The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-01-30
DIRECT PRIMARY.

ANANOA ANA0~1AANAe
The Idaho legislators are meeting
at an opportune time for the close and
thorough Investigation OF the opera
lions of the Oregon direct primary
system. If they fail to take advantage
OF the Oregon situation, they are less
patriotic and Intelligent than ever
their worst enemies charge. In Ore
gon Republican legislature has
elected Democrat United States SEN
ator. The candidates for the legisla-
ture in many instances were inveigled
to pledge themselves to vote for Gov
ernor Chamberlain in case of their
election. Under the circumstances,
probably, they could not act honor
ably with the people, without carrying
out those pledges. But here arrives a
predicament for Senator Chamberlain.
The fundamental idea of the direct
primary is to give the people chance
to instruct their officials as to what
they shall do. Oregon was carried for
Taft by large majority. This was
an endorsement Of the Republican. Ma
tional platform and administration.
1t is Just as specific and forceful an
instruction; and should be just as
binding, as the pledges the candidates
for the legislature made. What will
Senator Chamberlain do? Will he
align himself with the Republicans
and for a United States senatorship
repudiate his honest convictions and
crayenly bow down at the shrine of
the god Of lust Of power? Or will he
remain true to his political convic-
tons and leave unheeded the instruc-
tions of his constituency? The direct
primary is delectable institution, as
worked out In Oregon and Washing
ton, In Oregon they are trying to
frame law which will compel candi-
dates to refrain from making pledges
of any sort. This will likely do away
with the enunciation of principles in
party platforms. 1t will be every man
for himself; responsible and account
able solely to himself The voter in
Oregon will in the future vote for the
candidate who cuts his whiskers &C
cording to the voters ideas of proprie-
y. 1t will be great day in Oregon
when one candidate will be around
displaying wart on his nose while
his opponent will fondly exhibit
mole on his ear.
In Oregon and Washington the di-
rect primary has proven fiat failure.
1t is cumbersome and expensive for
the people and the candidates. 1t will
virtually eliminate the moderately
poor man from politics. 1t will as
sure the ambitious rich of all the high
Offices For the small salaries usually
paid a poor man could not afford to
make two campaigns-one for the
nomination and one for election; I'M
less he expects to play even by graft
ing. We think the people of Idaho on
better thought will want no direct
primary. The argument that the peo-
pie cannot control political affairs
under our present system is all bosh.
The trouble with the people is that
they do not interest themselves in po-
litical affairs, They do not want to
take the time and trouble to do the
work, that must be done by someone.
They will not attend primaries and
Consequently a few en-
ergetic men manipulate public affairs. |
1t will be the same under direct pri-
mary law. You cannot legislate en-
ergy or public-spiritedness into any
people. The people can control any
time they are willing to take a hand |
in the game. A law compelling every |
legal voter to attend the primaries of |
his or her political party would do |
more to put affairs in the hands of |
he people than all the direct primary !
laws in ChristendOm. In Washington
hey also vote for a second choice;
and the governor-elect will become
governor because he was the second
BEST in popularity. That is certainly
/ sad commentary on the system.
ONE OF US Is WRONG.