Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-01-09

and discussion have strengthened my
belief in the system of nominations by
direct vote Of the primary electors.
then said that as between nominations
by mere plurality and nominations
by convention was inclined to favor
the latter. Upon this point and upon
this point alone, have my opinions
experienced a change. Further study,
reflection and observation have con-
WINGED me that we must either accept
the primary system in so far as 1t is
applied, with direct nominations, as
a whole, or the convention system as
q whole. With these alternatives be-
fore me, have no hesitation in de-,
claring that / am for the primary
system of nominations by plurality,
rather than of nominations by con-
yentions. If there were any practic-
able plan through which the voters
could work out their second choice I
would gladly endorse it, but after
giving to the subject all, the thought
Of which am capable, and giving
to the laws of other states the most
exhaustive study, I am unable to dis
cover any workable arrangement
through which the voters can ex-
press their second choice. The law
that controls or regulates the nomina-
ton of candidates for Office has no
element Of partisanship in it. There
Is no reason why the members of one
party should be for it and the mem
bers of another party against it. Nor
has it any element of factionalism in
it. There is no person wise enough
to predict how such law may affect
him personally, and no man should
be unpatriotic enough to attempt it.
The man who favors or opposes such
a law because he believes that for the
time being it will promote or retard
the fortunes of any particular person
or company of persons is unworthy
of the citizenship he enjoys. TLe
movement for nominations by direct
vote is simply a part Of the mighty
forward march of civilization. 1t is
nothing more than recognition of
the fundamental truths of the declar-
alton of independence and an effort
to bring our laws into harmony with
the framework of free institutions. 1t
is part of the universal demand that
the voters shall do nothing by proxy
save those things which, in the very
nature of our government must be
done by proxy. Constitutions can be
made by the voters, and therefore
they are made by the voters. Laws
which comprise infinite detail cannot
be made by the voters in their orig
inal capacity. and therefore you are
liz VI OAlSS VI lllS NOlctS VI Tic SIellS
of Iowa for the enactment of laws.
Nomination for office can be made by
the voters, and therefore there should
be no such thing as a proxy interview
ing between the voter and his choice.
I have said that the system Of nom
nations by direct vote is but pha e
of a uniform and continuous advance
of the people. 1t began in the early
days of the republic. Originally the
mr. MI o. M wi or M
United States were elected by a proxy,
and the electors were expected to use
their own judgment respecting the Sc
lection. 1t was not long, however,
before this idea became intolerable,
and the present plan was adopted,
which is the nearest approach to an
election by the voters that is possible
without change in the constitution.
For years the voters have, in sub
stance, voted for the president and
vice president. for 1t is hardly posi-
Bile to conceive Of an elector venture
some enough to disobey the implied
command put upon him by the vot
ers Of his state.
Election of Senators
Senators of the congress of the
United States are still elected by
proxy, but the general assembly of
the state Of Iowa and the conventions
Of the several political parties have
repeatedly declared for change In
the constitution that will require their
election by a direct vote, and in sc
doing they have been associated In
action with the legislatures and par
ties of more than one-half the states
Of the union. Every lover of his
country must see how important 1t is
to make the voter as Influential as
possible in the management Of tblie
affairs. Our government is founded
upon the vital thought that the citi-
enough to hold opinions and to ex-
press them. The clear trend OF
modern reform is toward the enlarge
ment of his power and the awakening
Of his sense of responsibility.
Some Counties Have Primaries
The dominant party in this state
has, in many counties, recognized
| the supremacy of the voters, and has
| established county primaries for the
nomination Of county officers. I doub'
whether single county could be in
duced to return to the old plan. The
system of caucuses and conventions is
not only full Of opportunities for the
exercise of pernicious influences
which may and often do neutralize
and destroy the will and wish OF the
L NOLSISs Dul, .IloWSFSl LdIlIy SdIIlSS
on results, ordinarily, in nomination!
by skilled leaders and expert manip-
ulators. rather than by the people
The caucus gives proxies for all the
voters Of the party 1t represents, FOL
the county convention. The count,
convention gives proxies for all thu
voters of the county for the distric
or state convention. And thus, wher
the end is finally attained, the out
come may not be what the voters
want, but what twice removed dele.
gates may want. I have no doub
that oftentimes the delegate pla1
does register the desire of the vot.
| ers, but 1t fails SO often that it ough
not to be preserved.
Asks Questions
| How man, Of you would favor thu
election Of state end county officer.
and representatives in congress b,
/ delegates chosen in caucuses and con.
ventions? venture to say, not on,
Of you; and yet the election Of candi.
dates to office Is not more importan
than the selection of candidates TO,
| the general election. Some most ex.
cellent men who are opposed tt
primary elections seem to think tina
the only purpose of such system i
i 70 nh :.