Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-07-04
ADVERTISING AGENTS.
aEMsER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEEDS AMENDMENT.

BIS
If, as it seems to be the opinion,
the names of nominees for the Unit,
ed States senate, both Republican
and Democratic, go on the same little
ballot this fall, giving Democrats an
opportunity to vote for one of the
Republican nominees if they SO de-
sire, then we think the primary cleo
ton law is sorely in need of amend
ment.
The nomination Of the United
States senator is not an election by
all of the people. 1t is matter of
party choice. The people of each
party resolve themselves into a big
convention and make nominations.
BY what right should Democrats be
permitted to sit in a Republican
convention or vice versa?
We hear some fine sounding theo-
ries about permitting members of all
parties to vote as they choose for
candidates Of all parties-theories
which carry party entity to the edge
of the chasm or chaos and start it
over the brink. Democrats should
not be permitted in any case to par
ticipate in the choice or Republican
nominees. Neither should Republic
cans be permitted to choose Demo
cratic nominees. If they are so per-
mitted, the desire that governs and
will govern most 70 them is to do
harm to the other party by ASSISTING
with the nomination Of inferior can
didates.
The theory that members of the
minority party should be permitted
to choose nominees for the majority
party upon the ground that in a
sprity of fine citizenship and patriot
ism they intend to vote for the very
best man at the fall election, irres-
pectiVe Of party afiliation, is bosh.
pure and simple.
1t the senatorial ballot is to be
handled in that way at the fall cleo
ton, then the Democrats have the
opportunity to say what Republican
candidate shall be elected.
They have the opportunity to trade
off the senatorship for state officers
in the voting. &. Il:
They have the opportunity to de-
feat the real choice of the RepubIi.
cans.
They have the opportunity to
wreck the Republican party entirely
by standing together. to defeat its
real choice for the senate.
Most of US are too well experienced
in political matters and have seen
too many campaigns to be fed with
the sweet delusion that Democratic
voters will not seek to trade, fol
their own benefit and to their own
advantage. .5
The senatorial ballot this fall
should be upon separate sheets-one
for the Democratic party and one
for the Republican party. The voter
should receive general election bal
lot, and should then call for Repub.
lean ballot or for a Democratic sen
atorial ballot, as he is Republican
or a Democrat sl
A party election Judge should have
the right to challenge the request
OF voter for a Republican senator
ial ballot, and to show that he af
hliates with the Democratic party.
On no theory can this work an in
Justice to any voter. On no theory
can 1t Interfere with the rights, un
less Democrat, by insisting upon {
Republican ballot, admits that he
wants to participate In the party
choice of the Republican.
And this he should not be permit
& ed to do. II the Republicans of THU
state continue to invite the Demo
Gratis into their party conventions
they are inviting disaster and disin.
tegration.