Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1920 — PRIMARY ELECTION A FARCE [ARTICLE]

PRIMARY ELECTION A FARCE

People generally, in Indiana at least, are most thoroughly disgusted With our primary election law. Under its workings a poor man or a man in moderate circumstances is Wholly eliminated from aspiring to any high office to which there is any opposition whatever. The candidate with lots of money of his own or at his command can hire his workers, organize the precincts, county, district or state, as the case may be, and put all opposition to rout. This was evidenced in the Republican -contest for governor. Two candidates pulled out of the race because they did not have the money to buck McCray or Fosler for the nomination in the primary. Toner, who stayed in, had the least financial backing of any of the three candidates, spent much less money and, of course, made a very poor showing indeed. The primary law was intended to giver' every man, rich or poor, an opportunity to aspire to office and take the nominations of candidates

from the hands of scheming politicians and place it direct with the voters. In reality it makes it worse than it ever was under the old system of delegate conventions. It is probable that close to a half million dollars was spent In Indiana by the Republican candidates in the presidential and gubernatorial contests alone in the recent primary. The people have had enough of this primary law. The next legislature should repeal the measure and, if nothing better can be given In its place, let us go back to the old delegate convention system of nominating our candidates.