The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1908-08-29


didates for nomination at the direct primary elec-
ton, to be held September 8, numerous inquiries
as to how the people might be given the oppor-
tunity and time to carefully mark their ballots at
the coming primary election. In response to these
inquiries Attorney General Atkinson has written
the following letter:
Under the general election law with which we
are all more or less familiar, person desiring to
vote straight party ticket can do so by marking
a cross in the circle under the party name for
whose candidates he wishes to vote. Many vote
straight party tickets Others vote straight party
tickets with few exceptions. In either case, hav-
ing had a number of years of experience with our
general election law, voter requires but a short
time in which to cast his ballot at the November
election On the other hand, in voting at the dl-
rect primary election, it is necessary for voter to
mark cross or an x opposite the name OF each
candidate for whom he wishes to vote. If he is to
vote ntegently he must read the ballot over care
fully and note especially the instructions as
to second choice This may require 10 or ID
minutes time Under the provisions Of the gen.
eral election law, which are made applicable to
primary elections voter is not permitted to re-
main in booth longer than five minutes pro-
vided the other booths are occupied. Under the
provisions of the general election law the polls are
to. be kept open from O'Clock a. m. until
7 o'clock p. m. Under the provisions OF our
primary election law the polls are to be kept open
from II o'clock a. m. until o'clock p. M, or one
hour less than under the general election law
"On an average it will probably require two or
three times as long to properly mark primary
election ballot as is required to properly mark
ballot at general election.
~It would be we'll for the several county auditors
of the state when delivering to the precinct
primary election officers the primary election bal
lots and other supplies to be used at the direct
primary election to strongly urge upon the primary
election officers that many more booths for the use
of voters be provided at the primary election in
each precinct than have been provided at the gen.
eral elections in the past
eff the county auditors and the primary election
officers fail to take this matter up along the lines
indicated above it is very likely that many people
will simply be disfranchised and not permitted to
take any part at the ensuing primary election.
There is one other point however, which
should be called to the attention of the primary
election officers, and that is provision contained
in section II of our direct primary election law,
wherein it is provided that If at the hour of clos
ing there are electors in the polling place desiring
to vote and who qualified to participate therein,
and who have not been able to do so since appear
ing at the polling place, the polls shall be kept
open reasonably long enough after the hour of
closing to allow those so present at that hour to
vote. No one not present at the hour of closing
shall be entitled to vote because the polls may not
be actually closed when he arrives"
While the fight is on between the five republican
candidates for the office of commissioner from the
third district w. I. Fountain of Locke, the pres
ent incumbent and candidate for reelection on
the democratic ticket is the man to whom the
people are turning to escape the turmoil of contest
Mr. Fountains work is so well and favorably
known that it will be hazardous for any of his
opponents to attempt any mud Singing. When a
man shows the ability to fill the office Of county
commissioner party ties are not likely to blind
the eyes Of voters who desire business admins
tration Of the county affairs.
The following from the Springdale Reformer is
the reasonable and business-like attitude taken by
that paper: l-...
So far the Reformer has had nothing to say in
regard to the county commssonership contest in
this district but nevertheless has been an interest
ed observer of all that has been going on and now
believes it is time to make its position known
For the republican nomination for commissioner
from this district there are now five candidates in
the field, all good men, no doubt, and two of them
to our personal knowledge men of more than Or
dinary business ability. Yet in the face Of all
this, there is not one man of the five who has ever
had any experience or been tried in this position
while on the other hand W. J. Fountain, who has
served the people of this district faithfully and well
as commissioner for the past two years, is cand-
date for denomination without opposition at the
hands of the democratic party, and in view of his