Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-03
NOMINATION ny DIRECT PRIMARY

Beatrice Sun: 1t shouldn't take much eff
fort to repeal the primary law. IL a few
members of the legislature would arise in
their places and present themselves as eX-
amples of what the primary law gives us,
there would be a strong sentiment against
the primary method of making nominations.
Papillion Times: The attempts of some of
the democratic members of the state legis-
lature to have the present direct primary
system repealed in Nebraska is a step
backward. There are defects in the present
law which only experience and actual trial
of the law could reveal, and now that they
have been pointed out, there next step is to
remedy them. But to repeal the entire
law and go back to the old system of
packed caucuses and conventions, is indeed
a move in the wrong direction, and one
that will not be approved or upheld by the
honest voters of this state, regardless OF
party affiliations.
Kearney Hub: The proposed amendments
to the primary law which are intended to
permit members of one party to vote for
candidates of another party, or for indie
pendent voters to vote for candidates OF
either party, is a fraud on its face, intended
to sanction by law the rauds perpetrated
by democrats upon the republican ballot
under the existing law. A republican
should have absolutely nothing to say about
the selection of a democratic candidate,
and vice versa. AS long as both parties
exist through party organization they should
be protected instead OF being exposed 10
piracy and prostitution.
Ord Quiz: Among the hundreds OF bills
being introduced in the present legislature
Is one to repeal the direct primary law.
Thu 1t goes from one extreme to another.
The idea of the primary law is all right,
but it was carried too far. The law should
provide for the nomination of all officers
of county and smaller territories by direct
vote, and also for the selection of party
delegates to a county convention, the latter
to, effect party organizations. elect dele
gates to larger conventions, fill vacancies
and decide ties. This is the thing the Quiz
talked about at the time OF the passage Of
the law, but our legislature had It's %instruc-
tions and went ahead and did as told. We
hope that instead OF repeating the law the
proper limitations will be made and then
We will have a law worth having.
Weeping Water Republican: A bill has
been introduced in the house to do away
with the primary law. If that passes they
will do awsy with a big expense. The
present law with a few amendments would
suit many voters, but there are n great
many who liked the old time primary, the
old time conventions, 1t was a day of good
fellowship with old acquaintance. An
exciting contest with sharpened wits, a
bloodless battle ground that wound up
with a pledge to remain loyal. Each sec
ton brought out candidates to battle for
supremacy. Now, well, a handful of men
gather together, persuade somebody to file
his name for an office. the handful go
back and sit down, and the candidate finds
himself in a turbulent sea without a life
preserver, and, and no particular section
active in his support.
York Times: Bills have been introduced
In both branches of the state legislature to
repeal the primary law and the leading
democrats. including the governor. seem TO
be favorable to their passage. Many re-
publicans also sympathize with the meas
ure. The fact is. the present primary law
is not popular. and the effort to brand as
professional politicians or railroad tools all
who are dissatisfied with It has signally
failed. The arguments advanced against
the present law are mainly the expense and
the fact that the country precincts do not
participate, leaving the nominations largely
with the people who reside in town. II in
expensive primary elections could be held.
where the voters could so and vote for men