Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-10-05

measures III sure they would brln6
about the reforms desired, they may
be excused for entertaining an hon.
est doubt, even though a practical test
may prove that they were wrong.
The American people, as a whole,
are very conservative and look upon
all innovations with more or less sus-
picion' especially when they relate
10 the AFFAIRS of government. Perhaps
they are too much so, but no one will
say they are not honest in their doubts.
However, when II is believed that
there is any considerable sentiment
In favor OF new methods it should be
needed, even IL the remedy should
prove worse than the disease sought
TO be e~radicated. II a law proves to
be bad 1t can be repealed or its OBJ
Jectionable features removed.
II is claimed that owing to certain
conditions existing in Montana un.
der which the interests of the many
are subyerted to those of the few,
there Is a demand for the enactment
OF a direct primary election law, in
order that the people may have a
greater voice in choosing their public
servants. There Is a suspicion of
demasogism about The demand from
certain quarters of this state, a belief
that there is a desire TO promote GER
tain individual or corporate interests
rather than those of the whole peo-
pie. We trust that this Is not well
founded and that if The state is given
a primary election law it will safely
guard the best interests of this young
commonwealth. Now that there is no.
issue drawn on this question, all par.
ties favoring a primary law, what is
to be gained by urging the ~demagogic
plea of priority of advocacy of such
a measure? In such matters con.
servatism is more TO be commended
than radicalism. Motive and honesty
of intention counts for something. II
it is a good thing the people want it.
II may require a number of years to
determine whether such a law is a
benefit or an injury. The laws being
tried in several states are found 10
be defective, though public opinion is
sustaining the system where tried.
A law that will answer in n state
may not suit conditions in another.
If Montana is soon TO have the di.
rect primary system of making nomi
nations and we will credit all parties
with sincerity in the stand taken, 1T
is well to consider some of the OBJ.
jections urged against the plan where
it has been tested. Minnesota offers
the best example Of the kind and
while much fault is found with the
law as constructed in that state, the
idea or purpose of the law is upheld
by a majority of those who were can
didates for Office, as well as by the
press and the people.
1t will be remembered that at the
very first test of the new law several
years ago, the notorious Doc. Ames
was foisted upon the Republicans OF
Minneapolis as their nominee for may.
or by the Democrats and others of his
personal following, although the Re
publicans. as an organization, were
supporting another man. Everyone is
familiar with what followed. There
could not have been "A worse result.
In this instance the primary law fail.
ed to protect the people. 1t is difficult
to determine a voters intention or 10
hold him to his political convictions,
II one party desires TO force a weak
candidate upon the opposition for the
purpose of defeating him at the cleo.
ton which follows, the primary can
be used for that purpose. Only a few
days since primaries were held in Min
nesota for the selection of congress
men, county and city officers, the law
not applying TO governor. Ames was
a candidate for congress, and despite
the fact that he is a convicted Grim
inal he received a heavy vote. Some
of the objections to the law are thai
ii virtually requires we campaigns fol
all candidates for office, one to get
the nomination from their party and
another in the contest with their OPP
poncnts on other tickets. II is rec
commended that the time for filing bt
limited To thirty days prior To the
holding of the primaries. Complaint
is made that leg pulling and grating
prevails to a greater extent than un
der the old caucus and convention
system. Under the Minnesota Law
any man can file for an office, ant
some do it for the notorieiy and ad
"vertisement it gives them. There
were PSI candidates out for a small
, number of Offices. II Is also claimed
that the direct primary system oper
ates TO the advantage of the man in
Office; that his name is more familiar
TO the voters and that he has a bet
| ter organization, that In some in
, stances the strength developed at tn,
primaries discourages opposition ant
in n district in Minnesota the Dem
ocrats will have no candida1 fOr con
gress, while a county ticket will no.
: be in the contest in at least one coun