Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-07-08
Primary Elections.

We are unable to see any control
ing objection to this method Of nomi-
naiing township, county, State and
National officers. We regard it as the
only fair and honest manner of ascer-
tanning the voice OF the people. 1t is
universally known, and almost univer
sally admitted, that by this caucus sys-
ten the voice of the people does not
get expression, as few office seekers
and caucus manipulators can, and often
do. control all nominations. 1t is very
true that if the people, as a whole, rise
up in their majesty, as they have done
in few notable instances, they can
take control of caucusscs and thus
make or unmakc officers But. to do
so, requires degree of concert in their
actions which they do not often obtain.
The people should possess more sim.
pie and economical system of giving
voice to their wishes. This system.
the most simple, economical and just,
exists IN the Primary Election System,
which, with a degree of certainty and
simplicity so desirable, enables the in
dlvidual voter to register his prefer
ence in such a manner that it will
amount to something.
We give the mode Of procedure
for the benefit of those who may not
be familiar with its details:
The County Committee designates
a certain day on which all the men,
bers of the party may hold an election
in the voting precincts of the county
The Committee appoints the judges of
election, whose duty shall be to attend
at the polls, at the time designated,
and receive the ballots of all members
OF the party who are entitled to vote
in that precinct or who will be SO en-
titled at the coming election. After
the closing Of the polls, the said Judg-
IS of election count the votes and
certify up to the County Committee
the result, in detail and the County
Committee then canvasses the returns
Tor the whole County and announces
the persons who have received the
highest number of voter for such Of
fees. Such persons then become the
nominees of the party.
The principle of this sye:em is the
same as partalns to an ordinary cleo
ton, and the choice of each individual
voter is allowed due weight in the
general result, and this choice the
voter may express in secret if he so
desires.
vi course the Committee should an
nounce the day of election a sufficient
length of time to ensure its being fully
understood by all. Especially is it i'm
portant that the Committee should ap.
point honest and capable men to SUI
pervise the balloting SO as to render
the returns as accurate as possible.
vi course, while men are human and
are actnated by passion, prejudice and
interest, there can be no system de-
vised which cannot be abused, but we
apprehcnd that no one can find in tho
Urinary system an opening for fraud,
which cannot be found three-fold in
extent and frequency IN the old caucus
system.
we do not know that the present
county Central Republican Commit
tccare disposed to try this system in the
ensuing nomination of county officers,
nor do we know that they feel author
lied to inaugurate it this fall. We
presume they are not SO authorized.
II not, We hope some action will be
taken in the next County Convention
20 IS 70 give it fair trial in this Coun-
~. Benton, Jasper, and other Coun-
ties of this and other States work by
IL, and with success. We should give
il trial, at least. What say you,
gentlemen?
Eorrst [r,ith ~, lao.,.,,x. xho< r,,l:.