The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-08
Two Misconceptions.

The excellent expressions of opinion
upon the direct primary which the Post
Intelligencer's publication has. called out
have ELECTED two misconceptions which
are not at all to be wondered at One is
that the principle is recognition OF the
'inItiative and referendum" so dear 10
the Populst heart. We are glad Of all
support for the proposed reform, by what
ever party name 1t calls itself. Good
things have come even out OF Populism.
and there is many a sincere and loyal
American who has at one time or another
enrolled himself in the Peoples party. So
that. IL we found anything intrinsically
worthy, 1t would lose no merit because
Populists approved IT,
In fact, however, there is no relation
between the direct primary and direct leg
islation. One is in accord with our sys-
tenn of representative government, the
other is not. 1t is provided in that sys-
tenn that the people shall choose their
public officials. with but few exceptions,
by direct ballot. 1t is provided that they
shall make their laws by representatives
to whom that power is expressly dele
gated The one Is practical. the other Is
not The choice OF an individual to flll
a certain office Is a simple matter. The
merits of the man are the main consId-
Grafton. The passage OF a Law may and
usually does involve the study of facts
the community which many citizens could
not compass and to which not moety
Of busy men would or could give the
proper time and attention The direct
primary intends simpl7 to restore our
system of electing officers TO what was
contemplated in all our political history,
perience. The initiative proposes to rev.
olutionize the government by substitut-
ing direct legislation, for the representa-
tive system. We have no objection TO a
free discussion OF each on its merits, but
they should not he confused.
The other misconeeption IL found in
the fear that. since both parties hold
their primaries at the same place and
time. and each voter Is free to mark
any ticket that he may wish. the mem
bers OF one party nigh, conspire to force
weak candidate upon the other, for the
purpose OF facilitating its defeat at the
polls Let us consider this theoretically
able A man having but one vote he
mus. sacrifice that vote for his choice
on his own ticket N he tries TO put a
picked candidate on that Of the opposi-
tion As there are few so little interest
cd IN their own candidates az 10 be will
ing TO do this. the danger is largely mag
mary. Besides. a really weak candidate
would be likely to need so much help to
boost him into a nomination that nothi.s
short 81 an organized abandonment by
his enemies OF their whole ticket could
accomplish Il.
Practically, there was a time a couple
Of months ago when lots Of people In
Minneapolis wete claiming that exactly
tais thing had happened. The Democrats
OF that city nominated their agreed can
didate for mayor on q comparatively
small vote A very heavy vote was cas-,
for the Two LEADING Republican candl-
DATES. The man whom all expected ,s
see nominated was beaten; aud his rival
former Democrat, only recently ARM.
/ ated with the Republican PARTY, was nom
mated. Instantly the cry arose ina, the
Democrats had used the primary lax 10
nominate a weak candidate fcs their On.
I ponents II they 3sd they stuck 10 him
90 the polls a. sell. FOR this same man
viii succeed the present Democrats
mayor, having been elected by tsco glu-
raaty. Taxing g an around. there IS not
bali as much danger tn trusting the peo-
| pie 10 30 the things which they can do
and ought 20 do as the practical poli,t-
/ clan sometimes imagines