Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-01-28
600
PRIMARY ELECTION.

The general interest in the matter
of primary election and in the bill
that has been agreed upon by a eau
Gus of those who have announced
change in the manner of selecting
candidates for office, leads the Tri-
bune this morning to present the full
text of the measure supported by the
caucus of primary election supporters.
It may be stated that the present bill
is more radical and far reaching in it's
scope than any bill or law now in eff
feet except that in Wisconsin, whose
merits remain yet to be determined.
1t is probably true that a number who
have enrolled themselves in the eau
> Gus list of supporters Of primary
law do not favor a law so sweeping in
its general scope as this bill. There
are those who believe in primary cleo
ton, but who believe also that grad
y ual and careful progress along con-
sentative, lines is apt to be produc-
tive of more genuine Improvement in
the system of nominations for Office
than is complete and radical change
from one system to another, whose
merits have not been tested and
whose advantages are yet to be deter
mined by practical test. The theo-
retical merits of new laws are not ad-
ways realized in practical working.
To say that the present system of
nominations is so complete failure
as to call for radical and entire
change is, Of course, to say that per-
sons nominated under the present
system are generally unrepresentative
OF the people and not such persons as
would be chosen did the people have
the means of saying directly who is
to be nominated. 1t is for the legis-
lature to say whether the present sys-
TEN of nomination produces officers
SO thoroughly unrepresentative that
a sweeping and radical change is
necessary.
The Tribune is in favor of a careful
and conservative primary law, giving
the greatest possible opportunity for
a full and free expression of public
opinion, and yet SO safe guarded that
party individuality be not destroyed,
and so framed that it shall not be pos
s1ble for greater evils to grow up
than those now complained of. It is
not prepared to lend its unqualified
Endorsement to the complete and
sweeping change proposed in this bill.
1t is willing to fly SO far in the face
OF certain well defined popular SEN
tlment as to say that if this bill is
passed and becomes a law, it would
disappoint even its most earnest ad-
vocates. r..
The loudest and most insistent adj
yocates Of reform are not always
those it is safest to follow. Improve
ment usually follows along conserva-
tive lines. If the people of the state,
as represented in the legislature
want an opportunity to test an entire
change in the present system, they
are likely to get it. But wise con-
sideration for the lasting benefits to
ARISE out Of real reaform in nomina-
ton and elections should lead think
ing men to take care that the cause
pc rot retarded by too rapid changes.
Some Of the advocates of a sweeping
change are doubtless honestly Of the
belief that the present system is a
complete failure. Some are acting in
response to what they believe to he
a well defined sentiment on the part
OF their constituents. And some, we
Tear, have joined in the movement
trusting that new system OF nomd-
nations might enable them to reach
honors coveted but not attainable as
yet under the old method. The ban
ner that is marked reform" is
tempting one under which to enlist.
but he who enIists should look to II
tnat his wage be substance and not
shadow.
the matter 70 one that deserves
honest and careful consideration and
It must not be claimed that there is
no room tor an honest difference Of
opinion Let US have q fair and open
discussion OF the several systems pro
posed and out Of It all may come a
blll that will represent the best fruit
g serious thought and that gives