Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1908-03-03
THE DIRECT PRIMARY.

To hear a few Republican bosses
talk, a stranger in Oregon would be led
to believe that the Direct Primary Law
was Democratic and Populis.ic iniq-
ulty saddled onto the state by the voters
OF those parties, when the fact is that
1t was indorsed by all parties and was
enacted by a majority of 10000 votes
Here In Polk County, with a normal
Republican majority OF something
like 400, the law carried by the enor-
nous majority of l176 votes. 1t is
evident to any thinking mind that the
Republicans OF Polk County did some
pretty lively voting for the Direct
Primary. The writer well remembers
that they did, for just at that time he
was fighting the measure as hard as
he could, and no one even seconded
his motions.
This paper saw, or at least thought
1t could see, that the very conditions
which have arisen would result from
the practical operation OF the law, and
Tor that reason opposed the measure
as long as 1t was before the voters.
But with all political parties indorsing
the law, and great newspapers like the
Oregonian advocating its passage. the
OBSERVER and few other country
newspapers realized from the begin
ming the utter hopelessness Of such a
fight Itwas like going out and fight
ing the cold north wind.
Now, that the law is on the statute
books-placed there by both Republi-
can and Democratic votes-ft should
be observed. The more strictly the
law Is observed, the sooner it will be
repealed. Dodging the law and
evading such Of its provisions as are
acceptable will accomplish nothing !
The way to get rid of an unpopular !
law Is to enforce it, Four years ago. l
no power on earth could have defeated .
the direct primary measure. Two G
years later, 1t would have carried by n l
greatly reduced vote. Today 1t is less q
popular than ever, and It is safe IN C
say that II 1t Is not eventually repealed ?
altogether 1t will at least be modified u
and amended In many important 0
particulars. II
Despite all argument to the contrary. u
Inc OBSERVER believes that the intent
ot the primary law was to secure the -
election OF the peoples choice for ~
United States Senator, regardless OF r
he successful candidates. politics y,
Had the trainers OF the law not 80 =,
Intended IL, there would be no need of
'oting for Senator at the June election
he vote at the primaries would indI.
ate the party voters choice, and IL
arther voting at the polls In June
you'd be unnecessary. The intent OF
ne law Is clear, and 1t is a sad renec.
lon upon any voters intelligence
'hen he claims that he did not under.
tand II when he voted on it, in
The OBSERVER has often been asked ar
ny 1t Is willing to support candidates
no favor StatementN No l, when il has In
u along opposed the primary law ap
or the very simple reason that we do
OF take the direct primary law as We
st OF any mans Republicanlsm. We ap
onld not make a candidates : position to
that question a test OF his fitness sal
represent Polk county In the Ore.
IN Legislature. Our county has
her interests besides politics at Oh
AXE, as we have had forciblv \
pressed upon US a few times in the Ian
st when represented by weaklinpa r
d misfits who had been sent m II,
lem to do the will Of their political :,
'sters. The OBSERVER wants 10 see
ong men sent 10 represent Polk NV
inty, and 1t don't care a darn L
ether they are for Statement No. acr'
No. 2, or No. or No. II, Just so J
g as they are honest, capable, lan,
elligent Republicans That's the "
I'd OF men Old Polk needs at salem lots
we are perfectly willing to leave J
direct primary law TO the indI. In I
ual judgment and conscience OF +
h Individual voter. IA