The Colorado statesman., 1908-09-05
The Direct Primary
Nomination Movement
BY Edward P. Costisan Clay's Review Denver

| 1905 to the Wisconsin Legislature
had this to say of Wisconsin's first
experience with primary nominations:
THE practical trial of the law re-
suited in it's general approval through
out the state. The contention made
for it by those who advocated its
adoption was justified"
And in Kansas, within a few weeks,
widespread satisfaction has been ex-
pressed over the voters reputation
by this means of public officials whose
fidelity to the general welfare had be-
come an object of suspicion
Necessity for Primary Laws.
If Colorado has not-as became a
land Of pioneers-headed the march of
this significant and prophetic move
ment, it is at least comforting to re-
call that each of it's leading political
organizations in times past, in state
conventions has declared definitely
favorable attitude. Comforting, 1 say,
for moments thought must convince
any one familiar with the practical
operations of our nominating and cleo
tive machinery that the direct nomina-
ton system is the most natural and
efficient aid-if it be in fact, not in
dispensable-to successful representa-
sentative government as we know it is
to continue; if it is not to be sup
planted by a practically pure democ-
racy whose most efficient tools are
the initiative, referendum and recall
| the people directly assuming the
burden of making and multiplying the
/ laws-it is certain that means must
be devised for compelling legislatures
to embody in statutes, and executives
to enforce, far more genuinely the ma
| ture popular sense of justice among
men.
Evils of Machine Politics.
The necessary for the direct nomina-
tion system is too generally under
stood to require re-statement. 1t is
found in the frequent failure, under
the rule of caucus and convention
nominations, of the whole scheme OF
representative government. Years ago
James Russell Lowell wrote:
1--WE would not tolerate for mo-
ment a fixed jury to pass on the life
of single individual; yet we are con-
tent to leave the life of our nation to
the mercy of packed convention"
| Much more recently William Trav-
ers Jerome, in a noteworthy cam
paign, stated the case this way:
"One of the greatest evils of the
present time is that certain small
groups of men have, and in some in
stances single man has obtained
control of the executive machinery of
government, and of nominating con-
ventions, and stand between the public
servant and the voters"
And within not many weeks Gov
ernor Hughes of New York, demand
ing the enactment of law in accord
ance with the state constitution, was
compelled to use harsh words like
these concerning the opposition con-
fronting him:
"The iniquity is, that behind every
senator is a boss, and behind every
boss is special interest that uses
the boss"
The Direct Primary the Solution.
Such being acknowledged political
conditions, now and in the past, where
the people coming to their own have
not dethroned the political manipula-
tors of caucuses and conventions, is it
any matter for wonder that the public,
more and more aroused, has more and
more assumed the direct nominating
power for executive, legislative and
judicial offices, too long resigned to
corrupt any designing manipulators?
|
"No human being, however wise or
good, is fit to be sole ruler over the
doings of an involved society,""
And Il our republic has any vitality,
this truth is quite as applicable to the
political boss of New York, or Phila-
delphia, or Cincinnati, or San Fran
cisco, or Denver, as to any throned
and autocratic monarch. Under ade-
quate primary nomination laws it is
possible to wipe out the shame of
cities and of states; to substitute the
selection in the first instance by our
people of our office holding class; and
to create among our officials, a new,
finer and more self-respecting ale
glance.
Seven Reasons for Primary Law in
Colorado.
The following, then, are few rea-
sons calling for the adoption of an
/ honest direct primary nomination law
in Colorado:
1t will tend to representative gov
ernment-to the selection of officials
named by the people and responsible
to them, who will make and enforce
laws in response to deliberate public
demands.
1t will tend to assure more willing
and efficient civil service, and legisla'
ton for the general welfare instead OF
for special interests.
1t will tend to eliminate the political
boss and his grosser exhibitions of
political vice.
1t will restore our governDent to
simple first principles.
1t will make easy other required
ballot law amendments for facilitating
and making intelligent the expressed
will of the voters.
1t will augment the sway of public
opinion for public ends.
1t will tend to guarantee gradual