Smyrna times., 1901-02-13

The abuses that have arisen from
Boss-rid den conventions must neces-
sarily give place te new and better
methods in the way of nominations.
Different methods will naturally be
tried: from these equipments some
thing better than the present method
will naturally result in securing candi-
dates of superior character and fitness.
The following are given as among the
newest and best methods of primary
elections:
The Minnesota Primary Election
Law is a radical departure from the
old, inadequate and disappointing pro-
cedure. The first trial of the new
law in Minneapolis was remarkably
encouraging. More than the total vote
cast at the previous State election in
that city was polled. Excellent candi-
dates were selected and a number of
Aldermen who were chronic office
seekers were shelved. Unfortunately
the law applied only to Minneapolis.
It's continued successful operation
there will probably lead to its exten-
sion to other jurisdictions of the State.
Another Western and still more rad
ical Primary Bill is pending in the
Wisconsin Legislature. 1t is more
comprehensive than the Minnesota
measure The primary elections are
to be held at the regular polling places
in every precinct The law is to 60
into effect, if passed, on May 1, 1901,
and thereafter the old style delegate
election will be abolished. All parties
will vote on the same day. Each will
have it's ballot aud the voter will make
choice of the party he wishes to sup
port. He may be challenged for any
ineligibility which would exclude his
vote at general election, and on the
further ground that he is not a mem
Der of the party whose election he de-
sires to vote. He may qualify himself
with respect to this objection by sim
ply making affidavit, declaring that he
is a member of the said party, and
that he intends to vote its ticket at the
next election.
A candidate before he can be voted
for at the primary election must file,
at least 40 days before the election,
nomination paper signed by at least
per cent of the voters of his party in
the political division he would repre-
sent. These signers must be we'll dis
tributed over the jurisdiction, as spec
ifcally provided in the bill, and no
person can sign for more than one can
didate for the same office. The nomi-
nation papers are then filed in the
proper Office, and the names of the
candidates of all parties are publicly
announced for a sufficient length oil
time-30 days in case of general elec-
tiOn-tO enable voters to examine thor.
oughly the record Of the candidates
and their qualifications for the Offices
they aspire to. The cost of the pri-
mary election is borne by the State OF
counties. There shall be a separat,
ballot for each political party upoI
which the names are placed alphabet
caIly under the titles of the respectiv.
offices. Electors prepare their ballot
nr marking with a cross the square op
JOslte the name of the selected candi
date. No one can vote at the primar
election unless duly registered: but n
voter is required to register in an,
precinct where registration is not no.
required by law. To encourage atten
dance at the primaries every primar
election day is registration day fC
personal registration, and opportunit
to vote is further promoted by maxim
the day legal holiday. Minute pre-
vision is made for the certifcation
results, so that the proceeding will L
as we'll guarded against fraud as gel
eral election. The candidate receivir
plurality vote for any Office becom
the candidate for his party for that p
sition, and his name is placed on Il
official ballot.