American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1910-12-17
our THE TRIMMINGS FROM TINE
PRIMARY LAW.

rhe Newspaper men Of southern
Idaho made some decidedly perrin
4 suggestions looking 70 the pre-
lection Of he direct primary law.
Amons others:
~ earlier date for holding the
primary election.
Repeat OF the nomination-by-peti-
lions and the second choice provi-
dlons.
Designation OF party affiliations
Il time OF registration.
Removing the necessity for annual
registration.
Allowing candidates to openly ad-
vertise their cause.
Removing all restrictions to the
legitimate expenditure Of by
candidates.
II the direct primary law Is to re-
main on the books 1t must be hang
ed. and this should be lone by It's
friends. II II In allowed TO stand
In its present form such a strong
feeling against II Will develop as t
menace X. There are those who
would gladly witness Its rcpeal.bu
they are restrained from initiating
a TO that end by a known
public sentiment In favor of the
principle The terms Of the law
are calculated to array public senti-
ment against IL. without amend
ment II Ia only a question of time
when the people. Disguised, will en-
dorse return TO the old convention
system.
The purpose of the legislature
should be 10 simplify the act, to
make II possible for the real choice
OF the people TO be known and to
remove restrictions on candidates
that force most of them into the
Aninias club. The expense feature |
particularly Objectionable. How hui
initiating II must be for a man of
affairs 4 be compelled to report the
cost OF his bath, his breakfast and
his lodging. When, with this re-
quirements II Is noted an allowance
within which no man can make a
canvass Of the state, the expense
section OF the law enters the realm
OF the absurd. 1t is freak legisla-
ton. and Idaho should not acquire
a reputation for that sort of a thing.
Whatever advertising a candidate
may desire Tn order TO set forth his
views he should be permitted to
INV ttk Va Us I
II he is not allowed 20 do so then
the people should defray the expense
OF PUBLISH ing aud distributing his
literature az is done In Oregon.
The second choice provision Is
b longest thorn In the side OF the
public. Being compulsory, IL il In
a measure destructive of the under
lying principles OF popular nomina-
fAAa n~taa 900. .... A. =
the people do not want Is quite apt
10 be nominated on a second choice
canvass, Idaho Is the only state
having a direct primary that con-
ta'ns such an anonymous provision
associated with the requirement
Tor a 81 per cent majority. In some
states a candidate receiving 40 and
even 20 per cent Is declared elected.
To require 81 per cen constitutes a
bid TO all sorts OF undesirable men
who correctly figure hat they have
"a second choice chance without much
effort on their part.
Whatever may be done with re-
spec' to the majority percentage
necessary to nominate, the second
choice should not be made conpui-
sorry. The voter should not be COM
PEELED to o for any candidate he
does not desire nominated.
The petition feature also has It's
a side. No candidate can circu-
late a state wide petition without ex
pending an enormous amoun of
money. The poorer candidates can
not afford IL. so the man OF means
Is given an undue advantage In the
manufacture OF sentiment for him.
Moreover. the petition tends to des-
troy the secrecy OF the ballot. II
Il far better for each candidate Ia
pay "A Zee for filing his n%omination
Boise Statesman