The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-06

OF holding all the primaries OF the vari-
GUS parties together. Under this system
each man would vote on the nominations
81 MS own party alone. Men could not
anen De induced by friendship or by pay,
az Is sometimes the case, to vote at all
me primaries and assist In the nominal
ton OF candidates In which they really
nave no interest. At primaries held un-
ger the present system there Is always a
large vote from the other parties which
prevents the true desire OF the party
rom being expressed. In the direct pri-
as few men would care to lose the oppor-
tunity OF expressing their wishes as to
the nominees OF their own party.
the. primaries would be purified any BY
such law. The adoption OF the system
OF direct voting would cause all the ma
81 aons ana ma wire pulling q poiss to
Ing In TO buy his way TO an office would
make his entire expenditure. and do all
ms ms work there. The primaries are now
greater part OF the wire pulling is in the
conventions The candidates take quiet
part IN the voting by the people, but the
ekates have been chosen The new sys-
tenn would cause the primaries to be the
scene OF harder political work. OF
greater expenditure Of money and, gen
orally speaking, OF more of dirty politics.
While am city man. / believe that
the country precincts have. Just right
rect primary would result In their having
very little to say in the naming OF the
county nominees. Under the present sys-
tenn every precinct is entitled TO two dele
gates. no matter how small It's voting
strength may be. The result Is that the
country precincts form an important
part OF every convention and, when they
demand anything. the politicians as rule
dare not refuse them. The direct primary
will entirely remove this advantage and
the country precincts will have very little
to say In deciding the nominations OF the
party.
Under the system OF direct voting the
known. win be hopeless OF securing nom
nation. The choice will be practically
made by the city. and the city voters Will
Ink their ballots they viii not cross the
unfamiliar country names"
]. r. McElroy: The direct primary
law Is a good law and 1t should result in
Of the different parties. Under II tho
nominations will be made by the people
at their primaries instead OF being the
result OF the dealing and trading or the
conventions.
THE choice OF the candidates by d.
rect vote will result I'm men being named
on their own merits rather than on the
ability OF some one else IA q trader The
ability OF the candidates themselves and
not that OF their political managers will
THE primary election has been an es-
tnbtishesis part - Missouri politics for
many years II has been used by all
parties there for over quarter OF cen.
fury and In cherished as necessary part
OF the scheme " government
Jules Redeisheimer. II like the gen
eral idea OF the direct primary law. Upon
uapsr II reads well but l would want 20
have experiences with it's actual workings
before expressing an opinion ~ 70 wheth-
er ID IL a good thing or a bad thing. Nomi-
nations by the people direct should be
fairly made and ought to give general
satisfaction.
be in practice. but l fear that the direct
primary leaves open an opportunity Tor
jobbery by the opposing party Under the
Minnesota law. which understand Is pro
posed for this state, the primary election
Is conducted in such n way that there
Is no chance to learn which ncket man
votes. What IL to prevent the members
q one party consparns 20 secure ne,hsr,
"Of course. the law permits a man 70
vote on the nominations OF only one party.
Marks made on the tickets oi the o,ne'
weak man and force him upon party
Il would be necessary for those putting
up the Job 20 confne their voting 70 the
nomination. contests OF the party 10 De
iobbed This would prevent straight re
pubiicans or Democrats from being party
10 the Job. as they would not De WHINE
to sacrifice their vote IN 'nsar s o~ ~, p tss
nopuSition The danger would not be from
the rank and file OF the parties. " wSpiu
lie IN the vote OF that element which ~
always willing 90 vote anywhere a. any
time and in any way, The votes OF these
men eo,lld be used 20 secure the nomina-
,ton az wcak man by the opposition Tor
acme imnortant office. With the poor can
aidate decided upon as the nominee "
wenld be a simple matter 10 slaughter
him at the polls, - -
asrhe present system gives great OBJ
.crtunitv for double voting % the pr
ruarteu but the opposition has no cnancc
- ,,.,s ,n,- IN, candidate direct The Dem
ocrais can take part IN the selec,ion ot
delegate TO 4 Republican convention ou,
the delegates named are Rspuolicans an mi
when they get into tho convention VII
a. an In their power 20 secure the nom
nation ~ a strong ticket The ps',ocfat ;
take no direct part In making the hepuo-
ifcan nominations