The record-union., 1897-09-03

Trustee Kent has already answer
ed that returned Devine. His idea
is a good one No restrictions should
be placed on any man. Let him get
out his petition and run Independently
If he wants to-
TOZER ASKS QUESTIONS.
Parties themselves should say who
they want for candidates. . Tozer said
and they should do so in respectful BILE
manner If this board follows the ad-
vice Of the Corporation Counsel 1t
won't get far from right
Professional politicians are the only
ones who want to see the ordinance
adopted" interjected Kent.
That's a pretty broad statement" ;"
returned Tozer. Suppose you tell us
why"
Stcatton and the rest of them could
answer that better than l." returned
Kent and then continued 1T looks as
though you've got enough votes to pass
the ordinance, and there amt much
use taking .
Ana then Kent smiled again.
Don't you think people should have
right TO express themselves at an cleo
tion?" Gueried Tozer
tClAr rs EepllGd htnt
And don't you think they ought TO
have the same right to express them
selves in regard to who shall be their
candidates. continued Tozer.
Here Kent got back to the old-time
primary and said parties could get to-
gether and nominate their own eandi-
dates.
Why not hold them under the STRAIT
ton law in the honor of decency?' in
quired Tozer.
We'll" replied Kent. there are
whole lot of opinions respecting the va
lidity Of the Stratton law, and even
the Corporation Counsel hadn't much
confidence in it,
DO you think it would be as bad as
the usual primaries ?' inquired Mckay.
Il remember once [ did not vote at
primary for fear if l got into the mob
would never get out alive
Devine thought it would be as we'll to
take a vote and settle the business.
BENTLEY'S IDEAS.
Then Bentley got slowly to his feet,
and said that While he had recently been
absent from the city he had given the
Stratton law his careful consideration
and had secured opinions from lawyers
of all political parties concerning its
validity He believed it to be his duty,
as a good citizen, to stand up and work
for decent. respectable primaries, and
if doubt existed as the legality of the
law, decency and order should be given
the benefit of the doubt, particularly
when there was nothing to lose and 50
much TO gain. Primary elections in the
past, he said, had become notorious, and
he believed that one in his sober
senses would dis9ute that the end
aimed at was for the mutual good of
the community. Almost all shortcom-
ings in politics, he said, are the out
come of loose primaries, and he felt that
it was time to call a halt. He did not
consider the ordinance a party measure
and did not understand how any man
could conscientiously oppose it when
there was q chance of Improvement.
He Endorsed the ordinance because there
was nothing to lose, and a possibility of
a great gain.
Mckay called for the question. but
Devine interDosed to inquire of Corpor-
alton Counsel Johnson whether it was
not possible, provided the ordinance was
adopted, that some of the present Off
cldlS WOuIu attempt 10 nOlu over OH lHe
ground that the primary was not legal.
Mr. Johnson replied that any hing was
possible. but that any effort to hold over
would prove disastrous to the man at
| tempting it.
Mckay again called for the question
and as nobody could think of anything
further to say, the ordinance was re-
fused adoption by the following vote:
Ayes-Tozer, Mckay, Davis and Bent
ley.
Noes Leonard, Devine. Pennish, Kent
and Wachhorst-0.
And President Leonard declared the
ordinance lost.
The board adjourned to meet at 2:30
O'Clock p m. Monday.