The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1907-09-20
THE PRIMARY A SUCCESS?

l he IhlMAh1 A SUCCESS!
In speaking Of the new primary law
in Nebraska, the Madison Chronicle,
which believes that the primary law
has holes that need remedying but that
the convention system is thing of the
past, says in part:
The statewide primary was neither
a surprise nor disappointment to
those who have had their ear to the
ground. That there would be a light
vote polled was expected. There was
no issue at stake which interested the
people. They were satisfied to let
the other fellow do the nominating just
as he has been doing under the con-
vention system. In spite of this fact
we do not believe the primary law a
failure by any means. Many people
throughout the country forgot to vote.
There can be little doubt that the
primary was both a surprise and dis
, appointment to people of Nebraska
claims made for the system in advance
by it's trainers. According to the
claims made by the primary laws en-
thusiastic advocates, the nomination
by means of the primary would be an
absolutely fair process, devoid of any
disadvantages for one candidate over
another aside from personal strength,
and it would be nomination made
by "all the people," In the face of
lyho h1tt nd
disappointment could result when it
was shown by practical demonstra-
ton of the primary that instead of
being fair test, the man whose name
was first on the ticket by reason Of
alphabetical order had a tremendous
and most unfair advantage over other
candidates; and that instead of making
nominations that represented the peo-
pie, the nominating power Of the state
was taken away from the country dis
tricts and thrown into the thickly popu-
lated centers? And that many peo-
pie throughout the country forgot to
vote" was shown conclusively in the
returns, while the cities voted with
almost normal strength.
The Chronicle says that light vote
was expected; that there was no issue
! at stake to interest the people; and
that the people were satisfied to let the
other fellow do the nominating just
as he he's been doing under the con-
vention system. But the Chronicle
adds that "the people can be depended
upon to turn out when questions of
policies affecting their welfare are to
be decided"
The Madison county clerk says that
the primary election in Madison county
cost the Taxpayers about $1,000. Yet
despite the fact that this extra $1,000
burden has been thrust upon the peo-
pie of Madison county, and despite the
fact that the vote was light and that
people were willing to "let the other
fellow do the nominating just as under
the convention system" the Chronicle
does not see where the new system
has proved failure.
The Chronicle probably would not
be willing to spend $1,000 for a new
printing press If, upon trial, that press
was found to produce no better re-
suits in any way, and not so good in
many ways, as the old discarded and
inexpensive machine that had been
pushed aside to make room for the new
luxury. Such an investment would
almost be termed a failure. For the
same reason the taxpayers of Madison
county, who will have to pay the $1,000
for the recent primary, which is ad-
mitted to have produced no better re-