Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1907-03-22
THE DIRECT PRIMARY.
What Senator cotteriIl Thinks of It-"It
Leaves the Party Boss Enthroned."


What Senator cotteriIl Thinks of It-"Ii
Leaves the Party Boss Enthroned."
Here is what one of the leading
men in the Legislature said of the
Direct Primary, although he fulfilled
his prediction pledge and voted for
it, like many others:
In voting upon this probably
final phase of the direct primary bill
at this session, desire this protest
entered upon the record:
The provision in this bill (section
~ which requires an open declara-
tlon OF party affiliation as the price
OF participation in a direct primary
election, is absolutely un-American.
1t imposes a test which bars the door
against the independent voter, while
leaving it wide open to the floaters
and other voting chattels marshaled
to the polls by their purchasers.
This provision places it within the
power of the special privilege corpor-
alton, or interest employing large
numbers of men, to coerce the voters
or compel the absence from the polls
OF their employees as the price of pro-
tecting their means of livelihood.
The secret ballot is the American
freeman's weapon of advance and
bulwark of defense in the cause of
liberty. This provision requiring a
disclosure of party affliation violates
that fundamental American principle.
There are increasing thousands of
workingmen who dare not directly
reveal their partisanship and will not
risk their livelihood and the support
of wives and children by betraying
their choice of a party which opposes
the special privilege which may be
enjoyed by the employing corpora
tion. Such men are barred from
participation by the un-American
provision which demands party la
bel publicly displayed.
Under this provision the ma
chine will remain supreme on the
party throne; the boss will still oc-
cupy the saddle; the ward-heelers
will still herd their bands of voting
cattle and deliver them to their pur-
chasers, while Independent citizens
will be barred from participation by
their sense of honor and the presen-
tation of a partisan oath which in.
suits their citizenship. The utter.
ance of President Roosevelt at Har.
risburg expresses my sentiments pre-
cisely:
If we had no independent vot.
ers, we should always be running the
risk of the most degrading kind oi
despotism-the despotism of the par
ty boss and the party machine
BY section II of this bill the
State of Washington decides to dis.
franchise the independent voter al
the direct primary and take the risk
of the despotism of the party boss
and the party machine.
Against that decision l protest
and leave the responsibility to those
who insist upon placing party ties
above independent citizenship.
Despite this vital defect this bill
is an improvement over existing con-
ditions. 1t destroys the caucus anG
convention system. 1t establishes 6
non-partisan judiciary. 1t is sub
stantial step forward. 1t is appar
emily all that can be accomplished by
this Legislature in the direction of {
direct primary. I have not endan
gered the bill at this stage of the
session by offering any amendment
hope that it may prove the step
ping-stone to q true direct primary
on the American plan. I desire tC
be recorded as voting aye"