The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-03-20
Washburn, Wis, Mar. 20, 'Ol
PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

COuS lu'lCu do O. IinOl WI" " ~
not going back on any stand We
have ever taken, but like all honest
newspapers and individuals we re-
serve at all times the right to
change our views, and are always
open to conviction. In the early
part of the discussion of the propos-
ed primary system we took the posi-
ton. which we believed 10 be con-
sistent with the conditions, that the
people wanted a Primary election
law. and we said at that time that
what the people want they should
have. Whether or not the Primary
election system is right, we will not
discuss, but give the people what
thew want, and if they are not salts
fed, let the law to be enacted, b.
repealed at the next session OF the
legislature if it does not operate IN
the successful manner it's advocates
claim for it. .
So far as the law itself was con-
cerned we are free to say that We
were not informed on the question,
but expressed ourselves only as to
carrying out the wishes Of the peo-
pie. In that we were like a good
MANY others. it seems, and were
willing to let it be known that w
were willing to have the people have
their way The advocates of the
measure were the only ones who
we're doing much talking, hence We
heard but one side of the question.
The position of the opposition was
mistaken for acquies ance in the plan,
but it now must appear that the
gentlemen among the leaders of the
party who were not expressing
themselves on the measure were
holding their peace in order not to
stir up party dissension when no
good could be expected to result
from opposition. But during The
past few weeks, the question has
been discussed by both sides wholly
on it's merits. and we doubt very
much if at this time the proposed
scheme meets with the approval of
the vast majority of the people. In
that point alone we have changed
our opinion, and that brings Us
down to the point where we can
view the proposed Stevens bill
solely on it's merits, without refer
'ence to any other consideration or
question. 1t has been mail tained
from the first that the northern
part of the state would suffer from
the change in systems, and we have
al ways maintained that this was a
bad feature of the bill, and still
think so. 1t is the strongest feature
against applying the terms of the
measure to state affairs. Sparsely
settled parts of the state would not
receive a just portion of the political
consideration to which they are en-
titled he newspapers and leading
politicians Of the state have thor
oughly discussed every feature of the
proposed law, and the man who is
not conversant with it's provisions
has only himself to blame. 1t is TO
be hoped that the bill in it's present
form will never become a law. AS
applied to state affairs, cODgressiOn-
al and legislative districts, the meas
ure would no doubt prove a great
Disappointment to even those who
are now it's Jealous advocates. The
plan of candidates writing their
own platforms opens the way to a
dangerous condition of affairs, and
would be dlSa> trOuS to the great
parties and their organizations. And
then, too, the idea that the county
committee chairEen should act in
stead of conventions. and canvassing
boards to a large extent is poor
feature. So far as appl ying the
measure to counties, it is "a different
matter, and might work successful
ly. 1t is well enough to give it a
trial, and if it woull take the fight
off the sheriff-ship, and give the
other candidates "a chance, there
would be benefit.
But as for the provisions Of the
Stew rs bill, in it's original form and
the minor amendment, repor4ed by
the committee, we believe that it has
more bad than good features, and
ought not to be passed. A compro-
mise measure might be arranged to
FL l. uz..l.