Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-05-26
PRIMARY ELECTION LAW
People Generally Are Satisfied With
It's Working ia Oregon.

tiou law uSbAApyb paANiEHs OO VIZ
lent Is the paper in opposition that
1t declares the folly OF attempting
TO be a partisan so long as the
primary election law is operative.
The people generally diner with
the Oregonlan as to the correct
ness of the conclusion it has come
to, regarding the effect of primary
laws. These laws are in operation
in a great many states. and valid
objections can be charged against
them In their operation, but IL has
not been demonstrated in any state
that they have a tendency toward
the destruction of parties. 1t is
recognized, that organization is es-
sential. and that there must be
parties TO represent the organization.
The principles for which the people
contend who belong to the different
organizations, are embodied by the
parties in statements or in resolu-
LiOhn HuA@h AAS SullCh pldtlui NE VI
principles.
II is necessary, too. and entirely
proper that those people who be-
lieye in certain principles should Sc
lect individuals and nominate and
elect them to Office in order that,
as a representative of their princi-
pies, their ideas may be effective
by legislation.
The primary election law Is not
designed to do away with, and does
not and should not destroy parties.
We think the Oregonian errs in con
founding machines" with parties.
A machine" is only part of a
party. A party Is all of the indi-
ylduals combined who are contend
Ing for the same principles. A ma
chine undertakes to control the
party, I. e., all the individuals in
II. through manipulation. There
would be no objection to machines II
they worked for high ideals and for
the best interests OF the people
Unfortunately. however, machines
work for the benefit OF individuals
who are part of It. or who support
It, and not for the benefit of the
people generally.
The Oregonian's chief objection to
the primary law in that state is to
what Is known as Statement No. l. -
Statement No 1 requires the candi-
dates for the legislature to sign a
written agreement that II elected to
the legislature, they will vote for
the candidate for the United States
Senate who receives the highest vote
at the election for this office. Each
party dominates the candidates for
the United States Senate at the pri-
maries, so that there is a republican
and a democratic candidate for the
United States Senate; and the Ore
gon law provides that at the polls
the voters shall make choice directly
by their ballots between these candi-
dates,
Statement No. requires mem.
Der OF the legislature to vote for the
candidate receiving the highest mum
Der OF votes at the polls for the
office OF United States Senator.
AT the election in Oregon two
years ago, Mr., Bourne was the nomi
nee of the republicans and Mr.
Gearin of the democrats fol
United States Senator. The peopl,
voted directly for them at the polls
and Mr., Bourne received some 30O(
more votes than Mr.. Gearin. Mr.
Bourne is republican. but all th'
democrats In the legislature. com
plying with Statement No. /, vote,
for Mr.. Bourne.
Governor Chamberlain Is tn,
nominee on the democratic tickle
for United States Senator In Ore
gon. and MIR, Cake the republican
nominee, Governor Chamberlain I
very popular. and the oregonlai
says that he most likely will recelv
more votes than MIR. Cake, and tina
great outrage will be perpetrate,
II the legislature elects him to tn
J Senate.
} 1t Is conceded that large majorit
OF the members of the Oregon legis
J lature to be elected next month vii
be republicans; but under State
ment No. 1. these republicans VII
be required to vote for the demo
cratic candidate. Governor Chamber
lain, II he should receive a majorit
OF the votes east by the people a
the election.
From our viewpoint. II the ms
iority OF the people of Oregon vot
for Governor Chamberlain for Sens
tor on the direct issue between hli
and Mr. Cake. he should be eleete,