The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-08-12

osASA SaAS vSsSA sAssN W PAsSS ulS SIOSS III
circles opposite and at the right of each
name. In the new ballots it is squares
to the left" instead of "circles to the
right as before.
The greatest change, however, in the
law is that it is SO worded, that no can
didate's name can appear more than'once
on a ballot and under only one party
name. "When the same candidate has
been nominated for the same office by
more than one assembly, convention or
body of electors *~ such
candidates shall file with the proper of.
ficer X 4 Il statement in
writing 4 designating
4 = as to the column up
on such ballot in which such candidate
desires to appear Il such
candidates name shall appear in such
column and in no other" Session Laws
N. D., 1897. The law also provides that
if the candidate does not make choice
himself, then his name is to appear un-
der the column of the party that first fill
ed the first certificate of his nomination.
Another matter of interest which par
ticularly affects the fusion between the
democrats and populists, is the provis-
ion for nomination of candidates by par
ties which "cast per cent of the vote at
the previous election"
Under our laws there are apparently
three methods of nomination. to-wit; by
delegate convention, by signed petition
and by mass convention. IAN assembly
or convention within the meaning of this
chapter is an organized assemblage of
delegates representing political party
or principle which cast five per cent of
the total number of votes cast for men,
Der of congress at the last general cleo
ton. Revised Codes Sec. 49S.
A certificate of nomination filed with
the proper, officials, signed by 300 cleo
tors when for state office, or by ten
per cent of the votes cast for congress
man at last election, when for a district
or county Office, has the same effect as a
certificate of nomination made by a par
ty convention.
The only reference in the Revised
Code to "mass convention" that we
find is. ''The number of electors ne
cessary to hold mass convention shall
be the same as the number of signatures
required to nominate by petition" RE
vised Code Sec. sol. There are several
questions which appear somewhat vague
under our present law. We shall not
attempt to answer, but only refer to them.
While the law speaks of a "party con-
vention" as one which cast five per cent
OF the vote at the preceding election" it
nowhere provides for method of coun-
ing or recording of any party" vote.
Two years ago the, ballot bore the
headings, Republican" Democrat" :"
independent" as party designations.
1t has always been assumed that the vote
cast for the republican candidates rep.
resented the votes of the republican par
ty, and this is of course approximately
correct and sufficient. But the fusion
ticket of last election presents difficult
ties. The democrats and independents
each selected the same candidates, and
while the party designations each ap-
peared at the head of the ticket, the
names that followed were identical
though in the separate columns. In
counting the votes the poll books show
that John Burke received so many votes
for congress, that R. B. Richardson re-
ceived about the same number for gov
ernor, and SO on, but there is no way OF
telling whether the votes for Mr.. Burke
were all democratic votes, or if the votes
for Mr.. Richardson were those of inde-
pendents; or if not, what proportion of
them were. That is, under the law, there
is nothing to show that either the demo-
Gratis or Independents cast five per cent
OF the vote" though of course, it is Ger.
tain as a matter of common knowledge.
that both and each did so; and ifrhe law
and parties had remained unchanged.
certificates of the two parties would be
doubtless received and placed on the
tickets as in previous years, without
question.
But the law now allows only one nom-
ination, to appear on the ballot. The
two parties have adopted a new name,
and while still holding separate organixa-
tons are yet united under the new name
independent Democrats If the new
name represents new party, then it GER
tainly did not last five per cent Of the
votes at last election. !" The law makes
no provision and does not recognize fas.
ion Of two or more parties. Onithe CON
trary It defines legal convention "a rep.
resenting q" political party or principal.
Not two parties. but ca party. IS @
TO recapitulate. 1st. Last election
two separate organizations democrats
and Independents were named and haSl