The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-04-28

ldA ICCOSHlZCu ny law dS u nave leS-
islation surrounding it intended for
its protection against corrupting in
fuences Since 1893 the republican
party has been pledged by its several
state conventions to favor primary
reform, or the direct nomination of
candidates for elective Office by vote of
the people in the primaries; but this
+, pledge has been brazenly violated at
two legislative sessions under the OPP
position of leading politicians.
In 1901, however, the city Of Grand
Rapids secured charter provision
which gave to us the direct nominal
,, Ing system, which has been applied
at three municipal campaigns and has
proven far more satisfactory than the
old caucus and convention system,
which 1t abolished. In 1903 a similar
system was enacted for Detroit and
Wayne county. for Muskegon City,
and for the whole of Kent county. of
which Grand Rapids is the county
seat County nominations will be
made next fall. for this county under
the new system. for the first time.
The sentiment in favor Of primary
reform has steadily gained the sup
port OF the people throughout the
state until now it is generally con-
coded the reform will be adopted at
the legislative session of 1905 for the
whole providing for the direct
nomination Of all elective officers, in
| Guiding governor and members of
congress, with probably provision
for party choice at the ballot box OF
candidates for United States senator,
to be elected by the legislature.
Under our charter provision any
one desiring to become a candidate
for party nomination will, certain
time prior to the primary election, file
with the city clerk his declaration,
stating the party whose suffrage he
seeks, and pay the clerk a candidate
fee of SIS for general city Office, and
IS for ward office, or supervisor at
large, whereupon his name will be
printed by the club upon the party
ticket in the order of his declaration,
under the title of the Office to which
he aspires A separate ticket will he
made up for each party, SO that no
voter can vote for candidates named
on more than one ticket.
The primary election is held twenty
days prior to the general charter
election, and conducted practically ac-
cording to the general election law.
The successful candidate Of each par
| ty for each office, so nominated, is
named on the general official ballet
under the proper title of Office. And
the election is had according to the
general law above outlined.
The politician has not been rele-
gated to the rear by this system, al
though the people seem to think that
he has. He flocks together in his
clique between election times and
plans for the future. The clique in
each party chooses its favOrites for
each candidature, and using the par
ty papers, always under clique influ-
ence, boosts its candidates in proper
shape without disclosing the motive
power to the people. The masses of
the party have been so long accus-
toned to have nominations made for
them that they wait yet, and the
clique managers to create a rivalry
between two or three OF its own for
each Office, and to so interest the vot-
ers Just before the primary election,
In the sham contest that they align
themselves with one or another OF
these contestants. and ignore the
claims of the 'innocents" who seek
once without the aid OF the clique. In
this way the influence OF the politic-
ian remains paramount even under
our reform system because the aver
age voter In q follower OF the leader
and never an independent thinker and
actor.
when a general statute shall have
been enacted In Michigan In 1905. for
direct nominations. We will be sure
tn see the hand of the politician In IL.
The masses demand general primary
law. elect Legislators pledged 10 n.
and then leave thu work of formulate
| Ing the measure 10 the legislature.
This body. M such. never formulates
an important statute That work In
done nv politicians. and the smaller
politicians that make up the lerisla-
tive hody~-the county supervisors pro-
Noted 10 the Legislative halI~-aceept
the work az the praesiea. politicians.
and ieEAiise u. The poor people must