The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-09

Favorable as has been the general re-
ceptfon OF the movement for the adoption
OF the direct primary by this state. II has
received It's most careful attention and
has been given It's strongest Endorsement
by the members OF the Legislature. Sew
erul OF these have observed the satisfac-
tory workings of the system in various
forms IN various parts OF the country ana
have been actively agitating legislative
action at the coming session.
Among these pioneers in the movement
Is William III. Lewis. representative-elect
from the Forty-frst district. Mr.. Lewis
saw the system In use In Southern Iiii-
nots and Immediately became strong
supporter OF the law. He expresses his
ideas In an interview given below. Incl
dentaliy raising question as to the man
ner Of preparing party platforms when
the use of the law becomes general, q
question for which some solution VIII
probably have TO be found.
or the three opinions upon the direct
primary printed below one. that Of John
r. HUMPHREYS, condemns the plan OF the
proposed law. Mr.. Humphrics was one
OF the men who agitated and secured the
adoption Of the present system by this
state and. although he admits the law
no assisted In placing upon the statute
books does not I'LL the need. he believes
the direct primary WIN fail as q remedy
William RI. Lewis: II have been espe-
cialsy interested In the principle of direct
vote AZ primary elections since had &C.
casion. while In the East last year, to
observe the workings or such d law In a
congressional district IN Southern Illinois.
The law has been in force there for some
time and has given excellent satisfaction,
especially In the country districts. | had
hared similar bill would be introduced
~ tire coming session Of our legislature,
atx IL tt..
nois law with TINT IN view.
The agitation Of this question by the
Post.lnteI gencer Just now y wise and
last county and municipal conventions Of
both parties has attracted attention to
the evils 81 the convention system. While
! am not 80 familiar with the subject as
70 say that ! shall support a bill ex-
actiy following the Minnesota law. have
no hesitation In Declaring myself In
favor 81 some measure providing for q
direct vote Mt primary elections.
II have as yet seen no mention of any
method for draft ny a platform II seems
g me there should be some provision by
"a prior e tss GATE VT FOR 1 H. primar 1e
A ntan would then have no excuse for not
standing squarely on the platform OF hts
party ! hope TO see some provision
n. II. Lindsay; I'm my Judgment the
0'rcrt primary, as outlined In the Post
ssAEiH&tItSfs ~ fui&Hty koUG tnink. III
holds out a promise of a great improve
ment. and IL At least we'll worth an ex-
partmentai test In this state.
We have experimental for ages with
she convention system and the politi-
ciana now have things so we'll In hand
thai they are easily able TO win at the
convention IN Ae and beat the wishes Of
the people. What We want now Is some
thtrg that win Seat the politicians and
enebie VS. 10 make our nominations upon
fair basis The direct primary. 10 my
mind looks as thong It would ill this
lorw~feit want In modern politics
My opinion is that the direct primary
will practically deal deathbiow 10 boss
ism, a contamination most devoutly ia be
wished. The new system IN the hest plan
have ever heard advanced to get mt the
wish of the masses Of voters OF both par
ties, II with nut tho nominating power
In the hands Of the people They will ex-
press their wish at the POLLS When the
rank and file Of party are In control
there liz no bossism.
III may be that the workings OF the
direct primary will ~ first be somewhat
cumbersome. but when II IL once tried
means will be found to ubviate that oh
lection. rse will show the Weaknesses