Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-03-07
WITH THE STATE PRESS.
H. w. Meyer on Primary Election Law
in the Appleton Volksfreund.,
Feb 81 1901


Among the more recent bills of i'm
pOrtance that have been introduced
during the present session of the leg,
islature is one which aims to abolish
king Caucus" and to substitute a
primary election for all political par
ties. This measure has been known
for many years as the "hobby-hOrse
of our present Governor La Toilette.
For this reason it was one of the
planks in the republican state plat
form, and upon this platform the
governor was elected by tremendous
majority. Notwithstanding this fact
there are numerous professional poll
ticians and wire-pullers that are op-
posing the bill. The reasons they give
for their attitude are of a worthless
nature. The real reason, however,
is that because of this law they will
lose control of the caucuses, which
they and their followers have been
hitherto accustomed to manipulate.
1t is not my purpose to discuss the
bill in detail. The general purpose Of
professional politician and to give
the electors the opportunity to vote
directly for the candidates without
electing delegates to go to a conven.
tiOn to select nominees for the people.
If this measure is enacted, unpopular
and incompetent politicians will find
the chances very much abridged of
procuring nominations for themselves
by dishOnOrable means, for it is GER
tainly much more difficult to influence
all the people by any proper or i'm
proper means than it is in the case Of
few members Of a convention.
The primary election idea is not an
entirely new one, but on the contrary
it has been tried in other states, for
instance in our neighboring state Of
Minnesota, although in but one
county, namely Hennepin, in which
the city of Minneapolis is situated.
This new arrangement is so well
liked there that it is now proposed TO
extend it to the entire state. If such
law has brought about fruitful re-
suits there, why should it not do the
same in our state? Just the very fact
that the professional politicians are
opposed to such law, would induce
me to advocate it even though l had
not been convinced for other reasons.
One of the main arguments of the
opponents of this bill is that it will
increase the expenses of the state.
That may, perhaps, be the case, al
though by no means to the extent
that these people assert. But is it
not we'll worth a little sacrifice OF
money if we can as a result of it I'M
prove and purify our political machin-
cry? 1t would, indeed, appear so to
me. Better to save then in other
ways, for it can scarcely be denied,
that a great deal of money Is being
paid out of the state treasury, that
might just as we'll be saved l for
my part am in favor of giving the
measure at least a trial. 1t may hap
pen that in the practical application
of it faults and defects may be dis
closed-nothing else can be ex-
pected-but these may be remedied
later on. A powerful opposition was
also gotten up against the Australian
ballot when it was first proposed, and
yet it has proven itself so great, a
blessing that no one would care to re-
turn to the old system. l repeat in
conclusion: Let us give the new pri-
mary election law q trio1-