Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1905-10-06
THE DIRECT PRIMARY.

IIiE DlNENI FRiNlhNIs
In a letter to Chairman Baker,
indorsing the plans for Republican
peace conference, Judge J. L. Collins,
the well-known lawyer Of this city,
says:
''The party ought to maintain its
organization which is not unlawful
nor does it interfere with the rights Of
anyone It merely secures harmon
ious unity of action among men who
agree together upon certain principles
and policies, and methods Of carrying
them into effect. 1t is in my judgment
best for the success Of these principles
that the state, county and preciDt con-
ventions be held, and make nomina-
tions as heretofore, of such candidates
as they think best TO carry out the
settled policies Of the party. The
voters at the primaries can ratify
these nominations, or they can veto
them and substitute others, if they
see fit. But il we go to the primary
polls without previous consultation,
we go like anarchists and fools to
almost certain defeat-a meIe mob
meeting well-disciplined foe"
Judge Collins is good citizen and
loyal Republican, and, as such, his
opinions are entitled TO respect and
consideration. He was a member Of
the convention that organized the Re-
publican party in Oregon, in 1862, and
he has had the welfare Of the party
deeply at heart through all the years
that have followed. AS republican
desiring Republican success, it is
evident that he sees breakers ahead, if
the convention plan shall be aban-
doned and the new 'direct primary"
law followed strictly in spirit and in
letter. A great number Of Republicans
will he inclined to share Judge Col |
Inns opinion, but the OBSERVER doubts |
II his suggestions will meet with |
popular approval in the state. The |
direct primary law was promoted and
adopted with the sole object Of getting |
away from the convention plan Of |
making nominations and placing this |
power directly in the hands Of the |
people. Such being the case, it is
highly improbable that even recon-
mendation Of candidate would meet
with favor among the voters at this
time, we're it to come from any political
gathering partaking Of the nature Of
a convention.
The direct primary law is nothing
ohOrf ~ a rauoItttfop ory ynaoo,1ra In
that it casts aside precedent and tradi-
ton and strikes out on lines entirely
new to American politics. Radical as
was the change, the people wanted itor,
at least, thought they wanted it; and
now, that the new law is in force, they
will not be inclined to give their ap-
proval to any attempt to slide around
its provisions and follow the old
method Of selecting candidates, even
should they be given an opportunity
to pass upon the fitness OF such candi-
dates before placing the ticket in the
field. The people Of Oregon, having
voted themselves a new power, are
anxious to use it, and will doubtless
insist upon making all nominations
at first hand.
The OBSERVER heartily agrees with
the opinion expressed by Judge Collins
that it is unwise to enter upon a
campaign without first reaching an
agreement upon important principles
and selecting suitable candidates to
carry those principles into effect
Without such procedure, there can be
no unity of action, and "go-as-you-
please" policy will prevail. But a
majority Of the voters Of Oregon have
decreed that the time-honored method
OF formulating a platform OF party
principles and nominating men to
carry out those principles shall be
abandoned, and the Republican party
would take the risk of losing more
than 1t would gain by attempting to
hold any meeting in the nature of a
nominating convention next spring.
We believe that large majority Of
Republicans will oppose any attempt
10 hold state, county or precinct con-
ventlons while the direct primary law
is in force. The new law was designed
to do away with nominations by con- ,
ventions, and as long as it is on the
statute books, its every provision
should be strictly observed.
The writer would not have it under
stood that he favors the direct primary
system Of nominating public officers.
In common with many citizens Of Ore
gon, he voted against the law, believ-
ing itto be unwise, expensive and i'm 7