In the long run that vote which is really useful and significant is the vote cast in the open with a full sense of conviction and responsibility.
Another popular reforming device which belongs to the same class and which will fail to accomplish the expected result is the system of direct primaries.

It may well be that this device will in the long run merely emphasize the evil which it is intended to abate.

It will tend to perpetuate the power of the professional politician by making his services still more necessary.

Under it the number of elections will be very much increased, and the amount of political business to be transacted will grow in the same proportion.

In one way or another the professional politician will transact this business; and in one way or another he will make it pay.