The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-07-04

y
settled, at least for the present, in the
State Legislature. For the time being
It is out of the way. But the Milwau-
kee Free Press, a paper devoted to the
interests of Gov. La Toilette and the
regime he represents, gives its readers
a column and a half editorial calling
for reasons for the opposition to the
primary election law. The Free Press
says that it has been well said that
much of the objection to the primary
election law is the fear that it would
result in advancing Robert M. La Fol
lette's political ambitions; and that
the contention of the supporters OF
the primary election law is that under
that kind of a law no man or set OF
men could manipulate the nomination
machinery or dominate in any way.
Then the Free Press goes on with
column of assertions as to what would
most likely take place in primary
election involving the nomination OF
memb ers of the State Legislature pre-
vious to the appointment of a United
States Senator. After this lingo of
suppositions and assertions, it repeats
the bare charge Of the opponents OF
the primary election system, and the
bare denial of the friends of that sys-
tenn, and then concludes that "there is
is no argument in bare assertion"
The conclusion is a logical one. It
is we'll borne out by what comes be-
fore. There is no argument in bare
assertion unless the assertion be of
fact and the column of words preced-
ing the conclusion of the Free Press
seems to one ample justification for
the statement.
No doubt, if the advisability or
adopting primary election system in
this State were put to public vote,
there would be call for some more
definite and convincing exposition of
how it would relieve machine rule than
is given in the mere. repetition of the
acknowledged fact that some at least
of its supporters think it would.
But possibly the fact that the ques-.
ton is not at present before the State
Legislature may render the time all
the more fit for it's discussion. Then,
in the interests of argument. sup
pose the primary election law were in
operation in this State. State 1egisla-
tors are to be elected. Kenosta county
is to elect Member of the Assembly.
Under the primary election system,
those of the Republican party, if you
please, who think themselves born to
be so1ons, those who are habitual1y sin
the hands of their friends" and those
who are always ready to grab politi-
cal Job proceed to get out their nom
ination papers and make themselves
candidates for nomination by the pri-
mary election. There may, under the
primary election system, in a county,
be a large number of these self nomin-
ated candidates for nomination. We
will suppose, for convenience, that
there are six, which number is not
large considering the number that
have at diverse times, on such occa-
sions, expressed themselves willing. to
undertake the arduous possibilities
of a State Legislator. We will fur
Their suppose that the main question.
before the coming Legislature is the
appointment of United States sSena-
tor and that there are two or three or
more candidates in the field. One of
these candidates for United States
Senator is a machine candidate. Then,
suppose, to make the case as good as
possible for the system, that kenosha
has a decided choice for Senator, that
is, that the majority of the voters of
the county are favorable to certain
man as United States Senator. The
question of the choice of United States
Senator will naturally be quite fully
discussed in the primary election cam
paign, and the half dozen candidates
for nomination for the Assembly at
the primary election in Kenosha coun-
ty will have to make some statement
of their position on the question of
Senator. One of these half dozen is of
course the machine candidate, favor
able to the machines candidate for
United States Senator. The remain
ing FIVE candidates for the Assembly
might be divided in their choice, or
independent, but are, according to our
supposition, all favorable to the man
most favored by the Republican voters
of the county. Then comes the prim-
airy election. The votes are cast, and,
according to the primary election law,
the candidate of the Republican party
for Member of the Assembly from Ke-
nosha county who has received the
prea test number of votes is the duly