The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-12-16
otherwise have such acquaintance

almost universally Of the latter class and
they are selected by their neighbors be-
cause OF their peculiar fitness in this res
pect. Those selected are generally what
may be c ,lled the best informed men of
the precinct and of equal or average in
tegrity. The people Of any community
generally prefer, to, and do recognize
their best man on such occasions-men
not necessarily more honest but possess
ing greater fund OF information con-
cerning the candidates, their character,
qualification and ability and to that ex-
tent believed to exercise better .judg-
ment than the entire mass. "a.
No one ever objects to this system but
recognizes its superiority if honestly and
fairly conducted. !
The county conventions being com:
posed OF these will select delegates from
the several precincts, are then the better
judges of the qualification and fitness of
the several candidates for county Offices.
But often in this aggregation OF good
citizens OF the county, great proportion
will have little knowledge of candidates
for state offices in other sections OF the
state. But as before, there will always
be quite number WHO have more OF
less Knowledge ots the public men and
candidates throughout the. state. And
just as that character of men were elect-
ed from tile precincts, SO also those OF
the wider range of knowledge and ac
quaintance will De selected by the coun-
ty conventions as delegates to partci-
pate in the State conventions and Tor the
same reasons suggested, will be better
fitted to determine who shall become the
party's nominee for state Offices. .hat
men acknowledge this truth. is evident
from lhe fact that the county conventions
invariably select sucn men.
1t is far more easy for all Unworthy
candidate 10 deceive large number Of
the public who do not know him than to
deceive a comparatively lew people who
do know him.
An individual selects an agent to rep.
resent him IN any transaction because of
THE peculiar fitness and knowledge of
such agent with the subject matter. The
precincts and the counties naturally do
the same.
Our iorefathers adopted representa-
tive form of government and not dem
ocratic form. because they knew the for.
mer Was best adapted and fitted in gov.
erning large communities. That system
has withstood all assaults. Ii we can
prevent its abuse, it will always secure
for us the best results.
Can We retain the good features OF this
representative method of selecting dele.
gates, require the assent Of majority IN
nominating party candidates, proven,
the adherants of one party from influenc-
cling or making the nominations for the
other party, and at the same time, elm.
mate "Bossism and Machine Politics. ("
We believe this can be done and done in
a simple manner. To this end is sub.
mitted the draft OF the primary election
law which may Justly claim the title: An.
ti-Machine and Anti.Bos Election Law
SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED PRIMARY LAW.
Sec. !. All caucuses to elect delegate s
to county conventions to be held OH 1st
Tuesday in Sept.
All county conventions to meet on End
Tuesday.
State conventions to be held on the
3rd Tuesday. Presidential state con-
ventions are not changed from present
law.) judicial conventions to be held
ON End Friday.
When county is district then county
convention elects legislative candidates.
4 When county is two or more districts
then the Legislative conventions for the
Irrespective districts are held next day.
i When there are two or more counties
lin legislative district then each county
coayention selects delegates to attend. d
Legislative convention on the day follow.
ling.
i Where there are two or more districts
J, in = county the delegates elected BY the
precincts to the county convention ma,
also be delegates to the legislative con.
lyention, or others may be selected B,
the precincts. H M
Ths delegates o the county convent
lion will meetsimmed diaielysater in con,
missioner district conventions and ballo
1 Ifor county commissioner candidahes.
,,iSsc.2 The county au.'itor shall ap
point the places Tor helding Icaucuse. !,
4 lthe precincts '.and shall tolIpw Is nsa
J, Ias may BE- expressed wishes Of the conn
4 liy centrsi commiste !, The auditorais,