The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-03-12

GUTHRIE. OKLA MONDAY, Ma
tain conditions. appeal more strongly
to him than his loyalty to the public
welfare; and when such conditions
are brought about the public is apt
TO suffer a betrayal Of its dearest IN
terests.
It would therefore appear to be the
part OF wisdom to avoid that condition
Of things which places the power Of
the people where It may become the
easy prey of persons aud influences
hostile to public welfare; and this can
be best done by reserving to each and
every citizen the direct exercise Of his
individual rights and powers in all
public AFFAIRS. To this end the pri-
mary election law has been devised,
and experience has already taught us
the benefit TO be derived from its
adoption and use Wherever it has
been tried under anything like fair
conditions. 1t has found such strong
favor with the masses OF the people
that they have refused to return to the
delegate convention. method OF nomi-
mating candidates for public Office.
While no well informed person viii
undertake to say that the primary
system Is without objection, it can be
safely asserted that it is more safe.
more satisfactory. and productive of
better results generally, than the con
vention system. 1t makes for better
government in at least three import.
ant respects:
l. II shears the politician Of his
power to dictate nominations.
1t minimizes the opportunity for
the corrupting use of money in the Sc
lectlng of candidates.
3. 1t brings all aspirants for pptlic
Office under the calcium light of public
Investigation and general discussion,
: thus giving the people ample time and
opportunity for careful, deliberate and
Intelligent selection of candidates
Further, il may be said that the ef
feet upon the masses is wholesome
and beneficial generally; that it en-
courages interest in public affairs; is
educative Of the public mind inspires
effort for good government; allays dis
I content and distrust and enlists theii
; more general and hearty support OF
e public officers in tho enforcement oI
the laws
The primary system is destined tC
. undergo a considerable evolution be
{ fore it IS finally brought to it's highest
o degree of perfection and usefulness
but it has already solved one of tn,
o most serious and perplexing questions
d which has agitated the pubic mind
+ in demonstrating that the olisarch!
: known az the United States Senat,
d can be brought again under the vii
s. of the people through primary nomi
+ nation. thus securing in effect thei
n popular election, as is done in som
IS OF the states.
e That mistakes will be made, and il
Ie competent and dishonest men some
r times be chosen in primary election
" Is to be expected, but the honest mi,
~ takes Of the people is not so much Z
,e be feared as the selfish and corTuT
TO design OF the political cormorant, eve
le lowering over the political convention
n ready to swOop down upon and deyor
every public interest exposed to hi
lie voracious appetite.
ut The full, fair and equal participI
u tion in the selection OF party cand
to dates is more than privilege; It is
y right. inherent and fundamental, an
n is as important as it is sacred. It
ir part and parcel of the basic principl
Id upon which free government rest
OF Equal rights to all, special priv
to leges to none"
ne With aa abiding faith in the wi
IT. dom. integrity and sacred rights {
Mt the people of Oklahoma Territory, an
re strong desire for the full exercis
r. and strict preservation of the sam
~ the author framed, introduced an
IL labored for the enactment OF, the Ol
re lahoma primary election law. For Il
I'd imperfections, grave and numerou
p as they may now appear or hereaft'
ne be found. he acknowledges his respo
ct sibility Save one material alteratio
re and a few minor changes rendere
al necessary thereby, made out OF defe
's- ence to the majority oplnion and II
Ia necessity for its concurrence. the la
SO Is what it was originally designed
rs be; but while II may not be perfect
Pr as few untried laws are-it is believe
- that its imperfections are not such
to impair its operation, or ourtall i
substantial benefits. Experience vi
a,