OCR Text |
Show PRIMARY ELECTION LAWS. A reform which has already occupied a prominent promi-nent place in the political history of the country and which will in all likelihood reecive a boost or a decided setback by the action of the legislatures of the various states this winter is that known as the primary election law. Whatever action a majority ma-jority of the legislatures of the states may take in this matter will probably determine the immediate future of this system of choosing our state, county and municipal officers. The popular primary election got its start in the south, where for a number of years a nomination on the Democratic ticket for any office has been equivalent to an election. This supremacy of J the Democracy has amounted virtually to a monopoly, and in order to give the people their constitutional rights some such scheme as the primary election was necessary. , In the northern states, however, there are quite a number which change their political polit-ical complexion or are considered in doubt every year there is a general election. Therefore, the primary election has not been generally adopted in the north. It has been possible to stir up sufficient suffi-cient partisanship in the northern states to make the election a fight, and to bring out a more or less satisfactory test of public opinion. Nevertheless, the idea contained in the primary election scheme has taken hold of public opinion to an extent, and such laws are on the statute books of several northern states at the present time, and agitation has been carried on in others which will result in the defeat or the adoption of the scheme by the legislatures this winter. It may 4 mini n.uj umi. mi i -.- ZZ? wwwpuwitoiii f 1 1 be that the tendency of the northern states to grow more certainly Republican has had to do with the growing sentiment in favor of this system of primary pri-mary elections, but however that may be, the demand de-mand of the American people seems to be a fight for the offices, and if they can't have a fight in which there is a chance for anybody to win along party lines, they want a fight within the party. That seems to be the chief thing accomplished fo' far by the operation of the law in states where it has been adopted. This condition, of course, leads to much criticism among the politicians. Especially Espe-cially is this true where the best-laid plans of the politicians have been upset by the popular will as expressed at the polls. Take Oregon, for instance. In that state, where they have a primary election law, it is necessary for the legislature, if the members mem-bers carry out their ante-election pledges, to elect, a United States senator of opposite political belief and convictions from a majority of the members. While this condition is not admired by the politicians, politi-cians, and the whole system has been condemned as working against party regularity and party fealty, the plan is being seriously considered by other states. The general idea of the primary election law of Oregon and the south is to give to the people the privilege of selecting their public servants to bring the nominations closer to the people. Whether Wheth-er the law does that is a question which experience can tell better than any other thing. The idea seems to be growing in favor. |