Studies in American History 
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the evils of plurality nominations have been experienced only 
to a slight degree under the primary. Should circumstances, 
however, greatly increase the number of contestants in the 
primaries, the number of plurality nominations would un- 
doubtedly increase. 
The answer to the fourth question is largely a matter of 
opinion. If political news in the daily press and the evidence 
given by the candidates themselves may be relied on, it is only 
rarely that bitter personalities among candidates in a pri- 
mary have been indulged in. The candidate defeated in the 
primary almost invariably lends his hearty support in the 
election campaign to his successful opponent. The support 
given to Governor Ralph Brewster, the successful candidate 
in the 1924 primaries, by Hon. Frank Farrington, the de- 
feated candidate, after a most strenuous primary campaign 
and a long-drawn-out contest before the governor and coun- 
cil, is a striking example. In fact, a study of the newspapers 
reveals fewer political feuds in the party in recent years than 
appeared in the period from 1900 to 1912 when “ring’' and 
“anti-ring” were often struggling to control the party nomi- 
nating conventions. 
The pre-primary state conventions, provided for by the pri- 
mary law, aid in bringing the party leaders and delegates to- 
gether for conference and discussion. There is a widespread 
feeling, however, that the lack of a county convention is a 
handicap to the party organization in the county. There is 
a widespread conviction also that some means of affording 
closer cooperation between the various party committees and 
organizations in the county would strengthen the party organ- 
ization and promote harmony. The county committee bears the 
responsibility of conducting a vigorous campaign for the elec- 
tion of the party nominees. At times it is handicapped in so 
doing because there has been no getting together and coopera- 
tion in bringing forward party candidates for the primaries. 
In some counties the county committee uses its “good offices” 
to make the adjustments for the primary necessary for party 
harmony in the campaign, while in other counties the commit- 
tee hardly dares to takes an open part in the primaries, since 
at times the cry that the committee is opposed to a given candi- 
date strengthens his chances for the nomination. Probably 
the party committee, and the party voters, both, should share 
a part of the blame when such a feeling of distrust disturbs 
