The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1906-01-12
Primary Reform.
Some of Its Provisions. Cause of Its
Enactment.

In 1900, Justus Stearns, ID. Nj. Ferry
and A. T. Bliss contested for the republi-
can gubernatoriai nomination. Large
sums of money were expended by the
agents of these candidates and corrupt
practices were employed. AS result OF
this canvass, men in this state opposed to
money tainted politics asked if some
change in our nominating methods could
not be made which would do away with
the use of money. Many of the daily
papers of the state began to urge with
great vehemence the adoption of direct
nominations. AS result of this propa-
ganda many people lost sight of the
original cause of the agitation for pri-
mary reform, and began to theorize
and speculate as to the effect on state
politics of the application of the direct
nomination system. Very many seemed
to accept it with unquestioned faith as
its practical workings in states where
experiments along this line have been
tried.
In 1903, the legislature passed bills
giving direct nominations to Wayne,
Kent and Muskegon counties.
In 1904 the matter became party
issue. The democrats declared in favor
of compulsory direct nominations for all
parties and ali elective offices from
governor to constable. The republicans
expressed themselves as favorable to
trial of the experiment, but only in those
political districts where the people desired
that the trial be made.
The legislature following passed bill
in accord with the republican platform,
except that it provided for the direct
nomination of governor and lieutenant
governor, various features of this measure
have met with much criticism and we
are told that it is not satisfactory to the
great mass of our people. | desire in
series of short articles to discuss the
different provisions of the bill, and give
some reasons why they were embodied in
the law.
The first section provides that when
the qualified voters of any party in any
city, county or district" shall decide in
favor of using the direct voting system
then all candidates of such political
party In said city, county or district
shall be so nominated Objections have
been raised to this section. Let US see
just what it means.
Where thesystem of direct nominations
has been tried for any length of time
certain evils have developed for which
etfectual remedies must be devised be-
fore 1T can he called a success. 1t is still
in the experimental stage. We all de-
sire to make our nominating methods
cleaner.
This plan may make them worse.
On this point men differ
If the citizens of Lenawee county, for
instance, desire to try the experiment
they may do so. Van Buren, county can
not prevent it. If, on the other hand,
Van Buren, county voters do not care to
make the change, Lenawee county can
not compel her to do so. Is there any
thing wrong about this? If Allegan
county republicans wish to nominate by
direct vote, while Alegan democrats
and prohibitlonists do not the repubi-
cans may do SO, but they cannot compel
the democrats and prohibtionists to do
likewise On the other hand, a minority
party may adopt this new plan without
waiting the motions of the majority party
What is wrong about this?
But some one says, "Why not submit
the matter to the whole people of a pc.
litical district?
The platform and candidates of par
ty are submitted to the people as whole
al the election. If unsatisfactory, can
didates and platforms will be defeated.
The members of political party deslr-
ing the election of its candidates have
the right to say who these candidates
shall be and how they shall be selected
o0itbout being dictnted 10 or controlled
IN any loay by political enemies iabo.inG
for the doo0naH ofthe party. The state
ment of this principle carries with it its
own proof
No fair minded man can say, or will
say, that parties and political districts
should not have the right of home rule
in this matter
1t seems to me that we must look fur
ther than the first section of the bill to
find grounds for valid criticism.
JASON WooDMAN.