The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-02-06
THE JOHNSON BILL.

Hon. p. G. Johnson of Bingham
| county has introduced a direct pri-
mary bill in the lower house Before
| this or any other similar measure be-
comes a law, the law making body
should carefully read and thoroughly
understand the provisions of the law,
the probable results of it's operations
and the general effects it will pro-
duce. The bill provides that 80 days
before the primary election the per-
son seeking a nomination shall file
with the proper officer declaration
of his candidacy, accompanied by a
petition signed by at least two per
cent of the qualified electors of the
political subdivision in which such
candidate desires to run. The primary
elections shall be held on the last
Tuesday in August 1910, and bienni-
ally thereafter. The declaration of
candidacy and the petition must also
be accompanied by a fee of ten dol
lars, in case the salary of such Office
is one thousand dollars or less; when
the salary exceeds 100000 per an
mum, an additional sum equal to 10
per cent on such excess. For United |
States senator's, representatives in |
state officers, and judges of |
district courts, the candidate must |
file biC onDIioot irr, With ~ ,oa,,o4..... Il
of state; county officers with the
clerk of the court; city officers with
the city clerk. The bill further pro-
vides that 20 days before said pri-
mary election the secretary of state
shall notify the county auditor of the
state candidates qualified to be voted
upon; and the county auditor shall
cause to be published in at least two
newspapers in the county the names
and addresses of the candidates I'M
Ter their party name; the auditor
shall also have ballots prepared. The
aw then proceeds to state the manner
md method of holding the primaries,
which are practically the same as the
equations governing the regular
elections, Section SO provides that
he legislative candidate may pledge
himself to vote for the party's choice
or United States senator.
The Tribune has stated time and
gain that the direct primary will add
N unnecessary burden to the candi-
ates and to the tax payers. Its effect
will be to give the professional poll
ician and the rich man a great ad-
antage over the poor man. This is
pparent on the face of it. Take for |
Instance the sheriff. Suppose John s
Zoe wants the Republican nomination
or that Office. He must first circu- l
ate petition and get at least two s
er cent of the voters to sign it. This a
axes time and money. Then he must e
lie with the county auditor his decla- \
alton and petition. The fee for this e
the case of sheriff would be $40, g
the salary is 100000 per annum. h
he total expense to the candidate so b
ar would amount to at least $4,000 b
lie has spent that amount for the v
DOR privilege of giving his party the i.
ght to vote for him If it sees fit. His o
ext step would be to make an ac- c
We campaign throughout the entire c
1unty, among the members of his h
Rn political party. This would cost d
I'M at least $4,000, as he has to see "
'actically all the people. Thus he has e,
'ent $25O.00 whether he gets the a
or not. As only one man 81
n get the nomination. several will ia
we spent that amount for nothing tn
he successful candidate, however. va
US S25O.OO for the nomination. Then of
mes the campaign for the general dc
sction. The county central COM if
ttee of his party proceeds to assess mi
II ten per cent Of his first years tw
AIRY to pay the expenses of the cam VIC
ign. Thus he is in $4,000 before ett