The San Francisco call., 1899-03-08

far as the local situation is concerned.
AS a general proposition the law was
commended as being conducive to pure
politics and to the destruction of the
power of the bosses.
The law has many new and wide-reach-
ing provisions, and differs radically from
the old Porter primary election law, which
II repeals. In order that the voter may
obtain a general knowledge of this inno-
walton in political matters, an outline is
herewith given of some of the most Sa-
lient features of the Stratton law, with
comment here and there to point out
wherein it differs most widely from the
practices heretofore adopted in creating
political conventions.
Should the new primary law Withstand
the assaults that are already being
planned against it, it will be the first time
! in the history of the United States that
primary elections are made compulsory
to preserve party organizations. This is
considered the most important feature of
the new statute. 1t is made absolutely COM
pulSory that delegates to party nominating
! conventions be elected at primaries to
be held under regulations prescribed by
! the law II the candidates are to retain
their party designations on the ballots.
Heretofore IL was at the option of the
various party organizations to hold prim-
aries for the selection of delegates or to
appoint them in any manner they might
deem fit. Candidates nominated in any
other manner than by delegates elected
at the primary will not be entitled TO
their party designation on the official
! ballot used during the election proper.
Four kinds of primaries are provided
! TOR, based on the political divisions of the
state. State primaries will be held for Sc
lectlnS delegates to conventions at which
public officers will be nominated for
whom the electors of the entire State will
vote. District primaries will be the means
OF choosing delegates to conventions
at which congressman, members of the
Board of Equalization, Railroad Commits
sioners, Senators or Assemblymen will be
II q will he
held for legislative conventions only when
the legislative district comprises more
than one county. Local primaries will be
held for delegates to conventions to nom
mate candidates for county or city and
county officers, Supervisors, township
othcers and legislators representing dis
tricts wholly within one county. City pri-
marfes will be held for delegates 10 con-
ventions which Will nominate candidates
for city or town officers. The nominating
bodies thus organized will be known re-
spectively as State, district local and city
conventions
These primary elections are to be con-
Quoted, managed and controlled as to Sc
lection of precinct officers, use of great
registers and supplements thereto, print
ing and use of ballots, ascertainment of
results, and all other details. in the same
manner as are elections for State and all
other officers, except as otherwise pro-
Only as many ballots shall be printed
for each primary election precinct as
there are names appearing on the regis
ter or the supplements thereto of persons
entitled to vote.
No compensation is allowed TO precinct
election officers, who will consist of an
inspector, two judges, two clerks and one
ballot clerk for each precinct. No person
shall be compelled to serve as primary
precinct election officer more than once
In two years.
All State. district and local primaries
shall be under the control of the Elec-
ton Commissioners of the respective
counties, and shall be a charge on the
funds of the county. City primaries shall
be under the control Of the governing
bodies of the respective cities or towns,
and shall be charge on the city or