The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-11-30
PRIMARY ELECTION
The Question Discussed by S. S.
c. Club in Spirited Manner.
Benz. D. Smith Reads Most Interesting
Paper on the Subject Covering
all Features.

present expressing their opinions one
way or the other upon the question.
The subject of discussion was "The
Reformation of Primary Elections
and BENZ. d. Smith read carefully
prepared and interesting paper there.
on, fully covering it to the extent that
one can in the time allotted.
Geo. E. Nettleton opened the dis
cussion and took strong grounds in
favor of primary election law, and
thought from all he had been able to
gather the Minneapolis law was good
one, and had worked reasonably
well at. it's trial in September.
The subject is one of much interest,
and we regret that we are able to
give only some of the more important
portions of Mr.. Smiths paper, as it
is one worthy of wide perusal. In
part he said:
The subject of this paper being
The Reformation of Primary Elec-
tions. '''>Let us see what it is that is
thought needs reformation. By the
term primary election is meant the
proceedings or machinery such as
caucuses and conventions, by which
the members of political party select
their candidates for the respective
offices which are to be filled at an
election. Parties are political neces-
sity under our form of government
and of late have been recognized by
law in this state as we'll as in
many others of the union, and now we
have on our statute books laws relat-
ing to the method and procedure of
caucuses and conventions and also
laws commonly known as corrupt
practice acts which are designed to
secure honest and upright conduct a
primary elections These laws make
certain acts, deemed improper, crimes
and prescribe severe penalties for
violation thereof. The paramount
object of parties is to secure the en-
actment of good and wholesome laws
and to elect competent and honest Off
Gals to public Office. There should be
at least two parties divided upon great
public questions, upon which there is
a chance for patriotic men, having
the best interests of their country at
heart, to differ. theoretically, the
best public service is rendered where
tho nartioc ara most noorIu ouopIxy ii
vided in numbers, and I believe that
such has been found to be the case in
practice. Certainly there is great dan
ger of corruption where one party is
in power for long number of years
with such tremendous major ity be-
hind it that it is useless for the other
party to attempt to gain control. 1t
will be admitted that elections should
be conducted fairly and honestly and
that, under our form of government,
the majority should rule; it is just as
important for the public welfare that
primary elections should be conducted
fairly and honestly, for in no other
manner may capable men be selected
as party candidates for Office and, if a
contrary course be pursued, or if the
machinery of party be of such a
character as to permit the minority
through fraud and manipulation to
control it, the party cannot endure.
The most urgent need of present day
politics, as stated in Governor North
colt s address, is that all citizens take
an active and intelligent part therein !;
next in Importance comes the subject
of so readjusting our party machinery
as to allow every member thereof full
voice in the management of the party
and the selection of its candidates, but
it must not be forgotten or ignored
that the latter question is practical
one and conditions as they exist must
at all times be taken into considera-
ton. No party can afford to put for
ward candidates, who, in the entirety
constitute a weak running ticket to
constitute a strong ticket many con-
ditions must be taken into considera-
ton; for example-if in the selection
of candidates for the state ticket all
of them should be from the same con-
gressional district in the state, or, if
in selecting candidates for the county
ticket, all shall be from some one town
or even commissioner district in the
county, the ticket is weak Again,
while some may hesitate to speak it
above whisper, ticket composed
entirely of foreign born citizens ma
tive of the same country would be a
weak ticket.
While have spoken of only two of
such practical questions there are
many others that might be mentioned.
The party machinery by which can
didates are nominated should be so adj
justed that all these practical questions
may be taken into consideration in
forming the ticket. The greatest de-
feet in our present caucus and delegate
system is that the individual is only
permitted to vote for delega ties to the
convention. Usually the chief contest
is between the respective candidates
for some one.ofice which is to be filled
at the coming election. it may be the
Office of state senator, or sheriff or
county auditor or any other Office to
be filed. but nearly always the great
est interest is taken over the selection
of candidate for some one Office. The
candidate or his friends. get up the