The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-11
p;rect Primary Legislation Would
Correct Many Evils.
80 IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
-. seattle Lawyers Discuss Pro-
-.a Remedy for Corruption I'm
xeninating Conventions-Repre-
&..tative-EIect Jones strongly
osnmends Essential Features Of
r-DonwOrth's Indorse ment.

-. nuestion of the ACCESSIBILITY of a
~. ". urinary law for the state OF Wash
@-- ma noted from time to time by the
s.Tt.Infelligencer, is receiving close con-
Iteration by men prominent In public az
800 thrnuehout the state. Careful read
mas been given the published ex-
ssscss comprehending the essential feat
~ Of the Minnesota law. Upon this,
s.rsral knowledge of the existing con-
Srsons and the necessity for some sort of
rsdial legislation. the interviews pub
r.ssd ~ the Post-Intelligencer are based
1rservlews with three Seattle attorneys
.t.iaw are published today. one, Reu-
~ ~. Jones, being the representative
Sscs from the Fortieth district. who will
~sytiripate in framing the laws OF the
rexf legislative session. Mr.. Jones earn
~~4lv advocates the passage of a law OF
~ zane intent. IL not along Identical
~. as the Minnesota law. George Dom
vorth aleo approves the proposition for
euch leselation. E. Hester Guile. while
LIMITING the necessity OF a law calculat-
a q prevent corrupt practices in securing
sosninations, does not. apparently believe
an the Minnesota law. or a measure on
Smiiar lines, will reach the purpose. The
lhfse interviews follow;
neuten W. Jones. Being n former WIS.,
ooosn boy. have for some time been in
l61vssed IN the fight for reform In pri-
Iary elections, as championed by Gov
iect n n. La Toilette.
II hAd fully decided to aid In securing
: Nrfuiatlon along these lines at the COM
~ ooolion Of the legislature, but the ex-
nj / hope to support | VIII not attempt
3 sstine ct present.
~ the Australian ballot system
- secured TO the individual the
1rs-. ..sx<I A..
;Sins an honest choice at an
{ 1Solion, and has practically done away
U1lh the evils so prevalent under the old
nS(hods, so, believe. will a carefully
r IsGssn the evils and entirely do away
11lh The worst features that remain in
~ pan Of selecting public officers.
NE have had the Australian system at
4 r psppie are sufficiently familiar with
Z ~ workings and satisfied with results,
1 ltAt they would take readily to the next
\ S(eR~tha OF the direct primary.
r eIoe nDal selection OF officers at elections
always. acceded to cheerfully because
VI n The direct choice by a secret ballot.
"a vii the choice or nominees be far
me generally acceptable when made by
y 4 10 select nominees directly by the peo-
~ with few u any combinations formed.
~ dlotation BY bosses. no mysterious
4ucuses Of the few leaders In a pre-
9uu the more open tTAnInk M CON-
xsntions, must result In stronger selec-
0pns unity of subsequent party effort,
"a far greater interest I'm the primary by
~ batter class of citizens, the busy bust
" often, stay away. realizing how use
NJ Il their personal vote against the
q A qssible objection to the direct pri-
H6fy' mes from lack OF informant on, and
but 20 It's adaptabiltty to conditions
~ afs % long accustomed to. II will bring
Aher and better conditions. Some few
pecui'a- cases may appear awkward to
oeet but n an occasional nomination not
4tirely satisfactory Is made. It Will be the
@oce OF the people. and not of a few
Nlf-chosen leaders. and believe the ag-
uloate OF all probable imperfections VIII
muIt that We know now exists with the
caucus'
George Donworth: From such exami-
1son q ] have been able to give tho
seeoeed law since an outline of II WAS
aealoAed IN the Observation-Disclosures, l be-
ave u v based on correct principles and
1evld be given trial. The present
Nnod Of making nominations IL objec-
tpaable chiefly for the reason, which has
I'm ~ often stated. that the party can
te y now often determined by the
IN OF political managers In convention,
rsnsr man by the popular WILL
\. TRIAL OF the direct primary law might
1ow That II Is subject to objections az
2uea q the present system. Certainly Il
9selo 20 a failure In any community
10y Mere In not a lively interest In po-
l,Sei matters on the part OF the citisens.
aen l9w would not be success unless
W average voter would take MS much
sans 70 vote at the primary as he does
vole n the final election. Under exist
- conuitions voters may stay away from
~ Urinary. relying upon the party lead
- N Convention to select good candi-
Aes Under the proposed law, however.
~ primary election itself determines who
~ candidates shall be, and unless the
o'isens nj large take an active interest