Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-05-31
DWINNELL SHOWS UP DEFECTS
One of the Authors of Minnesota Law
Discusses Weakness of System.

The interviews printed below clearly
set forth in detail the points to Which
reference has briefly been male:
w. S. Dwinnell, who more than any
man in Minneapolis or in Minnesota, for
that matter, has made study of the pri-
mary election principle and whose studi-
Gus investigation of the subject makes
him recognized authority said: I'm the
session of 1899 there were three bills,
one of which l introduced. A substitute
bill made up of parts of these was drawn,
and I think it will be conceded that my
efforts contributed toward it's becoming
a law. This law applied to Hennepin
county only. At the next session the
law was extended to apply to the entire
state, for all offices with the exception Of
state officers. Then the extra session linn
tied it's operation to cities Of 10000 or
more, so far as municipal affairs are
concerned.
'From party standpoint, the matter
of geographical and nationality selection,
which cannot be determined under the
law, is a very serious question. 1t is gen
orally demonstrated that parties are nee
essary to good government. They act as
check upon each other, so that the
question of well-balanced ticket is a
matter of necessity. 1t has always been
customary, so far as Hennepin county is
concerned, to give the territory outside
of the city two members Of the House
of Representatives This has been con-
coded to them. Under the primary law
all the members come from the city.
1t will be hard for the country people of
district which contains city of any
size to get a member. As a matter of
party eXpediency, under the contention
system, there always is a possibility of
regulating these discrepancies of selec-
ton, but there is none whatever under
the primary plan.
Difficulties of the Voter.
SIT goes without saying that 80 per
cent. of the people do not come in con-
tact with any public official. OF necessi-
ty the voter has to make selection Of
some particular man from the $50 can
didates for the various offices. No eX
PLANTATION is required to appreciate the
difficulties the average voter who is I'M
acquainted with the candidates is under.
The men who are in Office become ac
quainted with the voters, and their
names are familiar to them. As result
the primary system tends to perpetuate
these men in Office. In looking over the
list of names upon the primary ballot
much depends upon whether a candidate
is known to the voter"
Fraud and Manipulation.
In speaking of the opportunities for
fraud and political manipulations Mr..
Dwinnell said: I'm the sixth precinct of
the Fourth ward of this city practically
Twice as many hepuDncan votes We're
cast at the primary election as there
We're Republican voters in the precinct.
This shows that Democrats cast the
votes. Under this system it is possible
to so multiply minority candidates that
it is practically an impossibility to Sc
cure the defeat of a candidate who has
the ability to manipulate affairs. The
present system presents many opportuni-
ties for political intrigue and manipula-
ton and presents a marvellous opportun-
ity for the politician.
"Under the primary system the uues-
ton of personal expense is important.
1t is very large, for under the operation