The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-09


well message to the Legislature today
Governor Pardee declared himself a
Etrong advocate Of the direct primary
law as il has been championed by The
Cali. The retiring executive speaks
out unreservedly regarding the abuses
arising from the convention system,
evils OF trading OF
nenting severely on
~nrf nart % cos ernOr Pardee's mes
sage feafrr the direct primary
ee1et-1 nsensus of opinion
rna arrf. q when the citizens
rnte proceed 10 effect
efet lges in the methods
ates for Office are
be- the primary cleo
ton les - tle avvt thereof II Is quite
natural chat there should be de-
mand that the reform shall commence
al mat point. Thus we IND both OF
The old parties pledged by their latest
state platforms 70 the inaug ufatlon OF
what Is known as the direct primary.
There is little If any doubt that IN
Its unmOdincd form the direct primary
would be, al present unconstitutional
IN California. AT the general election
~ the year 1900 the constitution was
amended IN the supposed interest Of
primary election reforra. but the Ian
euaRe OF the amendment appears TO
exclude amy primaries except those Tor
the election OF delegates TO CONVEX
Direct popular election OF delega ties
would do much TO improve our noml-
mating conventions by making them
more representative, but at the same
time equal care should be taken to
secure representative committees TO
manage party affairs. i am Of the
opinion that State and county COM
mittees should never be named by or
during conventions, but that members
should be chosen directly by the voters
a. the same time that delegates are
GOVERNORS LETTERS
The direct primary, in one form or
UNother, now exists IN Oregon, Mon
tana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wis
consin. Illinois. Mississippi ana Texas,
and, in the hope OF ascertaining how
Ear i is practical working success,
j addressed inquiries TO the Govern
Ors OF those States. In response i re
ceived letters generally affirming the
success OF the experiment, but admit
King a few objections or suggesting
Chamberlain Of Oregon wrote that the
effects IN his State had been salutary,
that the direct primary tends 10 elimi-
nate bosses and machine politics, and
beneficial, because the voters viii IN
derstand better the responsibilities de-
volveo upon them. The principal OBJ
lection found IN Oregon was the large
expense imposed upon candidates, who
were compelled te make, practically,
two campaigns. To remedy this Gov
Limitation OF the amount OF such eX-
pen6itures.
Governor johnson in his reply con
ceded that there are defects IN the
Minnesota law. which applies to city,
county and district nominations; ef-
forts have been made TO extend its
operations TO state nominations. but
they have failed because. as Governor
Johnson believes, no feasible plan has
been presented. In the main the new
method Of making nominations has
he mr. 4HHtarIr ont
upon the convention plan, and il is q
great promoter OF independent voting.
Governor Dawson OF Wisconsin
wrote that the law in that State proved
itself upon the first trial 70 be very
satisfactory" and that nothing but
words Of cOmmendatiOn of il" We're
heard. Nevertheless. the Wisconsin law
IS admittedly imperfect as II stands,
Governor Davidson saying: What
appears TO me 10 be one OF the chief
faults in the statute is the opportunity
81 gave Democrats in Wisconsin TO
make Republican nominations. The
Republican party rs almost
votes were cast for Democratic can
oidates here on September 4, that party
generally preferrlng TO make the Re-
publican nominations" This would in
dicate that a direct primary, TO be
conducted fairly, must 90 hand in hand
with a strict party registration law
which viii render it impossible for a
contest except that Of the party to
which he processes to belong.
CONDEMNS GRADING"
As II this perversion Of party or
Fanization We're not bad enough the
past year has Witnessed another de-
parture more surprising than any
which preceded st. In the State con-
ventiOn Of the majority party there
was adopted without debate. and seem
inPly without a thought, the strange
proposition that henCefOrth the retir-
ing State executive committee shall
appoint the temporary chairman OF the
coming convention. Whatever may
have been the motive with which this
20 see to what IL Will lead. A clique
which may happen TO be in control
OF the old committee viii have IL with
1n its power 10 programme the State
chairman, who is the only important
chairman, because he appoints
the committees on credentials
on Organization and on platform. when
the state central committee was un-
horsed by the State executive commit
tee the party's governing body ceased
10 be representative of the people: the
proposal to deprive the State conven-
fion OF the power TO organize itself
IL an extension OF the same kind Of
politics and is an attempt to prevent
the party voters from having any ef-
fective representation In State conven-
lions. II one could really persuade
himself that a State convention made
up of intelligent citizens Of California
would actually permit itself TO be de-
MED the exercise of the right II or
ganize and govern itself there would
be the strongest OF Justihcatio, for
Joining with those radical reforrners
who demand the adjustment OF con-
ventions at once and forever.
But whether or not the next Re-