The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-20
NEW PRIMARY BILL;
HOW RECEIVED.
SOME DISAPPOINTMENT FELT IN
NORTH DAKOTA. -
Sweeping Sharpe-Davis Bill Was What
the Radicals Notwithstanding
Passed by the House Distrusted by
Some Because Favored by the "Ma-
chine.'' ..'.., = 20. q
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal .... .s.
Grand Forks, N. D., Feb. 20.-It is about
seven. years since the direct primary was first
suggested for North Dakota. Then it was
laughed at as an impractical dream. Two years
ago, the movement had grown to such proper
lions that the state convention thought 1t wise
to recognize Its existence, and formal reso-
luton favoring a primary law, tho without
speciica lions to what sort Of law was favored,
adopted. The failure of the eighth legis-
lative assembly to pass a primary law was
for the law stronger. Lust summer the tide
was setting strongly In the direction Of pri-
mary reform, and another resolution adopt
ed. This time something has of it.
The primary law just passed is similar in
many of Its features to the Minnesota law. 1t
provides for the direct nomination Of all candi
dates up to and including those for the legis-
lature. The Minnesota plan of the separate
ballot is retained, this being substituted for
the provision in the original bill for the print
ing of the names Of all candidates one
ballot. congressman are not affected by the
direct vote, as in this state they are elected
at large, and considered practically a part
Of the state ticket.
The North Dakota law goes farther than that
of Minnesota. however, in effecting- a marked
change in the method Of selecting state cand-
dates. Under the new law the people, instead
Of voting for delegates to county conventions,
who will elect delegates to state conventions
will vote directly for delegates to the state
Tent1on, the county convention being eliminated.
The good feature Of this is that it places the
voter" In closer touch with the state convention,
and makes it possible for the voters If they
care to take the trouble to exercise q greater
influence on the work Of the state convention
than has heretofore been the case.
No specific provision Is made for the selection
Of delegates to national conventions, and this
matter remains for the time being in the hands
Of the state committees of the various parties.
AS another legislative session will be held be-
fore there is any opportunity to take part in
a national campaign, there will be plenty of
time to take care Of this, together with other
changes which may be needed in the law.
The greatest defect in the law seems to be
the provision fur electing delegates to the state
convention by counties at large. AS in the
average convention several of the larger coun-
ties have been entitled to forty to sixty dele
gates. and it is possible that the rivalry OF
local aspirants for state office may result in
there being two more full sets of candidates
for delegate positions In the field. the number
of names on the ballot may be 50 great as to
be appalling.
There is a good deal OF disappointment on
the part OF the rank and file that the more
sweeping sharpe-Davis bill was not passed. This
disappointment is due in part to the sincere
belief that the measure was meritorious one.
and in part to the fact that the ''machine''
thing that the machine opposes must be a
pretty good thing, and that what the INA.
chine' wants Is bad. Because the machine
has fought the former BILL and because it Pro
a tendency to look on it with suspicion. 1t Is
fact that the present law will tend to inter
fere less with the plans Of the "machine' thar
the other one would have done. but, on the
other hand, 1t is great advance from the con
ditions which exist now.
The law recognizes the principle Of the direct
primary and establishes 1t a fixture In th1t
state by making it apply to city, county .ant
legislative offices. That advantages once gained
by the people, will never be relinquished. Tht
law brings the people one step nearer to thu
state ticket.
Its provision for the secret ballot at STATE
| conventions will make the coercion Of delegates
| a difficult thing. And the provision making tn
| use Of the unit rule a misdemeanor will hav
| an exceedingly good moral effect, even If 1t Ii
| a little difficult to enforce It is safe to sa!
| that had the primary election forces brought ou
this bill in the first place and passed 1t in tn
| face Of the opposition Of the state machine, 1
would have been hailed all over the state as
wise and benehcent measure. AS 1t ts, con
servatives regard it as a substantial victory TO
| the cause Of good government.