The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-14
An Obsolete Standard.

The state press is still debating the
problem of the Independent voter. Some
of the editors, who cannot get over the
nightmare experience of last fall, are
harping on the theory that voter has
no right to participate in the caucuses
or conventions of a party, unless he in
tends to support all the nominees OF
that party at the polls. They insist that
the man who "bolts'' single nomina-
ton is lacking in sense of honor and
fair play, and that the voter who will
not swallow the straight ticket is a
traitor and renegade to his party,
and not entitled to benefit of clergy.
Such point Of view was once popu-
lar, but it is no longer held by major
ity of the people. In late elections there
has been an increasing tendency to in
dependence, and the results last fall
showed that the intelligent voter, not
only in Minnesota: but in many other
states, has formed the habit of discrimi-
mating. Comparatively few look on
party loyalty as religion. The voter
may believe in the principles Of party,
and, in the phraseology of the election
law, may generally support' it's can
didates, but he does not feel bound to
vote the straight ticket if nomina-
ton offends his sense Of deccncy or pub
lie morality.
There is distinction to be made be-
tween the Independent voter, who ac-
knowledges allegiance to no party, and
the party voter who exercises the right
to "scratch.' Every voter ought to
have defined position on national ques-
tions. and according to that position
ally himself with the party which
stands for his principles. The man who
cannot locate himself, and belongs to
no party, has no right to participate in
party nominations. There is big diff
ference between such man and re-
! publican or a democrat who thinks for
himself. The theory and language of
our primary system recognizes the lat
ter s right to take part in party nomi-
nations. The attorney general Of the
state has held that the term generally
supported' does not require man to
have voted the straight ticket, but that
adherence to party principles is best
tested by the vote for president and
members of congress, representing ma
tional issues. Both law and common
practice are against the "straight tick
et' shibboleth.
Public morals have unqnestionably
gained by independent voting Corrup-
ton and machine rule have thrived
most where party nomination is equiv
alent to an election. The best public
service is attained where officials are
actually on trial at the polls before a
jury OF their peers, and where the merits
OF the candidates enter into the people 8
Judgment. Men are using intelligence
in marking their ballots, and the party
whip is losing its sting. The average
voter no longer thinks that ''nothing
good can come out Of NAZARETH but
while believing in the correctn of his
party principles, he is willing to adj
NIT that his party can do wrong.
1t is too late for machine politicians
to read out Of the party men who re-
fuse to concede them infallihle. Tho
republican or democrat who studies the
ticket and marks it with discretion is
just as much party man, and bet
ter citizen, than the man who always
"votes Ter straight.''