Removable Obstacles to the Success of the Direct Primary

DURING the past two years the direct primary has again survived an assault none the less threatening because the deed was planned and was being executed in secret. Some reformers and practically all politicians were dissatisfied with it, and the reaction following the war seemed an opportunity to revert to the convention system. So it came about that beginning in 1919, but more particularly in 1920 and 1921, a number of primary repeal bills were introduced in state legislatures. These were unsuccessful with the exception of New York, which returned to the convention system for the nomination of all officials elected on a statewide ticket. Again in 1922 definite plans were under way to re-introduce the convention in a number of states when the legislatures meet in 1923.1 It is yet too early to know whether such plans will be carried out. The conspicuous success of insurgent candidates in the primaries of Iowa, Indiana and Pennsylvania, plus the results of the November elections, indicates that this winter will not be the opportune time to start a successful raid. The League of Women Voters can always be relied upon to defend the direct primary with energy. They reason, and not without justification, that a device opposed by so many professional politicians may not be without profit

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