The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-30
- EDITORS PRAISE THE LAW
Admit Its Defects but Declare for II

Admit Its Defects but Declare TOR It's
. T2s&~&..r Retention, +. /
/ Comment in the weekly newspapers Of
the state is more strongly In favor OF
the law A few condemn it because II dld
not come out to suit them this fall, put
the almost unanimous opinion, SO Tar as
expressed, is that the direct nomination
lis an improvement over the caucus sys-
tenn. The following extracts are. repre-
sentative Of press comment IN all parts
of the sta te 800. ;. s q
alexander Post ,News-The longer we
study the results the more strongly we
favor the law,, 1t should be amended very
materially. - It does; not Interfere with
party organization, but 1T is a people
law. - The convention system after years
of trial, fell into the almost complete con-
troll Of politicians. The mass Of the people
grew to feel that they had little to do
with picking the men they We're expected
to vote for. Independence Of party con-
troll grew and the demand resulted for
this primary election system: The repub-
lican party gave it to the people. TO re-
peal it after this one trial would not be
wise. 1t should now have thorough trtM.
It's workings are now pretty we'll under
stood. Its faults are known.
. Pipestone Week Review-We believe
the primary law is a, good one, but that it
can be made. better after a few more trials
and a few amendments. It might work
some inequalities but it gives justice an
opportunity, and the people will ultimately
recognize in it's provisions the bulwarh
of their political liberty. =. 80 -
Crookston Times Ond.) 1.-THE primary
law is a sword of Damocles hanging over
the head Of every office holder. In
der the convention system the office hold
er could not afford to offend his constit-
uency or to disregard their wish in pro-
portion to-, the, remoteness of the time
when he should again become candidate,
and in proportion to his power within
But it is different now. When
the office holder comes up for renomin-
alton his official acts cannot be CLOSED
over; he must account to the people for
his stewardship. n:
Crookston Journal-The. evidence is
overwhelming that the primary election,
on the whole, is a success. The vote was
heavy, probably as large as it will be in
November. The people are interested in
politics and do care who holds office, as
their first chance to express themselves
freely in the matter of nominations shows.
And their choice in the long run has
been excellent. .s...s. -.; a..
advantages of the primary election are
obvious, but there are so many disad-
Nantages as to more than counter balance
the score. - It is a complicated
and unwieldy plan for determined. party
nominations, and is little less susceptible
of manipulation than the old-time con-
ventionS.
Thief River Falls Press-The new prim
lou ic,1 nricr hut
voter should be compelled to make public
! his past and present party; aftiliation. II
this serious defect can be remedied the
! law will be generally commended.
Red Lake. Falls Gazette-There is g
\ grea cry among the politicians that the
| system is failure. The object was t,
| in the hands of the voters. free from the
manipulation Of the party bosses. In thu
| face of the fine, representative vote cas-
i all over the state, it would appear that tn,
! opportunity offered has not been spurned
Wadena Pioneer Jo1rnal-There seems
| to be quite a strong feeling that it would
! be wise to repeal the new primary election
! law. The claim is made that the new Law
4 is an expensive proposition for all tn
candidates and their friends, and tina
1 it tends to destroy party organization
There is no doubt but that many repub
lican candidate in the state to-day owe
/ his nomination to democratic and populis
/ votes, and perhaps some democrats ow,
their nominations to republican votes ]
i the law could be amended to prevent this
4 1T would be in harmony with the best pub
lie sentiment. STILL rather than have tn
law repealed entirely, it would be beteel
4 to leave it stand as it is. ~
Sleepy Eye Dispat ch-The primary cleo