Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1910-05-13
Direct Primary Problems.

The direct primary law, under which
the nomination of candidates for the
general election will be made, presents
many problems which must be solved
before tee primaries are held. The law
is somewhat complex, and the success
of its operation will depend upon the
familiarity of the public with its pro
visions. There are some sections of the
law which require careful consideration
and way should be provided by which
this may be done, and the vote cast al
| the election made to express the wishes
OF the individual members of the differ
ent parties in the fullest possible way.
Another matter that requires consid-
GRAFTON is that of deciding what princi-
pies the members of the different par
ties desire to be included in the plat
forms upon which the nominees will ap.
peal for votes. Electors as well as can
didates desire to have q voice in, this
matter. Under the primary law it liz
possible for each candidate for Office to
make his own platform and have it diff
ferent from that of any other candidate.
and none of these individual platforms
have anything in common, nor anything
in keeping with the sentiment OF The
general public. 1t will also be possible
for the county nGmine. 10 make their
campain or plato M not i'm harmony
with those of candidates for state Of
fees, and condition of chaos ca eated
ont Of which it will be impossible to se-
cnre harmonious action from the COM
ing legislature. While these matters
may and probably will adjust them
selves when the law has been in opera
ton for one or more campaigns, the
Press does no. bo'ieve it lessons the
necessity for an understan ing and q
harmonious action of the members of
all the parties at the present time.
The Press believes that the Repul:-
licans of Oneida county desire not only
to have voice in the making OF plat
form upon which the county candidates
will run, but to have voice in the
making of the state platform as well,
or at least to have an opportunity TO
express their wishes upon these matters. |
The same is probably true of the mem
bers of all parties. The only way this
can be done is by holding conferences
to which the humblest member az well
as the most influential of each party
shall be invited, where free exchange
OF views upon all matters of interest
may be had. To simplify such meet
ings as much as possible it might be
best to call meetings at son Q central
point in each of the three commits ioil-
ers' districts, gather the concensus "a
opinion, give general expression to th
combined wishes of the people of sneb
districts. and select delegates 10
county gathering which would thas be
able to formulate principles represent.
ing the wishes of the party within the
county as q whole. Otherwise the cam
paign must be conducted along lines
and upon the ideas of the candidates.
which may be far from true repre-
sentation of sentiment
The Press is making these sugges-
ions from no desire to retardl or hinder {
he primary law. nor to advance or op.
pose the interests Of any candidate, but
% make the pathway of the law more {
smooth, and it's effects more truly rep. j
than will otherwise be noe-
'ible. The personnel of the ticket has
40 place in the discussion at snch
and should not be brought mp.