The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-08-30
THE EPR|MARY LAW
TESTED IN IDAHO
Today Is the First Trial of How
1t Will Practically
Operate.
MAKES MUCH CONFUSION,
BUT IS THERE TO STAY
The Unfaithful and Selfish
Work of the Land Board
in Issue.
BY G. E. ARNEY.

BOISE, Ida, Aug. 29.-The direct pri-
mary is to have its initial trial today
In the state OF Idaho. BY its terms all
parties express themselves between the
hours of 10 a. m. and p. IN. as to
whom shall be the nominees for all state,
district and county offices within the
state.
The direct primary is the most revolu-
tionary class of legislation ever enacted
In Idaho, Peculiarly, II is the product
of no political party, 1t was defeated
by the Republicans in state convention
two years ago and ignored by the Dem
ocrats, Soon after the opening OF the
campaign OF 1905, the demand for Its
enactment became apparent. The Re-
publican organization took 1t UP and the
democratic party refused to oppose,
When the legislature met II was made
into statute as result OF a demand from
the representatives of the two branches,
fresh from the people,
From the open statements OF men who
should know and OF newspapers OF stand
Ing, the bill was the product OF the three
branches of government. executive leg
lslatve and judicial. While the legisla-
ture passed the reformatory measure, the
power OF the executive was eXerted for
IL and the supreme court not only CEN
sored IL, but one OF their members lit
orally drew the measure which passed the
Legislature without the change in the
dot on ''i' or the cross Of a It
1t Was an Enigma.
Every one stood of for a season and
looked at II with strange wonderment
II was sort OF an enigma TO the poll
ticians. They hesitated TO tackle a race
Tor Office under It's peculiar provisions
Convention experts frowned upon It.
Members of the press scolded about IL
and laymen wondered. now that they
had IT. how they were to operate the
''pesky" thing,
Finally the more courageous launched
Il ia, .lc,n,
They presented themselves as practical
trail breakers along the road OF the new,
untricd legislation. Then began cam
paign of education. Newspapers and or
ganizations discussed it. So did civic
clubs and church organizations. The
more advanced schools of the state held
primary elections and made a political
to think and 10 study the plan and to
prepare for an explanation of the in
tricacies TO the people, Finally legal en-
Jim the penman" who had drawn the
bill had omitted to provide for precinct
officers. His mind was so full of higher
things" that he overlooked the 'esser
fry" This afforded an opportunity to
attack and of judicial construction on
some of the obscure provisions OF the
law
The ruling OF the court added TO the
confusion as il did 10 the unpopularity
of the measure In some quarters OF the
state. II INCREASED the demand for ex-
fer tremendous loss because of the fact
that many intelligent voters In the state
will lose their votes because OF their ig-
norance of the meaning OF the law as TO
second choice vote.
Meant to Purify.
The measure is the product OF the
minds OF pure men and women who
were utterly .disgusted with the chicanery
Of the convention. state and county.
The legislation to be tried out today
for the first time is an appreciable Inno-
yation- But 1t is in Idaho to stay. Not
In its present form. 1t should be amend
ed In some particulars and Its ambigu-
ities and Inconsistencies pruned. But in
spirit the legislation is demanded
The legislation gives the people of the
state a better chance TO locate the Nor
mon vote of Idaho. They cannot cover
up as OF olden days They control whole
counties and precincts absolutely. They
sheets by precincts. Deductions will be
of great interest TO the people OF the
state who-through Ignorance of the Nor
mon system-have refused 10 recognize
the menace.
The campaign has been strenuous
Without KNOWING anything in detail. 1t
refuses to accept the suggestion that
more money has been spent IN this d.
rect primary than in any election held
in Idaho since she was admitted TO the
union OF states.
The local option issue comes In for It's
share OF consideration. It. like the di-
rect primary. is new leGlSlatlon. lnltlated
and passed by the Republican party.
No candidate demands its repeal. which
fact serves to emphasize the hypocrisy
which men will take on for political pre-
ferment, for more than half OF the state.
district and county candidates OF the
various parties adhere to local option
only as to passing fad which they think
has more friends than enemies. For the
most part. they would greatly prefer to
be on the reverse side Of this issue, were
il popular.
An Uncertain Outcome
The number Of people who will leave
their party today to vote for those upon
whom they rely with confidence to bring
about. or to. prevent. this or that species
of reform. Is problematicaI
But the list will be large' It is the
women. imbued with a high degree OF
patriotism, Will take n Republican or
Democratic ticket. which appears TO them
the most eminently American in point OF
the men and women who aspire to office
thereon.
The state land board problem Is the
great one thing of practical concern
which affects the present Republican state
administration 1t Is the one most vital
obstruction TO the denomination of the
present governor and three or four OF
his administration who seek places on
Altogether the first direct primary
campaign has been successful as could
be expected under a law construed
It. was at the eleventh hour with SO
many needs for modification.
II Is to be hoped that today's returns
itv Of the people entltlod to exercise the
privilege In a manner acceptable to the
election Judges and to the returning
boards.