The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-05-12
SWING THE DIRECT PRIMARY AK.

Electors of the state of Washington who, under the
direct primary law get their first opportunity this fall to
exercise choice of T. S. SENATOR will find something in
terestng the present attitude of the old King county
republican machine euvenaed under the dominance
of its old boss, John H. McGraw and his ieutenans.
This organization is attempting to pledge the ndi-
vdua voters of King county, and such others they
influence, to the support of Sen. Ankeny. The
given is that Ankeny helped Piles his election at
the hands Of the Legislature pledge of Piles aid this
year Therefore the electors bound to help Ankeny
retain his seat IN popular contest wherein the person
atty Of Piles should be no factor.
In plain words this is attempt to hold the ind-
vdua voter in the political grip the direct primary law
passed expressly to break Ankeny elected by
methods that should dsqauy him forever in the esma
ton of the individual voters.
1t has been openly charged that his elevation to the
senate purchased the votes being bought
the manner that cattle bought That charge has
never been concusvey refuted
1t IS known that vast amount of money used at
Olympia when Ankeny elected by the legislature and
there other known source from which it could have
come.
Ankeny should be the first example of the beneficial in
fuence of the direct primary He is recognized in Wash
ngton Co. of the 30 odd senator's placed in doubt
tu class from progressive standpoint. There is no
overt act charged against him for the that little
action of kind is included in his senatorial record
Now then, because Ankeny who secured his election
by jobbery far the public is able Judge resorts
to another form of jobbery that elected Piles, the public
is asked to ratify that deal 1t is held duty bound to
place the seal Of popular approval legislative bar
gaining.
The legislators who made the deal did not do it as
proper representatives Of the people They made to suit
their political convenences. They acted in the very
spirit the direct primary law framed to Danish from
this state And pledge that these legislators made in
this deal be held binding the people They had not
been consulted. Otherwise railroad attorney of Piles
caber would not in all probability have been sent to the
senate any than Ankeny would have been sent at
much per popular vote
Instead of keeping this alleged pledge it is rather the
1t at the first opportunity. That opportunity this
fall
In this The Press exhibits particular partizanship
toward Wesley L. Jones. 1t would take the same position
regardless Of who Ankeny opponent The old prn-
ce of selecting senators by trades and subterfuges
must be wiped clean If Ankeny election is open to ques-
ton Piles is sharer in the responsibility for by
OF his obligation to Ankeny. 1t is difficult to that the
public owes either any sort of obligation.
The direct primary opens the door to senators fresh
from the people and what the needs most is weed
ing out of the placed there under the old rule through
which some of the worst practices in American politics
have developed.
Washington has the chance to lead the way this fall in
the elimination of Ankeny and later of Mr. Piles The
gentlemen will then have played their deal which
the public asked to rafy because it was first rati
fed by John H. McGraw and his followers of the notorious
@ old Cherry st. gang.