that kind was attempted with in the Republican party last Thursday but failed petey to make use of the Primary Law to out vote the leaders
 good deal of this political machinery is combrous sometimes appears utterly needless and has unques- tonaby disappointed the hopes of the reformers who the troubles to which President Roosevelt has been put got it authorized by statute. Consider for example by the party primary laws. His renominaon is con- ceded by everybody be absolutely certain and ought not to require him that he lift finger Yet he has been compelled to make application in several States for the recording of his candidacy on the official bal lot with full list of his petitioners designated dele gates etc. There Republican States and districts which the superfluity of the Primary Laws is equally apparent Mere routine steps, they have to be taken nevertheless
 Primaries have mainly to do with nominations for office In that respect this years Presidential com paign presents to the Republican party situation which is rather novel for it. For many years in suc- cesson the Republican nomination for the Presidency good as an election. That made party fights in the national convention prolonged and bitter was the case 1920 doubtful result up to the very last minute as happened 1928 But in 1886 the party leaders are not so keen in working for given nomina ton They thinking much more of the election to follow They are quite aware that certain kind of nomination on a certain kind of platform, would be worth no one seeking or having. The consequence that the primary contests this year are apt to be rather sprtess with all the emphasis of the campaign thrown forward to June when it will be necessary to nominate some candidate whom the party believes to have a chance of being elected
 Meanwhile, political students may devote them- selves the observation of party opinion in the pro- cess of formation It should prove for many fascin- ating study in mass mentality. No one can now say that the Republican party whole has a fixed choice for Presidential candidate. How does the con- victon spread from man to another, from one State to another that the party needs and hopes may best be met by given man? The answer is not to be found in routine propaganda It is not given by party managers speakers by the thick and thin Re- publican newspapers They contribute something to the
 final creation of party opinion, but it remains deeper thing, part of the subconscious mind, an element o public psychology, It sometimes appears to resemble telepathy if judgments arrived at by individuals in one State mysteriousy communicated without any visible means to important party personages in ar1- other The certain thing at present is that the senti ment of Republican voters in this country is still with out form and void. To watch it taking shape during the next two months will be engaging occupation fol