Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-07-28
For the Weekly Graphic.
THAT PRIMARY ELECTION.

convention was very iuil one, huJ ne
proceedings were brle'.
This calls tc mind the scene of ten
years ago in lat same district when
Mr.. kaSSun made his Hrs: race for the
same place. Frank W. Palmer was
the sitting member in Congress and de-
sired Il denomination. The contest
was terribly bitter and intensely per
sonal-all the means known to modern
polit zeal methods were brought into
equisi ton. including the dragging out
IF all the filth and slime that could he
manufactured out OF unfortunate per.
sonal ana domestic troubles.
The eXcltemen. ran 50 high that 1t
was decided to hold a primary election
almost every voter was brought or
came out aud the entire district was
ablaze
MIR. kasson won the race IN spite of
terrible odds: was tIiumphantly elected
at the coming election, and tc-da; he is
sole master of the field.
Mr.. Palmer, like the Arab, silently
folded his tent, stole away to Chicago
with his $4,000, and it is said sunk it
in double quick time forever out of
sight in the depths of the Inter Ocean,
and this is the onl instance | know Of
where primary election was ever held
in the State of Iowa.
Now have recited this little bit OF
of Iowa history for the purpose OF illus
trating what deem TO be the true
position upon the general subject.
This method OF holding primary
elections has no proper place IN any
sound system of American politics and
it can't by any possible means be made
useful except in cases OF unnatural en-
element and where there Is a bitter
contest between two or a small number
Of candidates.
Possibly it might be used in cities and
smaller towns where the population is
compact. but n a farming district
where voters will be compelled to travel
from ten TO fifteen miles it is not to he
thought of for moment.
The method Is clumsy, expensive and
entirely unnecessary.
twas believed that this question so
far as Adair is concerned was finally
settled two years ago, and that the
members of,he County Committee well
understood the feelings and wants Of
the people upon this subject. 1t isnow
said that on an informal ballot.a major
itv OF the Committee were in favor OF a
delegate Convention. hut that finally.
by some means change WAS made to a
primary election-much to the regret
of every republican voter with whom !
have c0nverSed.
Now desire to ask what's to become
of this drove Of candidates We have
now % or so and several townships to
be heard from; how are these men to
get a. the peop!e-it is not to besupposcd
that they a:e to leave their farms and
business anu 20 about the country soH-
citing votes on the lottery chances OF a
nomination.
If they should they would only be
laughed at | heard Of one the other
day-the boys III the harvest field said
he promised to bring them candy. the
newspapers announced that they can't
say anything for or against candidates
Now what are they to da?
Their situation reminds me otnothing
so much as lot OF bitted and gagged
spawned calico horses that 60
round and round in tho sawdust ring,
prancing to the music of the band and
the c,urk ofthe ,iingDas'e,'s wl;p
Perhaps its the crach cfNe whjp that
we have yet to heas-how is this?
And then how aie the people TO man
age this matter--how Is there to be any
harmony or concert OF action between
voters in different townships? Some
townships have several candidates
whose neighhors would he glad to vote
for all OF them, Yet they know that won t |
do As it Is, their votes if they come out |
at all will be scattered in wild confu-
sion or else they must get their cue from
some source not publicly announced.
All PARTIES admit that unless the peo-
pie will turn out, the result is likely to |
be failure.
No, gentlemen the cart Is bet ore the
horse-it is time enough to vote after
nominations are made Il an unnstruct-
ed delegate convention like the one OF |
two wears ago can't make ticket that .
can be elected, then no ordinary party /
machinery can do ii.
Gentlemen may as well understand |
first as last. that a ticket nominated by /
a sMaH ot'D~iity rate will be handicap
ped for the race
1t may be sand that it Is too late to
make chanee-this is not 50 the 18th /
of August primaries could be easily .