Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-09-28

ing for the southeastern part of the
state, today made the following de.
claration in regard to the direct pri-
mary question, after having had his
attention called to the issue which
had been raised in the Capital News
OF last night:
The people must rule. Not as a
few men would have them rule, but
as in their best judgment, conform
Ing to representative self-goveln'
l0ent, they should rule. Ii, III their
experience, it is demonstrated that
the highest purpose OF government
OF the people and by the people Is
lot attained TO its fullest extent,
and that under constitutional princ!-
pies here is way in which this
defect may be remedied, it is right,
inherent in the very conception Of
this matter, that suffrage should not
be limited by mere previous custom
but should be expanded to meet the
popular requirement.
The direct primary, SO construct
eo as to actually, as well as theo-
retically, give the people greater
voice in their own government, 10
the present almost universal demand,
and the fact that it is SO general
argues In favor of it's necessity.
When the proposal of a direct
primary law was first presented to
4 s,, S~L .
as to warrant my hesitation in &C.
cepting 1t, but now as l understand
the possibilities of its better applica-
tiCn, l am wholly Convinced of its
benefits and practicability. Mis-
takes have been made in other states
but they do not undermine the fun
damental principle upon which 1t
rests, and upon which a strong and
satisfactory law may be built.
Il do not look upon the action OF
the state convention as rejection Of
the primary law. l believe the ma
5Grity of the delegates were in favor
OF an enactment Of some sort, but,
rather than pledge the party to a
definite law which could be given
nc more than q caucus consideration,
preferred that the counties should
either instruct their legislative can
didates for or against such q statute
or leave 1t to their best discretion
after thorough investigation. The
situation has thus been left open to
. free and thorough discussion.
which 10 necessary to a wise and true
conclusion on the part. OF the peo-
pie. The concensus of opinion of the
delegates was not to hastily bind
the legislators to q particular law.
and they have left the way unham-
pered when the legislature convenes.
for the passage Of direct primary
law which will be satisfactory to the
voters of the state. Their attitude
was not in opposition to such meas
ure but rather that the people were
not at the time sufficiently informed
~ to the merits Of any particular
law, and that to pledge their legis-
letive candidates would be unfair.
"A discussion of the question,
which Is already seen to be the re-
suit, will not only give the voters
. better understanding of 1t but will
assist them in the selection of a
choice for the legislature and IN
their decision as to what they shall
do when elected. 1t will also give
both the state and the county cam
didates an opportunity to support the
proposition from their own vOlition,
from their own heart.
MANY leaders of the party have
offered conclusive evidence that this
IS the true state OF affairs by de-
claring as strongly for a direct pri-
mary since the conention as they did
before 1t met, promising to do any
thing In their power to secure such
AZ enactment.
when the proposal came before
the convention to pledge the party to
Q specific measure voted against
H.. for the reasons which have
mentioned, but the substitute resolu-
tion was presented which bound the
legislators to promise which was
general in its nature, cast my bal
lot for it. The delegates rejected 1t
on the ground that 1t had no teeth
and they thought 1t better to leave
the matter open than to tamper with
II, but l, personally regarded it as
. means Of registering my favor
foI some sort of direct primary
law.
Il am confident that the people of
this state will produce men with
sufficient mental attainment to give
them an altogether satisfactory stat
ute-one which will in no way les
sen party ties. but will preserve par
ty integrity and bring closer to both
voter and candidate. the idea of par
fy responsibility.
1.-THE situation has crystallized in
tn more definite demand within the
last few years. and that the people
expect the next legislature to give