Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-01-12
LEWISTOWN, MONT. Jan. II, 1906.
LET US HAVE PRIMARY ELECTION
AW

LAW
In recognition of what was believed
to be the majority sentiment OF this
state the Republicans of Montana at
their state convention held in Billings
in September. 1904, adopted plank
favoring a primary election law In
keeping with the pledge of the party
Senator Waite of this county introduce
ed bill embracing the best features
of the primary election laws Of Min
nesota and Wisconsin. The bill pass
ed the legislature. was signed by the
governor and is now a law of the
state to be taken advantage of by the
people Already Ravalli county has-ad
opted the law and Silver Bow. Cascade
and one or two other counties have
taken steps to submit the question to
the people, through the necessary pc
tition and there is every likelihood Of
a favorable vote in these counties.
Let Fergus county fall into line.
Give the people a chance to say wheth-
er they want to take a more active
part in naming men for county Off
ces.
We here much about party bosses
and the machine" The Republican
party of this state has given the PEG.
pie chance to free themselves from
both. If they are tired of delegated
authority in the naming of candidates
for office they can take a direct and
active part by putting the primary
law into force. We would like to see
it done If the law is defective and
in need of change or amendment il
can be determined by putting it to the
test
The cry all over the land is for bet
ter men and better methods in poll
tics. Republicans generally are with
President Roosevelt in his efforts tc
lead mis- party upon a higher plane
of action. The primary law will be
an aid in that direction
The Democratic organization in this
county is torn by dissensions. Jus,
now the "gOody- goodys" are running
the machine" but the Johns faction
is preparing to move on their works
All are waiting patiently for w A
Clark to open his barrel before they
can begin the work Of prostitutine
and corrupting portion of the vot
ing population Of the county. Now is
the time to head off the debauch by
taking steps to put the primary cleo
ton law in form for adoption Fol
lowing are some of the essential fea
lures of the law:
Iii order to have the question of The
adoption or the rejection of the pri
mary election law submitted to the
voters Of a county. there shall be pre-
scented to the board of county com
missioners of the county at a regula
quarterly meeting of the board priO
to June (Which would necessarily b.
the March meeting) petitions request
ing such submission signed by les
ally qualified and registered voters a
the last general election to a numbe
not less than Is per cent of the tott
vote cast for justice of the suprem
Coull at lllt last t'lttilDH. Ill feTSU
county the number of petitioners r
CURED would be 3S9.
such petitions having been presente
TO the commissioners and found /
them to be as required by law and
contain the required number of qua
fed signers, the commissioners mu
thereupon call a special election, to
held within ninety days thereafter.
which election the question of ado
ton or rejection of the law shall
submitted to vote, this election to
conducted the same as any regul
election except that no previous re
istration shall be required the la
registration being sufficient.
If majority vote against the ado
ton of the law. the question shall n
again be submitted within two year
if a majority favor the adoption of t
law, it shall be declared to be in for
and shall continue in force until
pealed by the legislature
If adopted, the procedure follow
shall be:
Judges of election. for each precr
within the county, shall be appoint
at the June meeting of the board
county commissioners, also regist
agents. The judges at that time
pointed shall act at the Septemt
primary election and also at the gen
al election in November
Registration offices will be open,
each registry precinct, from p.
to s p. IN. from the 18th day of ],
to the 5th day of August and from
a. m. to 8 p. m. from the 5th day
Augusta to the 18th day of Augr
The present registration law appli
provisions everyone will have to I
lister this year, whether previou
registered or not and whether t
primary election law be adopted
rejected, but in either event the res