The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-06-13

the bench about q dozen years and
during that time has given no atten
tion to politics. He has in recent
years been elected as non-partisan,
the republicans of Whitman county.
although in large majority. making
no nomipation for superior judge.
In addition to this Judge Chadwick
was rendered appointment by Governor
Mead as member of the state railroad
commission. The Judge himself
pointed out to the governor that be
was ineligible because the state
constitution prohibits judge from
accepting any Office other than q
judicial one, during the term for which
he was elected judge. The fact that
he was rendered this appointment by
republican governor is aline tribute
to his character and ability. and his
refusal to accept it indicates his
fairness and honesty and breadth of
character in politics.
Since his withdrawal from the
judgeship contest. the name of Chief
Justice Hadley has been mentioned
in several quarters in connection with
the governorship, but this is believed 10
be entirely without his knowledge or
consent. Judge Hadley is man of
strong character and sterling worth.
and that be would make fine chief
executive of the state is conceded.
However, he retires from public life
for the purpose of building up law
practice. and refuses to even consider
any other course at this time.
1t is surprising that so little is known
among the rank and file of the people
about the second choice provision of
the direct primary law. Even many
of the newspapers appear unable to
explain it correctly. Thus only last
week. bright weekly newspaper
published in the city of Seattle. and
devoted largely to politics. explained
that all voters must vote for both a
first and second cho ce on call state
Offices. - This provision of the direct
primary law. of course. applies only
to state and congressional Offices.
but then only when there are more
than three candidates for the same
Office
Thus if there were only three
candidates for governor the second
choice provision would not apply
But with four or more candidates for
this Office. each voter must vote for
both first and second choice. If he
fails to designate both first choice
and a second choice, then his vote is
not counted at all for that particular
Office.
For secretary of state there will
probably be only two candidates. and
in that case only one is to be voted
for. For land commissioner there
will probably be four candidates.
making the second choice provision
apply to that Office. There are also
four prospective candidates for
attorney general. For state auditor
there may be only one candidate.
which illustrates the absurdity of
saying that the voter must vote for a
first and second choice ''for all state
offices.''
The, leading candidates for each
Office are opposed to the second choice
provision OF the law. This Is because
of the fact that. while strongly backed
on first choice. they will naturally
get few second choice votes. The
reason for this is apparent: neither
one will support the other-his
strongest rival-for second choice,
and the voters generally who favor
them will do go as first choice, and
will be for an outsider on second
choice. Thus if neither of the strong
first choice candidates can poll in the
neiRhborhood of forty per cent first
choice votes, the nomination is quite
likely to GO to the candidate who is
strongly backed Tor second choice.
An effort will be made to take the
second choice provision into the courts
before the date of the primary election,
with the hope. on the part OF it's
opponents. of having it knocked out.
It is said that the method will be tor
a tax payer to mandamus the county
auditor Of his county and ask the
courts to forbid him to print the
second choice provision on the ballots,
on the ground that 1t is unconstitu-
tional.
THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION
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