Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-08-06
PR|MARYLANSUCCES
Initial Trial of New Illinois
Measure Gives { e leral
Satisfaction
FEW IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED
Attic the Law Contained Much That
Voters Were Not Familiar With, Lit
tie Delay or Trouble Was Noticeable
In Saturdays Acknowledgements
i Greater Than Formerly.

chicago. ILL.,, Aug. 6-The initial trial
Of the new primary law Saturday dem
onstrated that, on the whole, it is an
almost unqualified success. This
opinion was expressed by Chief Clerk
isaac N. Powell and Attorney w. w
Wheelock, of the board of election
commissioners and others, who were
directly in charge of the election. as
well as by other men who are qualifed
20 judge of such matters
That the chief object Of the law
the free expression by the voters of
their preferences for political candi-
Aates-was successfully achieved with
out interference was conceded by all.
In addition the machinery needed to
hold them primaries, complicated as 1t
was, worked without a hitch, not
single complaint being received about
legal voters being unable to cast their
ballots. Considering the fact that
the law was an innovation and con-
tanned much that both the voters and
Judges and clerks of election needed to
1amiliarize themselves with, the out
come was the cause of much satisfac-
ton in the CLIFTON commissioners Of
fce.
Attorney Wheelock spent the day
answering questions propounded by
election judges and clerks and was
able to make clear all points that were
brought up.
"All things considered" said Mr.,
Powell, the primary law is an I'M
qualified success 1t should be kept
clearly in mind that the methods first
trial necessarily brings out some
points where it can be seen an inn
provement is needed. On the whole,
however, congratulations are due for
the manner in which it has worked
out.
'oThere was much that both the vot-
ers and the election officials had to
familiarize themselves with, and the
Intelligence shown on all sides speaks
well for the interest taken by them
In the new part of our election meth
DDS.
zone Of the chief objects attained is
giving the voters simple, easy, Sc
cure and secret method Of casting their
ballots. Heretofore voters at primar-
les were punched from several precincts
with the result that there was much
delay and charges of trickery in crowd
Ing polling places so that the voters
were unable to cast their ballots. I'm
der the old system, also, voters We're
approached by ballot peddlers and
sometimes We're subjected to indigni-
ties after they were seen to vote In
certain way.
Protect Voters Rights.
sASaturday there was a polling place
IN every precinct and every man could
enter a booth where he was free to
mark his ballot as he pleased. 1t would
seem to me that nothing but slug
gish public can ever result in the new
system being abandoned.
"Altho it was necessary to make
1900 changes on the backs of the bal
lots in reference to particular pre-
cincts, primary districts and wards,
the details of the taw were SO well
worked out that it was possible to
carry out it's provisions without delay
or trouble.
..If I were asked to suggest any
amendments to the law I would favor
changing it so that electioneering
would be prohibited within $50 feet OF
the nolline places and voters who are
not registered could be given chance
to swear in their votes. The latter
feature will not be Of SO much i'm
portance at succeeding primaries as
they will be held soon after the regis
tration day"
When questioned concerning the cost
OF holding the primaries Saturday, Mr.
Powell said:
'.The total cost will be about 100000.
The cost of holding the last primaries
Of the three political parties, republi-
can. DEM, cratic and socialist, was $4O,-
900. The increased amount of expen-
diture is due to the fact that at the
other primaries there were but 1874
polling places and $500 judges and
clerks of election, while Saturday there
were 1853 polling places and $500
Judges of clerks of election. 1t should
also be taken into consideration that
more ballots were printed this time"
Taken all in ALL" said County Judge
John w. Houston, the experience I'M
der the primary law proves it is long
step in advance over previous primary
laws in this state in obtaining an ex-
preston as to the will of the voters |
1t is greatly in advance of our previous
primary laws, in that every regular
election precinct has a voting place.
This gives every voter an opportunity
to cast his vote without delay. Then |
the regular judges and clerks have |
charge of the election, and voters of
all parties vote at the polling place.
This prevents, in a measure, the trad |
ing Of votes between the different par |
ties. 1t also prevents, almost entirely, |
the temptation on the part of the |
judges to he factionally partisan in the |
fight in their own party.
The preparation Of the two ballots,
one for the candidates and the other
for the delegates preserves some of the
best features of the delegate and con-
vention system.
1.-THE law is not perfect, and expert
ence shows it will have to be changed |
In some respects. 1t has, however,
worked much better than many of its
critics have been willing to admit"
Former Senator w E. Mason also
praised the law, but declared in favor
of direct vote rather than the dele
gate system.
The people have not become used to
the new primary law" he said, land
the rank and file of the voters have not
awakened to the fact that they have
this power in their hands The law is