Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-03-30
A Primary Election Law.

No one can raise any objection to the
two basic principles upon which such
a law is founded. First, the individ-
ual expression of each voter by bal
lot, for his own personal choice of a
candidate for public office. Second.
prohibiting the use of public money
by any person to aid or promote his or
her nomination to a public office.
Two primary election bills were
presented to the last General Assem-
oily for its consideration, one intro
duced in the senate by Senator Glib
son and the other in the house by Rep
resentative Howe of Bennington.
Senator Gibson's, bill passed the sen
ate after some amendments were
made. Both bills received but scant
attention in the house, the sentiment,
apparently, being overwhelmingly
against the passage of any such bills.
The principal objection heard was
that it created. practically, another
general election.
What is the situation at the pres.
ent time in regard to the interest
manifested in the caucus and the at.
tendance? About five per cent of the
whole number of voters attend the
caucus, unless two local politicians
leaders get into "scrap" and pro
coed to call out their respective fol
lowers. Under such a condition a.
this would it be expedient or wise t,
have another so called general cleo
ton in June of each biennial year
No.
But how can we bring about chang,
in the situation and get larger at
tendance at the caucus? Some meas
ure must be looked for to relieve tn,
monotony of this non-attendance a
the caucus and cause the average Vo
ter to take more interest in the cues
tion as to who shall be the candidate
for public office, or in the languag,
of the street to cause him to "sit vi
and think"
Under the present system has the
average voter anything to do at the
caucus, except to consent to the Tut
ting through of some "cut and dried
this hurts the pride of a great man,
of the voters and. therefore, the,
! stay away.
If this influence of the local polit
lcal boss could be removed would no
the average voter begin to take NOR
interest in the candidates for publ
, office? If all the local barriers wer
, removed would there not be a muc
larger attendance of voters at tn
J caucus or primary election and there
: by procure much greater individua
, expression In regard to the candidates
J In order to procure this much neeC
ed result what better remedy can 70
produce than a primary election law
! What is it that is becoming
! stencil to the nostrils of every tru
! Vermonter? Need you answer whe
t you hear the remark made so ofte
f that man must have "fat poke
r book in order to be governor.
Windsor county has an able ma
and one of considerable legislativ
experience who would make a mo!
q texcellent governor. In forme
@ campaign he was accused of gettin
t "cold feet" upon the gubernatori
e proposition. It, perhaps, was for tt
j. reason that he as well as other alb
t men hesitate in financing the prop
i sition of procuring the nomination
8 This hesitation is, probably, cause
g by reason of their disgust in viewir
8 the alacrity with which the "boys
e proceed to get in upon the grou,
q floor with the candidate who has
i "barrel" and VINO of course must o;
i for all legitimate 81 services and e
q penSes.
e is it not time to call halt throu,
# some radical measure?
=. Can you suggest any better rem
J. dial legislation to combat the pre
A. ent lethargic situation than prima
r election law?-Vermonter.