Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-11-16

lal1lC ne party must not forget That
1t has a duty to perform in making
good tie pledges made III the Bill
inSs Hatlorm as regards the rc.Orm
measures. the initiative and relcren-
DUN, the fellow servant law, a rail
road commission and the direct PR
mary election law.
Beng the first party to hold n state
CONVENTION and the first to declare
EneoIiyocally for such legislation the
people will expect it TO fulfill It's
promises. 1t would seem a great op.
Dorunity for the Republican party
of dontana. II should take the bit in
Us teeth and force the matter of APP
prevail or dIsapproval up to the Dem.
,CatiC governor of the state.
n this connection We wish TO
spak particularly Of the direct pri-
mlry election law. Though this may
a first cause some antagonism
through prejudice and long assocla-
ton with old methods of naming can
Cdates for office. it is "a growing,
burning question in several of the
great states of the union. Governor
laFOllctte of Wisconsin. has Just
won a great victory with the pri-
mary election law as one of the i'm
p0riant issues of the campaign; Chas.
s.. Deneen, the Republican candidate
for governor Of Illinois, has carried
that state by 200. 900. and made dt-
rect primary elections the chief issue
In the POO counties OF the state, and
in SO doing he was supported by such
papers as the Chicago Tribune and
the Record-Herald. papers that are
lar from being radical III their views.
The fact Is the demand for this re-
form Is becoming universal. II is
evident the people are getting tired
of the old method of placing men in
nomination for their sulfrages. They
prefer the rule and decision of the
many TO that of the few, who are
too often controlled Ivy selfish or per-
sonal interests in the manipulation
OF caucuses and conventions.
II is evident that Montana is ready
for this change and it will be a lie
adjunct to the Australian ballot sys-
ten.
Ii is noticeable that in several
strong Republican counties in this
state the head of the ticket received
generous support. while the local
ticket in part or in the majority, was
defeated. Granting that voters will
exercise greater freedom in voting
when it ONE to purely local Offices,
than they do on the national and
state tickets, that they are governed
by personal friendships and better
knowledge of the fitness of candidates,
and various other reasons, is IL not
then very urgent where men regard
party lines so lightly. that they have
more voice in making the nomina.
tons? II party men participate IN
placing a candidate before the poo.
pie for election they will naturally
ieel greater obligation in seeing that
he is elected. II is true that the
party Is supposed TO be represented
in conventions by their chosen repre-
sentatives. but in local politics this
is not always the case. Too often ev
erything is cut and dried before hand
and the end is seen from the begin
ming. Oftentimes lei from rural 10
c~alities who attend conventions have
honest doubts about certain nomina
tons, but they do not profess to be
politicians and not coming In con
tact with large numbers of the vot
ers surrender their doubts for tht
sake of harmony and the good of the
party. They wanted to be honest and
sincere with the people but were
afraid they might be mistaken II
their Judgment.
The primary law would prevent cor
poration and individual dictation In
the matter of making nomination.
and give every man aspiring for ;
place a chance before his party, re
moving all OF the prejudice that nov
exists against clique or machine
methods.
Since the recent election in thi.
county several Republicans have beer
heard TO say that there is no Repub
lican party in this county any more.
We do NOT take that view of the re
turns. The ticket half way dowI
shows that there is a good, big Re
publican majority and when Ia comet
TO the local candidates there are sew
eral who have majorities which SHOW
conclusively that the county Is Re
, publican.
But we must admit that in purel.
local affairs the electors will vote 70
men instead of party principles, be
+ lieving they express their conviction
in voting the national and Legislative
ticket. Whether right or wrong tina
is the view they take. and In this n
I spect there are Gfher counties in III
| 7 gtafA urhara tbn yoratnhAr uyng Jf.In
r ly in evidence al the polls.
All things being equal, or nearl
so, we believe garty lei should stan
by their local ticket. 1t is the onl
Y way 10 keep up the interest and mar
Y tain an effective organization. but !
order 10 get them to do this the grea
est care shoutd be taken to avoid mil
takes at the primaries and in tn
convention.
We have no time for those VIII
abuse men because they take an II
terest in politics, give their time an
talents and labor for the success {
d the party. There are only a sma
= number of men in every communit
Ia who have any capacity 10 do e%ifectiN
work. II is a natural gift which on
Al . few men possess. Their servic,
ID will he needed even when the dire
Is primary law Is in full operation.
We say to the Republican legisl
: tors of this county, go to Helena, d
I" termined to carry out the pledges
&c the state platform. The people a
evidently ready for a direct primal
election law.
When they take a larger part
placing candidates in nomination p'
I'd haps they will ratify their own
lection when they go to the polls
" vote. This will determine wheth
iB the many Judges are better than q