Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1910-03-31

to the provisions Of this law The
proposition is such a radical one, that
only the press can acQuaint the peO-
pie with the details of the new order
of things / have little doubt of the
success Of the measure; It gives, as
the old law gave, the people a voice
in the selection OF candidates but
whether or not they Will avail them
selves of the opportunity will depend
upon the newspapers. In my humble
estimation there was never a great
need for a direct primary law in this
state We managed for many years
to get along handsomely under the
old system: but now that the new
law Is in effect, we must get all there
is possible out of It. We should give
it a thorough test, and the only way
to do this is to have every voter go to
the polls and express a choice. I very
much fear that unless there is a
sudden change in sentiment, the new
primary will attract but few more
votes than the old primary=and
every man who is familiar with the
political game understands that under
lHE tAu oJoINln AnO ~ Anlal 0At'tAOho
attracted only a light vote. IL was
a representative vote, but always
comparatively light one This year
everything depends upon the primary.
| am glad to know that the news
papers of this part of the state are
taking up the matter of acquainting
the people with the provisions of the
new law. and am further pleased to
see the various gubernational candi-
dates availing themselves of the priv
ilege Of getting before the people.
I'm the matter of the governorship
there is no question in my mind but
that Fremont county. one of the
largest in the entire state, has al
ready fixed upon its choice. Dissatsaf-
lection has practically disappeared
within the Republican party-the
dominant and majority party in Ere
montana it appears a fOregone con-
clusion that any attempt to bring
about change in political complex
ion of the present state administra-
ton will not meet with popular APP
day to read in one of our Fremont
county is true also of practically
every other southeastern county
81 was rather amused the other
day to read in one our Fremont
county papers a statement that Bar
ney O'Neil, for whom ! have the
greatest admiration and respect as
a man, would carry the southeast.
When il is remembered that every
move made by the incumbent gov
ernor, both in the campaign for his
election and since he assumed the
office of governor, has been endorsed
by State Chairman O'Neil, I fail to
see where the latter has any ground
for objection to the manner in which
the state government has been adj
ministered and wherein MIR. O'Neil
hopes TO gain support for his own
cause. Barney is a good felolw=
everyone admits that-but he has
been unfortunate, during this anti
primary campaign in attracting to his
support certain factions which can
not help but injupe him i'm his cam
paign. This has happened, never
theiess. On the other hand. Mr.
Brady, our present governor. has pur-
sued the even tenor of his way; has
carried out the pledges contained in
his party's platform, has admins
tered the Office in a straightforward
honest and efficient manner and the
only objection made to him IS that
he did what a majority vote of the
people asked him to do-and did it
without fear or favor.
Il am inclined to believe that Hon
Paul Clagstone for whom also have
profound respect is basing his hopes
on technical provision of the new
primary law. That second choice
provision may or may not land him
the nomination. Up in Fremont
county we have concluded that this
second choice provision is not man
datory' that voter is not obligated.
in order to validate his ballot. to ex-
erclse a second choice We may be
wrong. but we have lawyers working
on the question and the matter will
probably require an opinion from the
attorney general of the state In the
event Attorney General McDougal
rules that il is optional with the
voter whether he may vote for
second choice or not. the homes of
Speaker Clagstone will be blasted
The contest will then be one he
tween Governor Brady and State
Chairman O'Neil Personally have
no FEAR of the outcome I believe
Mr. Brady viii be re-nonimated on
the strength Of his excellent record
record of honesty unassailed.
In this primary campaign the
local option question, in my opinion.
VIII not be a paramount issue. we
nave enacted local option law. 1t
Is on the statute books. There is
a decided aversion to making any
change in that law until it has been
given a fair trial The only way the
local option question can be injected
INTO this campaign is by Candidate
Q Nell adopting a stand for its repeal