Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-08-17
AS TO THE PRIMARIES,

The purpose Of the law Of this state
IN reference TO primary elections was.
no doubt to promote the public inter
est, and to make the primaries what
they were originally intended for. the
beginning and foundation Of free. full
and lawful expression Of the win Of
the people. But, Ike other human
enactments, the statute is not perfect,
and there appears 20 be a strong feel.
ing OF prejudice against its adoption.
AS It Is left to the option Of the respcc-
tive parties and IS not obligatory upon
either, It can work no great injury
and may lie upon the statute book
inert. but ready for use when desired.
Primaries as at present usually con-
Quoted are very unsatisfactory to many
OF our citizens They are therefore
but SHINY attended When a citizen
who is not swallowed up IN politics.
goes to a primary, and finds that the
whole business has been arranged by
a small cotere Of wlre-pullers, and that
he IS therefore a mere cipher IN the
count he IL liable 10 make up bis mind.
either that he will try another time
to interest some OF his immediate
friends 20 combine for a purpose before
the primary is held, or to stay away
from It altogether In a large num-
Der Of Instances the latter method is
followed
A packed primary IS a fraud upon the
ordinary every day citizen, who Is not
in the swim with the clique that under
takes 10 run the machine. Hls voice
and vote are powerless and he feels
that he has wasted his time In attend
Ing. OF course he has the opportunity
and the right II he so chooses 20 unite
with his own associates. and get up a
counter caucus. and fight for what De
thinks Ia right or eXpedieut. But such
measures are not In the line of the
practical businesses man and ordinary
citizen. and these private hole.in-the-
corner cabals are unlikely to gain his
attention.
The usual result is that the prlmar.
les, intended to be what their name dc.
notes, are but secoadaries manipulated
by schemers who have planned to secure
the election OF just such delegates TO
the coming convention as win be- likely
to suit their purpose, There may be
nothing wrong IN an this. The clique
that plans may make better choice
than would be had n the matter was
left entirely 10 the multitude. But The
fact remains that the meeting So man.
aged is not a primary except IN name.
The primary law was intended to
remedy 10 some extent no least. fba
eYil which many good citizens com.
plain Of and thus TO induce them 10
attend ana cast free ballots for the deli
egates OF their choice. without having
10 engage IN a squabble In a public
meeting. Also TO render Il impossible
for persons TO vote for delegates IN am
election district where they have no
legal voice This Is not a party cues.
ton by any means. The evil sought
TO be remedied IS found 10 an parties.
ana the small attendance at ordinary
primaries Is evident ia one party as
much as In another
Outside OF the provisions Of the stat.
ute referred to, the best class OF ctI.
2ens have 1t Ia their power To regulate
affairs II they choose TO exercise it. By
staying away from the primaries they
leave the control in the hands OF those
whom they object TO. II every citizen
felt It duty TO 90 10 the primary IN his
election district, and use bis influence
IN the choite Of the most suitable per.
sons for delegates and On the adoption
OF any measures presented for the enc
dorsement OF the voters, tine little
schemes Of the caucusers would ba
shattered, and there would probably Doe
higher standard set up for The pe0-
pies representatives
While the thOughttul, conservative
and experienced citizens leave the
primaries 10 the manipulation OF the
professional politicians, they viii De-
conducted in the manner complained
OF and the conventions Will be com
posed Of the supporters Of outstsndins
candidates and private measures The
proper thing is for all citizens. ladies
and gentlemen who value the fran
chlse and desire the welfare Of the
state. TO attend the primaries, take @
free and active part ia the proceedings
IN a public spirit and not 10 further
personal ends, and then to 60 20 The
polls on election day and cast their ball
lots Tor the candidates and measures
OF their choice