Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1910-09-21
FALSE ECONOMY

Inc NepuDiCdn press Is Already
beginning to create sentiment for the
repeal of the Primary Election Law,
which has resulted in the discomfor-
ture Of the machine, by pointing out
the "frightful expense" incident to
its operation. On this point the Ne
vada State Journal says:
The discussion of the cost OF the
recent primary election is bringing
out a good deal of amateur figuring
" show that the cost is staggering
and that the state will be bankrupted
il the Primay Law continues in
force. The sole purpose of it is to
discredit the Primary Law and the
reason is the opposition OF the ma
chine politicians and the users of
money to the Primary Law.
What would the people prefer?
Would they prefer to have a group
Of machine politicians spend $4,000
t o carry the vote OF the county
against their wishes. than to spend
$1,000 to have the primaries repre-
sent their own wishes? Would they
rather have their money or their in
dependence? Would they rather be
ruled by money or justice?
"A great ado is made because by
taking the total expense of the pri-
mary and dividing it by the number
OF votes cast. the cost per vote seems
high, They do not figure that if the
total vote were cast the cost would
not be higher and the per capita cost
would be less by two-thirds in this
city alone.
Neither do the estimators figure on
the fact that the filing fees paid by
the candidates materially cut down
the expense. In Washoe County
alone practically $1,000 will be cut
from the expenses by these fees.
There are 81 state Office fees at $50
making $500 to be divided among Is
counties, making $3.50 for each coun-
ty. In the county there are 70 offices
at $40, making 500, which added to
the county's share from the state
makes 1910 as Washoe County's
share.
When the caucus and convention
system is taken out of the hands OF
the politicians it means that the cleo
ton is conducted by the people in
stead of by the politicians and the
people are willing to pay for their
own elections.
Suppose, for instance, that the peo-
pie at a primary election nominate a
Governor who will do as Governor
Dickerson did, reduce the taxation of
the people by 100000 a year by in
crcasing the taxation against the rail
roads to that extent. Suppose such
a Governor and ticket is instrumental
in appointing a Railroad Commission
that by cutting down railroad rates
saves the hundreds of
thousands of dollars a year. Such
reforms would discount by hundreds
of thousands of dollars the ost of
primary elections and especially
when it is remembered that primary
elections come only nee every two
years, while the reduction of the
cost Of government under a reform
administration is in evidence every
year.
If primary elections give the peo-
pie a government that saves the peo-
pies money to the extent OF hum
dreds OF thousands of dollars in ex-
cess of the cost Of the primaries, the
primaries are a very good investment
for the people. 1t is not what is
paid out but what is gained by the
payment that the people must con-
slider.
The general elections in the state
cost a very large mount every W
wears. Because of this fact do the
people desire to turn the selection OF
their rulers and servants over to the
men who would like to invest in
some state officers of their own?