The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-17
Primary Reform Under Way.

Primary Reform Under Way.
The people Of Oregon are agitating for
direct primary law. and II appears GER
tain that some measure of the sort will
be passed at the coming session Of the
legislature. There Is some division Of
opinion as to whether the people should
vote directly for candidates or only for
delegates, on the Australian system. It
Is generally conceded that the former Is
desirable and that the latter would be
title gain In the way Of reform; but
there seems 10 be doubt whether the iegis-
laturc can 90 farther IN that state under
the constitution.
The ballot reform committee Of the
Pittsburg Chamber Of Commerce has pre-
pared q drift Of primary election law
to be presented to the next legislature.
I. Is the product OF long experience with
defective statutes. and Of the practical
conduct Of politics in one OF the most
machine-ridden commonwealth OF the
Union. It's main features are almost
identical with those of the Minnesota law
as published In the Observation-Disclosures
Candidates are to be nominated by a.
rcct vote, and all primaries for all par
ties are to be held on the same day
throughout the state. under the control of
the regular election OFFICERS. But each
voter declares for which party ne desires
TO vote, and il supplied with ballot for
the candidates Of that party only. The
measure is in complete harmony with the
ideas Of reformers not only IN the city
Of Pittsburg but throughout the state.
Reference has been made already In our
columns to the prominence OF this issue
In Wisconsin. where the new governor
made campaign on the platform OF the
direct primary. The fact IL that in the
legislatures OF dozen or more states this
winter such laws will be proposed; In some
cases to be adopted, In others to serve
az educators for the people who will ac-
cep. them little later. The direct pri-
rnary system stands now where the Aus
tralian ballot did when Massachusetts was
proposing Its adoption. and politicians in
most Of the states were either accepting
| u enthusiastically or cudeeling their wits
10 discover what arguments could be
urged against H.
There IL one wide difference. however.
The Australian ballot was novelty Con-
| sentative Americans hesita,ed long before
an innovation so complete In methods Of
voting. Nothing but the pressure OF the
general and terrible abuses connected with
the old fashion OF party and split tickets
Induced them TO take the plunge. The
abuses OF the existing primary are at least
as great and have proved inerad,cable.
But the direct primary Is scarcely an in
novation. II Is merely the extension TO
the primary of the method already IA
mliar to the voter. II Is the complement
OF the Australian ballot; the companion
act without which that must forever fail
OF at least part of its purpose. II places
nominations. as tina, places elections. In
the hands Of the people. where they be-
long. And who shah say that the peo-
pie are not competent or have not the
right to name the men who are to hold
office
Primary reform Is coming. with the
same sweep and unanlmity that slgnalixed
the adoption OF the Australian ballot.
Really the only question for each commu-
nifty to determine Is whether It win at
once enjoy the advantages Of so benefi-
cent change or remain laggard untn
more progressive communities have forced
! II into line for very shame We hope TO
see the state OF Washington at the head
Instead OF the tail Of the reform column.