The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-09-21

extra Republican ballots, which indi-
Gates that the Republican vote there is
greater than is usually the case at the
general election. A like condition ruled
in the Fourteenth precinct of the ward,
where 100 extra Republican ballots
were secured. The three precincts
mentioned are what are called the dis
trict beyond the tracks, adjoining
Selb's home, and it is claimed that the
large number of Democrats who asked
for the Republican ballots did so that
they might be able to vote for Selb.
AT an early hour it was practically
conceded that Renville Chinook,
Selbs opponent, was defeated.
News of the conditions in the Fifth
ward spread rapidly, and a general re-
port that as the contests were largely
in the Republican party it's vote would
greatly exceed that of the Democratic
party, resulted in revulsion of feeling
contrary to the future maintenance of
of the direct primary system On all
hands there could be heard a demand
that the next legislature repeal the
primary law and permit a return to
the convention system. City Clerk
Redington spoke along the lines Of
hundreds of others, saying:
1T was shown today that the direct
primary fails to correct the main evil
charged against the convention sys-
tem-that friends of the different par
ties combined to control the nominal
tons of both parties. The most nOta-
BILE instance in proof of this is to be
found in the Fifth ward, where hum
dreds of Democrats voted the Repub-
lican ticket that they might be able to
declare their preference between the
candidates for the Republican nomi--
nation for the legislature. In my
mi t.-iIl to ha nd
more the custom as the people become
more familiar with the primary sys-
tenn and realize that there is nothing
to prevent them voting one way at
the primaries and another at the cleo
ton, and would seem to indicate that
there should be a return to the nomi-
mating convention. On all sides have
today heard expressions opposed TO
the present system of making nomina
lions, which not only increases the
cost to the candidates, but disrupts
party machinery"
AT the primary election two years
ago, before the people We're familiar
with the system, the Democrats polled
1853 votes and the Republicans 1920,
but is is believed that the comparison
for yesterday will be much more in
favor of the Republicans. BY some
1T was predicted that there would be
between 1000 and 5000 more Repub-
asserted that even the Seventh ward
was infected the interest in the con-
test for the Republican nominations
for district judges having led the
Democrats to call for Republican bal
lots.
The city clerks office opened yes
terday at 6 a. M, the same time at
which the booths were opened for vot-
ing. Numerous complaints came from
the judges that the frosty air was far
from comfortable, but by 8 o'clock fuel
had been furnished where it was de-
manded. The morning vote was very.
light except in upper precincts of the
Fifth ward and in a number of the
Seventh ward precincts. but between
z and 8 D. m. there was quite vote,
indicating the growing tendency to
delay registering until after the days
work has been done. 1t is estimated
that almost half of the entire primary
vote polled was between these hours.
From the First, Second, Ninth, Fifth
and Sixth wards came inquiries to the
city clerk and the corporation attorney
concerning the demand of women that
they be allowed to register. thereby
qualifying to vote on the free text
clerk were advised not to accept the
registration of the women until it has
been decided whether it is necessary
for them to register in order to vote on
this question. AS these votes cannot
be polled until the general election it
was not considered necessary to pass
on the question at this time, although
it is not thought likely that the women
will be required to register. 1t was
made evident, however, that the wom-
en- will take an interest in the Ques-
ton and that a large number of votes
may be expected from this source.
= Throughout the city at the polling
81
voters in great majority of cases
went to the polling places alone, and
entering declared their preference for
the nominations and left the booths
generally without making comment or
asking questions. AT no place was a
congestion reported. The judges and
clerks were in all eases able to take
care of the voters promptly.
The most notable individual contest
waged was that by P. c. Justus, seek
ing denomination for sheriff. In al
most every precinct in the city there
were Justus workers to be found, and
in nearly every instance they were
from the Republican organization.
There were number of representa-
tives on hand for M. N Goss, but they
were of different class, largely COM
posed of men who usually take but lit
tie interest In politics. The Goss work
ers did not remain at the polls with
the same pertinacity az did those
representing Justus, and it was early
predicted that Justus would prove an
easy winner.
At majority of the precincts men
were encountered seeking votes for
Republicans asking to be nominated for
district judges, this. being new de-
rarture in local politics. Heretofore IT
has been the custom of candidates for
these positions to make their canvas