The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-02-22
llrn,llArisn rlllmAnlfa-

Dtrna the houy contested race Tor III
democratic congressional nomination III
This dislrlr, last summer, the attention Of
tho public was directed 10 the un'aisIac'
tory manner In which ward and clyil OH"
ttot primaries were held. There were
complaints and charges Of fraud on holh
sides in the canvass referred to, and nearly
everyone who was u witness of the manner
Of conducting the primaries, was impressed
with the opportunities Observation-Disclosures
without number for imposing upon 'he
public and obtaining undue advantages by
yhrewd but questionable styles oil manlpu'
lation. We took advantage OF the interest
at that time aroused to call attention to
the subject through these columns,
regretted that the matter stood as II dlu
and suggested that some course should ne
adopted that would render such primaries
freer from the suspicious of fraud and less
the avenues through which the popula'
preference might be negatived. Complaints
of the same character as those heard in tins
section have been heard everywhere iol
some years past, but the people.do not, aitei
the excitement of the time has subsidized
seem TO think further upon the SUBJECT
At last however, we are able to note the
evidence of a practical step in the direction
of correction. A bill has been introduced
into the legislature of Illinois looking tc
the regulation by statute, OF WARD
caucuses and primary elections
Some Of the Illinois papers
r;dcule the measure, but it is certainly
one worthy of legislative attention. THESE
primaries have become such important fac
tors in determining who shall fill the places
of profit, responsibility and honor IN The
various commonwealth, second only IL
! importance to the regular elections which
are governed in all their details by statu
tory enactments and safeguards, that 1t Il
certainly permissible and proper for the
I states to take them in hand. This is par
ticularly so, where as in Texas, nomina-
ton or selection by primary election Is
equivalent to putting the man into the
office for which he 10 candidate. In the
primaries, indeed, the official is virtually
elected. The regular election afterwards
amounts to no more than a ratification
of the primary. If it is 81 consequence
then to the state and nation that officials
should be fairly and honestly chosen. it is
high time, indeed, that attention were
given in the legislative halls TO the manner
orholding primaries. Now, that our own
law making body is in session, is good
time to direct anew the public interest to
the matter. The evils complained OF could
be easily corrected by prescribing in PLAIN
and simple terms who would be quailiied
to vote in such cases, and fixing penalty
foT illegal voting or participation in such
elections. A man either has or has not
riaht to interfere in these primaries, and IL
would not be amiss or any encroachment
upon individual liberty and the rights OF
citizenship to define the right and PUNISH
those who without it attempt TO interfere
with or negative its exercise in Others we
should like to see some OF our practical
legislators turn their attention 20 the mat
ter.