The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-10-12

Ine giving OF an un0ue dovanSa&e 70 tne
residents of the centers OF population
who will always have the great advan-
tage of keeping in touch with many mer,
and who will because of that fact, be
able to secure support almost without
soliciting it. / can see clearly enough
that money will be of less advantage
than before in the making OF canvass
in advance of the holding OF the prima-
ries, but l Can also see how other things
will count far more powerfully"
''The very silence and secrecy" said
another politician. also a Republican,
while it will make it impossible for
men to actually tell who is to be nomi-
mated in advance, will have the effect of
making it comparatively easy for q few
men in the cities and in the large villages
to bring very strong influence to bear
on the voters in a way not always to be
detected or guarded against. 1t will
make the game of politics as far as the
nominations are concerned, mighty uncer-
tain, and in addition it will be easy
enough for few men to vote down and
out some official, or for that matter any
official, if they feel like it. ;"
Now, of course, this may be regarded
as altogether too late, because the direct
primary system is now law, and it may
work all right. Certainly it will make
even powerful and it may be securely
intrenched officials hesitate before they
needlessly incur the anger of men who
would be in position to strike all the
more deadly blow because they would
and could do it secretly.
HOW IT LOOKS TO THE BRIDGTON NEWS.
Anybody up this way yet read the new
primary law? No? Well, it's up to you.
To thoroughly absorb it will require, not
only deal of time but of patience and
studious application. 1t is very bulky
and painfully minute. Briefly epitomized
this is the "statoot," as Squire Little
field was wont to say:
l. 1t smashes all the crockery in the
shop as to caucuses and conventions for
nominating candidates.
2. 1t retains both for the perfecting
of party organizations, naming commit
tees, and declaring principles and policies.
8. 1t is an extremely close corporation
as to parties, and gives no comfort to any
who regard government by party as
tyranny. Only the "registered' can
have anything to do with parties or NAM
ing of candidates. If registered he is
fixture for quite a period and may not
register elsewhere; but he may of course
vote for whom he please, whether of his
party or no party.
4. Nominations by petition is permits
sible, as formerly.
S. AS to U. S. Senator the expression
is merely advisory, binding upon no one,
as the legislature elects Senators.
6. Early in 1912, say about April, each
party III the State must hold its State
convention to name State committeeman
and formulate declaration of principles;
one convention does the entire job, State,
county, congressional.
Z. The third Monday in June is fixed
for the primary election; the confrma-
tory election coming at the same date as
formerly.
8. The registry as to parties and the
lineup as to nominations must come
quite early in the year. Municipal cleo
tons are not included in this new deal.
9. A premium on downright lying and
Justification is given in the attempt to
provide for statement of the cost of
campaigns to candidates. The candidate
won't be putting money into the
campaign; he's in the hands of his
friends; and, like the Illinois Senator, he
has no suspicion as to where the money
comes from or who is putting it in. In
deed, he's an innocent Abigail.
It's marvel that the public, with such
has devoured this nauseating
pill with only casual glance at the label
on the wrapper. But there's no help for
it now, and we must make the best of it.
Fortunately it is not Sin the constitu-
tion," as might be imagined, hence it
may be reached by the legislature after
one or more years trial. The cost to the
State will be great and as an absorbent
of the public revenue will surely be an
toy.