Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-10-27
A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
NEEDED.

No man who loves honest pOlltlcal
methods can abject to presidential
primary that would give republicans
or democrats a chance to express their
preference for president. OF course 1t
is not expected that hide bound poll
tical doctors would favor new treat
ment for an old case like the one the
primary would regulate, but it is only
matter of time until all these re-
forms will be available.
The money bags of London and
New York have been paying big fees
for many years to able talent to mani
pulate political conditions at Wash
ington and to com bat the so called
populistic ideas of government for
the people and by the people.
The people are moving slowly to be
sure, but they are moving in the
right direction and with Il force that
nothing can resist.
The people of this country have
been despoiled Of billions Of wealth.
their honestly earned dollars through
the manipulation of finances in New
York and the dictation of legislation
at Washington. The 'syStem' has
been little better than highway rob-
berry, yet when able men who repre-
sent the masses, complain of this in
famous manipulation and propose
remedy, they are denounced as popu-
lists, assistant democrats, insurgents,
everything that is liable to please the
with the aid of President Taft and
these who sustain his robber tariff
methods.
The issue is fairly joined. Shall the
people or the money bags rule? Will
republicans be refused a primary
opinion as to their choice for president
in 1912?
The people are the actual rulers of
the nation by delegated power, and
are finding out, at a terrible cost, how
that delegated power has been mis-
used and bartered for administration
smiles and political favOrs including
corrupt support for reelection.
Ii the people ask for a primary who
shall refuse them?
The bosses tell us the people are
not com petent to decide such ques-
tionS until the money bags and cor
poration gamblers select candidates
by manipulation and the power Of
patronage, and say to the people,
there's your candidate, you can elect
him but you were not competent to
select him.
South Dakota will select delegates
to the National Convention at the
June primary, and the people will say
by their votes who they want-Taft
or La Toilette and the men selected
will vote the will of the people in
convention.
The bosses in Wall street say the
people are not entitled to this privi-
lege, they are not competent.
This question of right is coming up
for immediate settlement and it will
be settled right. The time is near
when republicans and democrats, in
every state, will be given the legal
right to determine their choice for a
party leader at duly authorized
primary. The south has dem onStrated
the wisdom of such expression in the
selection of high officials but it is
nation be selected by party primary
than that he be selected by those who
have special interests to serve, and no
man will oppose this proposition un-
less he has selfish ends in view
Unless President Taft is the choice
of a majority of the rank and file it
would be seeking defeat TO nominate
him, for the people are determined to
have man in the White House who
will give them a square deal be he
democrat or republican.
The people no longer regard party
name as guarantee of party honor or
fultllment of party pledges, and from
recent results at Washington can see
no immediate hope for anything be-
yond the demands and granting Of
special legislation.
If President Taft should be reflect
ed have we any right to expect any
change in his policy? If bis past
pledges and recent official action are
to be fairly considered, we have no
right to expect anything different in
the future. The welfare Of millions
OF toilers and producers should be
considered in selecting a candidate
rather than what Mr.. Taft may de-
mand in the shape of personal glory,
and if the national convention sub
mits to boss rule rather than party
welfare defeat seems inevitable.