The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-11
Change in Primary Imperative.

Minnesota s primary election law is
fast growing in disfavor. It's enemies
have grown in number every year since
the law was passed in 1899, and they
are now legion. So much may be easily
CLEANED from interviews printed in
The Journal today, giving the
views Of number of our public men.
Without exception they pronounce the
law a failure as it stands, and many
favor its unconditional repeal. The
majority, no doubt, would prefer to see
the principle retained, but with amend
ments to the law that will wipe out its
most glaring evils. = III. .-.o
The feature most complained. Of is
the participation of democrats in re-
publican primaries, and vice versa
There are various schemes proposed to
stop this, out Of which it is likely that
something can be evolved that is worth
trial .:- ,....
The other faults. in the system, how
ever, are inherent in a direct primary,
and it is hard to see how they can be
avoided. The theory of the law, the
rosy theory whose praises have been
sounded far and wide, is that it places
the power in the hands of the people
themselves. ~: 3
Observers of politics are beginning
to think that this is a piece Of grim
humor. The power is certainly there,
but there are so many ways to fool the
people and make them think they want
something, that a genuine expression
of sentiment is seldom secured. The
victory is too often to the longest
purse. In a large constituency where
the candidate is known personally to a
small per cent Of the people, the big
gest advertiser and the man who hires
the most workers has all the advantage.
A man Of small means is practically
prohibited from running. The primary
becomes sort of free-for-au election
in which money is spent like water.
Instead of corrupting delegates, the
man with the barrel reaches out far
Their to corrupt the whole body polite.
AS a means toward the end of pure
politics, the primary cannot be termed
shining success.
Another unpleasant result from the
primary is the way it lines up the
voters within a party, on opposite sides,
an alignment which is likely to persist
in the general election. Under the con-
vention system voters did not express
themselves Individually as to choice,
and were therefore uncommitted and
-cady to accept the nominee with a
free mind. Under the primary the
voter takes a stand for one man and
against another, or for or against a
principle, plus q candidate, as in our
recent city contest. If his man, does
not win, he is i'll pleased. Having
voted against the nominee plus the is
sue, once, it comes natural to do it
again at the polls. All that seems
necessary to defeat candidate at the
POLLS is to involve him in hot primary
election contest.
The primary law has been tried in
Minneapolis four times, and in the
state at large three times. In it's pres
emit form it has been well tested, and
it has given less satisfaction at each
trial. It may survive another session
of the legislature without serious
change as the result Of a deadlock, but
a duty is certainly presented to our
lawmakers by popular opinion. Let
them either amend the law along some
rational plan to cure its most fragrant
evils, and give it another trial, or
abolish it and 60 back to the conven-
ton system with direct vote for del
egates. -. 81 .slss>s-... WIZ vs.