The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-11
REPEAL. OF PRIMARY
LAW TO BE DEMANDED
Politicians and Members Of Legislature Unite in Scoring
Present Observation-Disclosures Amendment Probable.
Shall the primary election law be

small Inc primary electlon law pc
repealed9
There are many politicians includ-
Ing members of the new legislature,
who are disguised with the law and
favor wiping it out entirely. One,
member is already drafting bill for
repeal of the law, which he is going
to introduce and make a fight for.
In the face of this sentiment, it is
evident that. a great effort will be-
made to cure the defects in the law by
some sweeping amendments. good
many of the members elect have their
thinking caps on, and a score of bills
will be introduced embodying various
ingenious schemes. There will be bills
to hold the primaries of the different
parties on different days, to require
previous registration of party afflia-
tion, to require candidates to poll a
certain per cent of their party strength
in order to get on the ballot at all,
and bills of every variety. Is
A conference will probably be held in
Minneapolis within two or three weeks
to which members-elect of the legisla
ture will be invited. The idea has orig
mated with the Fourth Ward Repub-
ican club, and it's executive committee
will meet next week and decide on a
date for the conference. 1t is expected
to occupy an afternoon and evening,
change of ideas and discussion of the
different schemes. Sentiment for, repeal
Is expected to crop out strong at this
meeting
Present Law in Disfavor.
The Journal asked for express
sions of opinion on the primary law
yesterday and got number of replies
from men prominent in the political
game. They show many points of view,
but general dissatisfaction with the
law. ...
United States Marshal W. H. Grim
shaw says; "The enactment of the
primary law was the worst thing that
ever occurred to the republican party.
1t is the principal cause OF the recent
political disaster. 1t creates sores in
makes enemies of lifelong friends; it
fosters fractional fights; it promotes
CRAFTS of every sort and makes political
holdups and grating a profession; it
makes it possible for the opposition to
name the weakest candidates in holly
contested places and to work their de-
feat at the election; it makes double
campaign and exhausts the party IN
money and enthusiasm before the real
many harsh things are said in the prl-
mary campaign that it is impossible to
persuade the defeated candidates and
their supporters to support the ticket.
The recent election has shown that.
''The primary law offers opportunity
for all kinds Of political chicanery. If
man appears popular before the prl-
maries, other men of the same name
are induced to file. This was attempted
this wear in the races for probate judge,
county commissioner in the second dis
trict and park and school directorshlps.
Here the system has practically cut off
the country districts from representa-
ton. Where three or four men are run
ming for legislative or board Offices it
is possible for the weakest man to re-
ceive the largest vote by inducing
friends to vote for him alone. 1t
places incompetent men in the highest
prohibits good men from entering the
political arena -. as candidates. It
creates an army Of leg-pullers " and
grafters and makes the election cost
more than the salary of office. 1t keeps
offceholders in place regardless of In
competence and without regard to
merit, favors familiar names. 1t will
make democratic Minneapolis and Hen
nepin county. It is, afbad law for the
dominant party wherever IN force
No Majority Rule.
Judge John H. Steele declares there
is no majority rule under the present
primary law. He says: ~.
"The primary election law is out of
Joint with our form of government. We
have representative government. We
must trust our representatives In the
city council, the Legislature in congress
and even on the supreme bench. We
= must place our trust somewhere In
everything. -
"The primary law submits to the
people for their action matters of vital
Importance to government. These are
often decided without consideration and
oftentimes unwiselX because of ,preju-
dice or passion. There is not the OPP
portunity for deliberation and consider
jority rules in convention and the con-
vention is usually made up of men who
take an interest in politics and in the
welfare Of the city and state, as well
as of party. They know men and issues
and usually produce better results
They are responsible for the nominees
and the party policies.
"Under the primary law there is not
a majority rule, but rule by fraction
al minority. Our government is based
on majority rule. The most objection
able thing is the fact that few men
who would make competent public Off
Gals are willing to go thru the excite
ment and hardships Of a primary cam
paign and the general election follow
ing, If honest in their desire honestl
the primary is to. destroy the independ-
ence of the man, to humiliate him and
to cheaper him before the people. 1t