The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-05
MINNESOTA POLITICS
Champion of Senator cIapp Wants House
Candidates Put on Record-An Embar.
RAISING Question for Hennepln CandI-
dates-IoWa Champion of Primary Sys-
tenn Favors the Double Primary.

The st. Cloud Journal Press wants leg
islative candidates put on record as to
their choice for United States senator. and
made to declare whether they stand by
the state platform and its Endorsement of
Clapp Editor Alvah Eastman, who is one
of the champions of the junior sena tor,
says:
to the candidacy of Moses e. Clapp for United
States senator to succeed himself. He has the
Endorsement of at least three state conventions
and Is as much the candidate of the party as Is
Theodore Roosevelt.
United States senators, however, are elected
by the legislature and under the primary system
there Is no way Of instructing the state senators
and members of the house by their constituents
| In convention assembled. It is no new thing to
have members Of the legislature ignore the
instructions OF state convention, claiming that
they were responsible only to the people Of their
district. There are certain interests that desire
the defeat of Senator Clapp and already there is
one candidate against him, "a gentleman Of high
standing in the party and a man of ability.
! There will Undoubtedly be others.
We believe that Clapp is the choice of great
majority OF the republicans of Minnesota, and
expressed the sentiment Of the individual mem
bers of the party. But in the face of the
| fight that may be made against him something
more than resolutions is needed. Candidates
for the house are to be selected next month
and have already commenced their campaign. Re-
publicans should insist that every republican can
his choice for United States senator The people
have right to know. and those who will not
| publicly pledge themselves to vote for Moses
B. Clapp should be defeated at the primary cleo
ton.
Put them on record.
| Hennepin county has a candidate OBJ
posed to Senator Clapp and this may
create embarrassment among some of the
house candidates, who will have hard work
to make UP their minds before the gprim-
airy, being afraid of one candidate an6
scarf of the other
| The Sioux City Tribune, which Is
earnestly urging a primary law for Iowa
comments on the various improvements
recently discussed in this column, an6
declares in favor of the second primary
/ Says the Tribune:
The idea Of those who champion the primary
and understand the principle upon which it is
/ based is to make it as fair, impartial and
vember They are right in reasoning that to at
necessary. If direct nomination by majority
vote is right, proper and desirable, then by al
means such nominations should be had. The very
existence OF the primary in several states and the
| constant agitation elsewhere for its adoption
prove that the people want nominations to BIZ
made in that way. That is the primary's rea
object, and the object is in harmony with oul
whole scheme of popular government.
! OF the two plans designed to do away Will
minority nominations, that Of the double primary
lis the better. The other plan, which contem
plates delegate convention in default of ma
jority nomination at the primary is open to tn,
4 same objections that follow the convention sys
tenn generally. A few delegates can be infu
enced, and it is not certain by any means tina
they would voice the popular will in maxim,
choice. The second plan is the cheaper blu
cheapness is not always desirable The .expens
of the double primary. however. would not b.
too great, considering the results and the con
clusion ought to be that the object of the pr
mary system should be attained in the fulles
measure If the primary is to be used at ALL
The Morris Times. democratic, is ad
vertising for candidate to uphold tn
party standard in the seventh district an
see what he can do against. Congressma
Volstead.