The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-28

There has never been such general
QUERY against the primary election law
as this fall. and the system has evidently
come TO crucial test. The public seems.
70 Ike the idea in a general way, but its
ABUSES must be corrected or there will
De an agitation of the strongest kind for
repeal and a return to the convention
system. The principal fault is the preva-
renee OF cross voting, and several rem
eales Tor this have been suggested. One
was mentioned in this column few days
cit was suggestion that any nomi-
nee pc required to get certain percent
age OF the vote his party cast in the last
electlon, In order to get his name on the
pailot. Alderman Satterlee of Minneapo-
us mas proposed a similar scheme, requir-
ing tnat candidate at the primaries
must poll more than half of the vote his
party cast in the last election, in order
70 be given a nomination.. ~. s. a. b.
= Another way of getting AT the thing is
py, requiring registra tion.ss. w. -.;Pa4 Rob
erts Of this city, is in favor of requiring
reslstrat1on two years In advance. He
would have each voter at the general
electlon. asked after he has cast his vote:
10 you wish to participate in the pri-
mares OF your party two years from
now II the voters says yes, he would
De registered, and made to state what
party primary he desired to take part In
IN this way he would remain on record
1or nearly two years. Others would APP
ply the registration feature, but would
nave the registration done only a short
tlme before the primary long enough to
put men on. record The Little Falls
transcript looks at it in this way:
Some features of the old registration system
might with profit be applied to the primary
eiectton. II would seem reasonable that a voter
Mno oeslred TO take part in naming party candi-
a aate should establish his right to do So To
Vote at general election a voter must qualify
as TO age, residence and citizenship. If he
Wlsnes to take part in party nominations he
snould also. qualify to that a reasonable time
oeiore ne votes. A. registration day for primary
elections could be held some weeks before the
gate Tor voting, and the politics of those de-
string to vote then ascertaned. Very few would
VI could m1srepresent their party affiliations
some Gays before the primaries, especially as the
lists OF voters could be posted publicly.
or course this scheme would discoura ee
independent voting, and reduce the num-
per OF votes cast at the primaries. be-
cause OF the publicity, and also because
OF the extra time and trouble required
1t IS evident, however, that something
must mus be done, to correct the present con-
Ati0 ooe1io VI cOllITOl issue. Is assuming
some proportions, and the democratic
press bureau has taken notice Of the
charges made that the present admins
tration has dragged the board into poll
TICS. On behalf Of L. Rosing It ia
maintained thatz4fess has not taken part
IN any caucus convention, and has
not used his position at any time to
grant political faNors or places. He has
studtously kept away from the state head
quarters. The republicans admit this.
put insist that Mr.. Rosing has been I'M
able to keep out of the game, and THAI
ne Is not only in the administration coun-
c1is,5Ebut is in, frequent; communication
Win 5democra a leaders oyer the state. d.
me democratic Committee says that
MT. Leavitt. has no right to make crit
,clsnss since ne made a. political speech
IN Llteh1sld two, years ago: The facts
.spa " 9ataeaneeting and sat In the au-
dienee, But that before adjournment the
chairman called on him., and he made
some remarks commencing the record of
R., C..@Dunn. a.r ...-.,[ -
Inc board IS doing it's duty in keeping
tne institutions free from political in
nuence but it is evident that the mem
oers or the board are human, and t
refrain from taking an, interest in the
passing political show. Judge Could
whose term expires next April, is the
only: one that isn't saying word. -
From Cass county it. is reported that
tnere will be a. contest over the repubH-
can nomination for county auditor he
cause the vote of several precincts was
! thrown out. No contest of a, primary
elect1on result has ever been made since
the Minnesota primary law went into ef-
1ect. Another one may occur in Bel
tram1 county. where the inclusion of the
yea Lake agency vote involves the result
OF a contest'.sf for county commissioner.
Inc question will probably be taken to
court to determine whether the agency
vote should be included. The trouble
! with contested nomination is that the
time is SO short for getting a determine
zion that 1t is. hardly possible for CON
! testant to win out and get his name on
the oailot. 1T was this trouble that led
| TO settlement Of the Buchanan Foster case
four years ago. - :. -,
| sherman S. Smith Of MINNEAPOLIS is
| thinking of becoming a candidate for
| chief clerk Of the house. He has been a
| mousse member ne in two legislatures, and
the other day was one of the 'salso rans,,
IN the race for sheriff Of Hennepin. /
| e, a.fass:' + Charles B. Cheney
| 80 = a 60