The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-12-11
Friday. Dec. IL, 1891.
work for Die Legislature.

Work for the Legislature.
Taxation, roads and elections reform are
three subjects which should engage the
larger part of the time of the legislature,
during its three months session next winter.
There is no one Of the three Of more inn
portance than that Of elections Our pri-H
mary or nominating methods are, like all
primary work of paramount importance.
Ifa wrong start is made there is scarcely q
possibility of correcting the evil. The
methods of the politician has been reduced
TO science and he has applied il TO the pri-
mary in such perfected way that the latter
has become of infinitely more Importance
than the election. The public demand is
for radical change in the loose primary
system. By the unlegalized system in vogue
by which candidates are chosen, the people
have been, 10 large extent, disfranchised.
The voter desires 10 have his full share in
choosing the candidates he is called on to
elect, and he feels that he has but a very
small part in this most important matter.
ibis reform can only be brought about by
rescuing the primary from the hands Of the
unauthorized and irresponsible mob in
whose hands it cow is, and placing it in the
control Of the people by carefully consid-
cred primary elections law. The Australian
ballot has opened the way for this reform,
and there would be no difficulty in applying
this system 10 the primary with the best
results. The choice of the candidates Of
every and all parties should be the free, in
dependent choice Of the people. This ac-
complished the fault finding with the tick
els placed in nomination would cease. As
matters now stand there is widespread dis
satisfaction with the candidates placed in
nomination, and they are denounced by
those of their own party as roundly, if not
more SO, than by the opposite party.
This can all be changed, and the best
men for candidates placed in nomination by
adopting primary elections system some
thing after this plan. Let the legislature
pass carefully drawn law requiring candi-
dates 10 be nominated by all parties on
day named in the law and the election con-
Quoted in the same manner that the election
is, for the choice of officers. The names of
candidates seeking nominations to be placed
on the same ballot arranged under their
party heads. In order to prepare proper
ballots the names of aspirants for Office, or
such as friends wish placed in nomination TO
be published sufficient length OF lime be-
fore the nominating election to allow the pub
lie to become acquainted with their fitness
for the Office sought. The details restricting
the number that would be allowable OH The
ticket is matter for consideration. This
number should be ample 10 choose from,
but overlooking the ticket with superAu-
Gus number would have 10 be guarded
against. The expense of the primary cleo
lion is also detail that would be provided
for in preparing the bill. The duty of the
Judges Of the primaries would be similar to
those Of the election for officers. The votes
of The several districts counted by the judges
at the county seat would determine the
nominees of each party. Such candidates
would be the untrammeled and free choice
Of the people. The tickets would be Salts
factory TO their parties. The choice Of
candidates would, under such system be
the choice Of their party aud we venture the
prediction they would in the main be oil
the very best men in the country. Many Of
the candidates who get on the tickets
through the trades among and between
bosses, which under the ANTICIPATED system
which at present affiic,s popular elections.
would never be thought Of. Ifthere Is any
such phenomena possible as reforming a
party within the party. a legalized system
ofprimary election under the Australian
ballot would make near approach to II al
least. We can never get the best men on
the tickets by the old primary nominating
method but il is not difficult to get some Of
the very worst. If Mr.. Writ will champion
movement for legalized primaries next
winter he will deserve well of not only his
Cecil constituents but OF the people Of the
entire State.