The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-18
Report of the Voters League.

In theory at least our system Of
nominations for local offices is ideal. |
Practically, it is defective in one par
ticular. It assumes the possession Of
competent knowledge by the voter as
to the qualifications of the candidates,
when as a matter Of fact the voter
may have no such information. tt
may be altogether practicable for him
to get the information, but he may
lack the inclination.
With respect to the most important
offices to be elected in this city new
organization known as the Voters
league has undertaken to remedy the
defect referred to and provide the
voter with the information necessary
to enable him to cast an intelligent
ballot at the primary election. The
first, and, in measure, preliminary
report of the Voters league is pub
lished in this paper today.
This organization, as most voters
In this city probably know, was
formed some six months ago for the
purpose of contributing to a very de-
the administration of the affairs of
this city and county. It is modelled
somewhat after the Chicago Municipal
Voters league, to which is directly
traceable very substantial improve
ment in the composition Of the coun-
ell of that city.
The conditions seem to be more ia
vorable for the accomplishment Of
. satisfactory results here than in Chi
cago. In Chicago nominations are
made under the old convention plan,
and the work of the league becomes
effective only after the nominations
are made. Here nominations are
made by direct vote Of the peo-
pie, and an interval elapses between
the declaration of intention to become
a candidate and the primary election
within which the league may acquaint
the public with the qualifications of
the candidates before they are voted
upon at the primary election. There
remains also the same opportunity
that exists in Chicago to discuss the
character and qualifications of candi-
dates after the nominations are made
The advantage here Is in the oppor-
tunity to scrutinize the qualificat ions
of candidates prior to the nominating
primary If the work of the league is
we'll done it ought to be invaluable tc
the conscientious voter, and we have
confidence that the conscientious
voter is in the majority.
This league is intended to be per.
manent institution. The reader viii
discover from it's address that it pro
poses ito impress upon the voters thu
conviction that honesty and capacity
and not partzan services or good fell
* lowship, are the essential qualification
for municipal Office" And while i
may address itself particularly to TIT
qualifications of candidates for the cit.
council, certainly the same STANDARD
which it sets UP and emphasizes il
the public mind with regard to alder
manic candidates will have an influ
ence upon the selection of all othe
candidates.
sY In helping the public to make al
intelligent choice, the league prom
ises ito do its work without persona
or party bias Candidates will b
recommended for municipal servic
regardless of their attitude towar
the tariff, or the Panama canal or tn
Philippines. And it will be wort
something to get the. municipal voter
in the habit of electing their bushes
agents not with respect to their ma
tional political affiliations, but wit