The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-04-20
FIRST Call UNDER NENFPR|MARY law
orth Dako Election Machinery Put in Motto .
Same Old Fight as in Other States Between
.sMachine" Men and s.'Insurqents."

The Republican state central COM
mittee will meet in Fargo April 81 to
fix the basis Of representation in the,
state convention, and to perform such
other work as may properly come be-
fore It. This being the first year of
the primary election law, great interest
attaches to every step which is taken
with reference to it, and this meeting
OF the committee is one of the neces-
sary steps. The call for the Democratic
meeting has not yet been issued, but
that will doubtless be out soon, as
each party must certify to the county
auditor of each county on or before
May 1 the number of delegates to
which that county is entitled in the
state convention Of the party.
The North Dakota primary law pro-
vides for the nomination by direct vote
OF all party candidates for county OFF,
ces and for state legislative positions,
and for the eelction at the same pri-
mary Of delegates from each county
to the state convention of the party,
which convention Is made part of the
formal nominating machinery of the
state, and which must be conducted
under state laws. Any party which
cast per cent Of the total vote in the
state for governor at the last election
is political party within the mean
ing of the law, and none others are
entitled to its privileges. Under this
regulation there are but two parties in
the state, the Republican and Demo-
cratic, and the provisions of the law
are so vague that the method of Or
ganizing new parties hereafter is left
largely to the Imagination.
Delegates to the respective state con-
ventions are to be elected by counties
at large. It is generally believed that
the Republican committee will appor-
| ton the delegates, one for every 100
votes cast for representative candi-
dates of the party at the last election,
as this will result in convention Of
approximately 500 members, which is
generally considered large enough.
Roughly speaking, on a basis of ora
delegate per 100 votes, Grand Fork
county will be entitled to 26. delegates
Cass to SO and Ward to 40.
Machine Men and Insurgents.
1t is certain that in the average coun-
| ty there will be a struggle for control
of the county delegation, If not in the
interest Of rival candidates from that
county, then in the interest of the
state machine or against it. There
will thus be at least two groups Of
candidates for the position of delegate
ing the interests of the state machine,
working in the interest of that organi-
cation, and supported by it, and the
| other representing what is known as
the insurgent element of the Repub-
lfcan party. That means that in each
of the larger counties there will be
from twenty to forty candidates from
whom selection must be made by the
voter at the primary election.
These candidates will be distributed
all over the county. Most of them will
be men of whom the average voter
never heard, and of whom he knows
nothing more than what some of his
| friends have told him just prior to the
primary election.
1t is manifest that under these con-
ditions the average voter will be una
BILE to make an intelligent selection
from among these numerous candi-
dates on their merits as individuals.
Should he attempt to do so he would
| find himself hoDelessly at sea. 1t is
easy to foresee what will be done. The
state machine. which has it's lieuten-
ants in every county, will make up
| it's slate, and the workers in every
part of the county will be instructed to
urge on the voters to vote for that
particular list of candidates, no mat
ter whether the individuals are known
to the voter or not.
The insurgents will be obliged to fol-
low the same course. The candidates
will be chosen by the committees of
the rival factions, after suitable con-
ference with local and representative
men, for their sympathy with the cause
of that faction, and the voters will
vote, not for individuals, but for is
sues as they understand them, the
candidates simply representing the is
sues.
Just what precise method of fixing
the names Of desirable candidates in
the minds Of the voters will be adopted
is matter that does not seem to have
been worked out. Whether each voter
will be supplied with q list Of candi-
dates who are acceptable to his ele-
ment Of the party, or. whether stickers
will be used, as they may legally be,
Is matter for future decision.
Secret Ballot Unpopular.
Another feature which has been UNI
favorably commented upon, and which
is extremely unpopular, is the provis-
ion OF the law which calls for secret
ballot In convention. All state candi-
n 1. - 4 A.