The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-17
Misconception of the Primary

Misconception Of the Primary.
The supreme court of Minnesota has
decided that the primary election is a
party primary and not an election.
This may seem a subtle distinction,
but much of the agitation over the
| primary law is due to confusion over
! this very point. For instance, many
voters and some newspapers object to
the section in the law which requires
a voter to declare his party affiliations.
They say that this destroys the secre
cy of the ballot and DISTINGUISHES many
voters who refuse to declare their allie
| glance to any party.
| Under the old convention system del
egates were elected at party prima-
ries, and the voter, by attending, pro-
claimed himself a republican or dem
ocrat, as the case might be. Demo
Gratis often took part in republican
primaries, as they did in the guber-
material primaries last spring, but they
were proclaiming disloyalty to their
own party by doing 50. If there was
doubt about a mans political record,
he. might be challenged and compelled
to swear in his vote.
There was no objection to this re-
qulrement. 1t was always held to be
a proper safeguard for the party or
ganization in order to see that repub-
lican candidates were nominated by re-
publicans only.
The direct primary is substitute for
the convention system. 1t is not an
election, in theory at least. 1t is de-
signed to carry the principle of direct
voting by the Australian ballot into the
selection of party nominees. Those
who object to the declaration of party
affliation lose sight of this fact The
independent voter has his chance at
the polls, just as he always did. He
has no more right to participate in
party nominations now than hes had
when. those nominations were made by
delegate conventions.
1t is no wonder that confusion has
arisen over the primary law. The law
presupposes the existence of two par
ties, but there are many counties in
the state where only the republican
party possesses an effective organiza-
ton. In our strong republican counties
the primary has become the real cleo
ton. In many cases the candidates
y nominated at the republican primaries
have no opposition at the general cleo.
ton. The democrats who used to hold
mass conventions and put up a ticket
for looks, if hot for results, are de
tered by the $40 fling fee from max
ing up ticket at the primaries. Hence
If the voter wants to take a hand il
selecting county officers and members
OF the legislature, he must vote at the
republican primaries. In fact, a great
many democrats and independents actu
ally do take part, excusing themselves
. on the ground that the primary is the
real election, and they are entitled tc
=. voice. Naturally they object to thu
= rule requiring them to declare afflia
y ton with the republican party.
This state of things seems to be in
evitable in districts where the part.
- balance has been destroyed. Two year
o ago, in several counties, the repub
i. Leans had more votes cast at the PR
= maries than at the general election, AM
this will doubtless occur again thi
fall. The primary has all the machiner,
l. of a general election, and the two oc
" casions are easily confused by voter
a not versed in politics. However, thi
+ is no argument for throwing the door
n wide open and giving every voter
J. secret choice of party ballots at tn
l. primary. The law does not require
It man to be a hidebound partizan. l
is only expects him to believe in the prin
e. ciples of a party and generally SUP
It port it's candidates. This is no HARD
k ship on the voter. Any man who read
IS and thinks should be able to make
1t choice of party principles and vote &C
&c cordingly, not necessarily straigh
K ticket. The days of "vote FER straight
l. arc passing. D..
n The voter who cannot make up hi
d mind which party to tie to should pa
n the penalty and stay away from tn
II party primaries. He can make hi
e choice in November.