The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1908-09-11
LESSONS or THE PRIMARY

One primary election suiieed TO eliminate the county ring
from politics,
which the primary election system has placed in the hands of
the people.
For years under the old convention system, the taxpayers
OF King county had vany strven break the power OF the
county ring and tighten the financial burden which the ring
fastening people But revolt against the ring seemed
useless With tho organization in It's hands the ring packed
and convention nominated It's men and gave re-
publican the choice between supporting the ring and
being dsoya the party label Loyalty party never failed
to carry the day for the ring.
Under the old convention system Bob Hodge the poor
would have been joke in reality lie would not have
been able get anyone make nominating speech Tor
him Without money and without job his ambition would
have been laughed down good joke by the bosses who con
sidered fitness the last qualification for office.
Under the convention system Agnew would now be the
nominee for sheriff Brer the nominee for auditor and Beck
ingham the nominee for county commissioner from the First
district These three offices necessary the ring 70 con-
tnue them power would be continued in the hands Of the
faithful
But the primary system gave the people the opportunity
they after Although the people had hardly begun TO
realize power their hands tho spirit Of revolt
whemng that nearly every rngste carried down in de-
feat
That Rutherford won the nomination in the Third
mssones district due the failure Of the people fully
grasp the significance Of the primary Had the apahcc voted.
Aibn would have But, though Rutherford has won
the nomination by minority the primary has made evil
dent his political weakness and makes his defeat in the election
November almost ioregouc conclusion
But the for Ankeny shows where the people Of King
county have failed grasp fully the meaning Of the primary
Nearly half OF those who voted endorsed Ankeny for ree
ton United States senate They did under tho mis-
taken belief carried from the old political system that
money necessary accomplish things politics today and
that United States senator without money wine and dine
his colleagues. the advantage OF his con
stitucncy.
Nearly half the for Ankcny purely sell
fish grounds patriotism and the spirit Of the primary being
forgotten in local and seiincrest-
But, fortunately Jones out and though Ia Fol-
ee he will doubtless demonstrate the people Of King
county that the majority United States still
be reached by appeals their brains rather than their
ssomachs
The condemnation Of Ankeny. the corruptions BY
far the most gratifying result Of the primary.
The nomination Of Cosgrove for governor another
demonstration Of the fact that the hearts Of the people Of Wash
ngon right and that principle has been restored the
ruling factor in politics.
Another lesson taught by the results is that need
aspire public office in Washington the future unless he
has the personal qualifications make good official The
who would his city county, does need
have money but he does need have ability and experience
The day Of the corruption the trcser and the novice
politics is Every who aspes office must
have good advance why he should be
or he had better stick to the obscurty Of private life
The day Of the ring politician the ward hecler the paid
political worker and the political corruponist passed
the state Of Washington and the OF clean politics has
ushered in.