The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-08-05
Edif0rioI Comment.
The State Issue.

With the nomination of state ticket
and the adoption of state platform by
the Michigan democracy, the issue may
be considered fairly joined, and the cam
paign is on, with every assurance of re-
publican success by a magnificent ma
jority.
OF course the chief interest centers
about the governorship. The democrats,
from party standpoint, doubtless did
the wise thing in refusing to nominate
Justus S. Stearns. While he would per-
haps have drawn more republican votes
than any other man, the taking ur of a
candidate thrice turned down by the re-
publicans could not have failed to Gre
ate dissension and DISCRIMINATION in
the party, and be could not have won.
We regret, as do all republicans, that
Mr.. Stearns has made the mistake of
coming out as a democrat He has been
honored by the republican party, and is
not in sympathy with democratic prin-
ciples except on the one local and tran
STORY issue of so called primary reform"
AS to the personality of the democratic
gubernaterial nominee, Prof. w. n. Fer
ris, there is no one among the republi-
cans who has a word to say derogatory
to his ability and integrity. But when
that is said, no more stands in his favor
than can be said with equal truth of the
republican candidate, Fred M. Warner,
gan's sterling young manhood-for he is
careful and successful in his business
affairs, clean in his personal life and
gentlemanly always So as to the candi-
dates themselves there is no room for
mud singing" and the issue in the state
resolves itself into the question of demo
cratic or republican ascendancy-and on
that issue there is 20 doubt as to where
Michigan stands.
There is but one question of state i'm.
portance on which the parties are at
variance, and that is as to the character
of a primary law that shall be enacted
The democratic platform declares fol
the nomination of all candidates by
direCt vote of the people, with al
the opportunity for fraud, boodling ard
corruption that has frequently beer
pointed out by The True Northerner
with all the evils of minority nomina
tons and all the immense power in the
dictation of nominations that such sys
tenn would give to the large cities, which
are the natural home of political cor
ruption in all parties.
The republican platform, on the Other
hand, declares for "home rule" in the
matter of primaries that each county
should at its own option nominate by
the caucus and convention system or by
direct vote; that the state convention:
should continue, and that by whichevei
system the various localities choose del
egates to state conventions, all caucuse:
and primaries should be held on the
same day. We consider this much the
more tenabe position. If the majority il
Van Buren, county favor the direct nom
ination system, for instance, we are per
fectly willing to abide by their will. Blu
il the majority favor the continuance o.
the convention system, we do lot wish
direct nominations forced upon us 10y
the selfish political schemers of Wayne
and Kent counties. The republican plar
would give fair trial to the primary
system, and il it should be found as gooc
az its advocates pretend to believe, it,
very merits would soon make the people
unanimously in favor OF its universe
adoption. We believe in the right o