The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-05
BIG FIGHT FOR
ELECTION REFORM
jWINSHIP AND HIS FRIENDS BAT.
THING HARDER THAN EVER.
High=Handed Procedure in Republican
State Convention Has Made Them
Many Recruits Chances Deemed to
Be Good for Such Legislation Next
Winter . y 4
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal
Grand Forks, n. D., Sept. PRIMARY election
North Dakota this year than ever before and
1t Is really about the only subject that arouses
interest. The campaign has been tame one
thus far, and there seems little likelihood of any
great activity. Sentiment all over, the state
is so, overwhelmingly In favor of Roosevelt that
the possibility of the state going democratic on
national issues is not considered by anyone -
The agitation in favor Of direct primary
law was started by George R.. Winship of Grand
Forks, several years ago. and he has never
dropped it.. His ideas first found formal eX-
preston in measure known as the Luke Dill,
which was introduced in the state senate by
Senator Luke, in the session Of 1890. This BILL
provided for the nomination by direct vote OF
all candidates except those in small municfpali-
ties and except those the state ticket. 1t
was proposed to retain the convention for the
nomination of state candidates, including menu
bers Of congress-. who, in this state are elected
at large. h., --g-.-. -. Co.,.
Tho Luke bill was defeated. At the next
session Senator Cashel of Walsh county presented
a bill which went good deal farther than the
Luke bill in that it provided for the direct nom
ination of all candidates, state as we'll as local.
Those who had advocated approaching the subject
gradually doubted the wisdom of attempting to
cover the whole ground at once, but; the bill
having been presented all the friends Of primary
reform gave it their support, and there was: 9
strong popular demand for its passage. This
bill aveled the way of it's predecessor -
W
sented; one, the Davis bill which was introduced
in the house, was practically the Cashel bill OF
two years previous. The other, introduced IL
the senate, was framed by Senator sharpe an n.
bore his name. The latter provided for the dt
rect nomination of all except state candidates
and made no change in the manner Of their noml
nation. The bill introduced and referred (
a committee, which reported In favor OF ITS
passage. A minority report recommended that
the bill apply only to county candidates. This
minority report was adopted. and the bill was
never heard of again. This was accepted as al
indication that the senate majority would pass
no primary legislation at that session, Wh1cf
proved correct: The Davis bill passed the house
and was put to sleep in senate committee.
.,.. CHANCES BRIGHTER THIS YEAR. :,
/ This years republican state convention wal
marked by an unusual display of the methods
which have given rise in the past to the agita
ton for primary reform. The delegates hat
scarcely anything to say about the nominations
and they were free in expressing their disap
prevail with some of the results of the convention
and the means by which they were brough
| about. This dissatisfaction. has. been general
and the result is series of expressions in favo
of some sor of direct nomination law from
men who have heretofore opposed anything 9
the sort. ,.. -..- :
/ The chances. therefore, appear to be in favo
of the enactment of some primary legislation a
the session of next winter What the friend
| of real primary reform most fear is that =
| measure may be passed which will not work
which applies to too small fraction of til
candidates, which will be expensive and, there
fore distasteful. and which WILL therefore, ere
| ate a large sentiment against the principle Q
| direct nominations At this juncture the Gran
| Forks Herald which has chanptoned primar
reform from the first, renews its original recon
mendation against attempting to do too muc
at one time. and points out the ,advisabitys
| a law along the general lines of the Luke bin.
:. TRI-sTATE COMPANY BEGINS WORK.
/ Active work on the construction of loo,