The Delta independent., 1894-08-22
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE
PRIMARIES.

There has probably never been .
campaign since Colorado became a
state so hotly contested as will be the
one now before us. 1t is not only that
the result of this election has Il great
bearing on the elections of 1896, but
the entire state seems tired of having
been dupcd by professional politicians
for 10! these many years. Reputable
citizens are tired of standing sponsor
for political parties that are in the
hands of trickStcrs. They have re-
manned quiet until the ticket was clab-
Grated, and We're expected to vote 1t
straight good or bad. There We're al
ways Il few good names on each ono
to catch the respectable vote, and If
there were any who did not like the
ticket, they would generally remain at
home on election day in supreme dis
gust and cry: "rhc parties are all cor
rupt: they are all alike. Thank heav-
en-. | have nothing to ask of them, so
l am not obliged to have anything to
do with politics." My good friend,
you are all wrong. Your sclishncss
and Indifference are arrant folly. Is it
nothing to you that your taxes are
double what they ought to be, because
the administrations have been cXtrava-
least being actual pcculation? A long
payroll to give sop to the men who
worked the primaries and conventions
is Il timc-honorcd way to spend public
moneys. If spoils is what is wanted,
do you think any one will be of an
economical turn of mind? Are not
Tnclc Sam and the taxpayer legitimate
prey: Are laws enforced? Are the
streets kept clean? Are not the city
and state frequently deprived of the
loyal, efficient services of good men
and women to make room for men and
women whose only merit consists in
being capable of pushing some politi-
cal scheme. no matter how question
able. to success? Success Is surely
what each party is striving for, but
let us have n little faith in human ma
ture and believe that success may be
legitimate, and that there are in our
state and country enough honest and
diSintcrcsted people. that is. those not
after spoils. TO insure success to those
who stand for principle and for good,
clean government. If these good people
will come out and attend their prima-
ries. The duty of good citizenship
cannot be too strongly urged in this
connection.
lou llllN kloN W III soul hiotii't
committeeman are. but you can always
find them out through the chairman
of your county central committee. BE
sure that there is woman on every
precinct committee, and it is best that
she be not the wife or sister of any of
the other members of the committee.
Get acquainted with your committee
men and enroll yourself on his list, so
that he will not rcDudiate your vote
at the primaries. Insist that no eau
Gus or primary shall be held over or
near n saloon, then your particular
friends will not have that as an ex-
cusc for staying away from the pri-
maries. No one is supposed to be ell
giblc to vote at a primary unless he
shall have voted the ticket at the last
preceding election, or at least so ldentl-
fled himself with the party whose pri-
marics he wishes to attend that there
can be no question of his good faith.
The new element in our politics. the
woman vote. will modify established
rules on this point, but nevertheless,
if you haven't identified yourself with
any party, do so at once if>yOu want
to have Il hand in nominating a ticket
that you will not be ashamed to vote
for. Late converts to a party should
not expect to be sent to the state or
county convention, as wise generals
do not send raw recruits to the front,
but they can at least help to send hon
est delegates who will not sell out
their party to their opponents. The
time is drawing near. so "choose ye
this day whom you will serve, for ye
cannot serve God and mammon."