The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-02-06
HOLITlcAC7
L MEhS AND MO7E5

Adams County Record: One of the
most important bills that has been
or will be presented to the Legislature
this year is the one already intro
duced in the house by Representative
Johns. A study Of the bill is interest
ing.
The bill entitled, An act providing
for the election of county, school and
judicial officers by a nom partisan
majority vote. The intent of the act
is to do away with party politics in
elections to fill county, school and
judicial offices; TO do away with the
primary election system of nominating
to such offices; to secure elections to
such offices by a majority vote in every
case.
The form of ballot provided for in
the Johns bill is practically the same
as the primary election ballot except
that there are no party headings and
nothing to indicate the party affilia-
ton of any candidate.
The voter in marking his ballot
marks the figure j in the square op-
posite the name of the candidate of his
choice. He also places the figure 2
in the square opposite the name of the
candidate who is. his second choice,
then and 4, etc, until he has voted
for every man who is a candidate for
that Office save one
The election in such case must be
made by majority vote in the following
manner: If the first choice votes
give majority to any one candidate
he is declared elected. If no candidate
receives a majority of the first choice
votes, then the number of second
choice votes for each candidate. re-
spectively, shall be added to the num-
Der of his first choice votes. If such
an addition shall give any candidate
a number equal to a majority of the
electors for such office, then the can
didate, having the highest number of
votes on both such choices shall be de-
clared elected. In case the combined
first and second choice votes shall
fail to give any candidate such a ma
jority, then the third and successive
choice votes shall be added in like
manner in succession until a number
of votes equal to a majority of the
electors shall have been obtained.
Names are placed on the ballot by
filing petition not less than thirty
nor more than forty days previous to
the general election, the same rules
governing the petition that now gov
ern under the primary election sys-
tenn except that there is no party des-
ignation.
This bill contains many excellent
features, not the least of which is the
majority rather than the plurality re-
quirement. 1t leaves no chance for a
bad candidate to slip into office by
means of a multiplicity of candidates.
Under the provisions of this bill no
machine is necessary and bossism is
absolutely eliminated; good men. rath-
err than expert wire pullers. would he
brought into politics; independence
would be encouraged and individuality
would be brought out. Furthermore
there is absolutely no reason WHY
school. judicial or county officials
should be partisans. 1t may be ar
gued that party politics in county af
fairs is necessary, In way, yes
1t is here that the foundation is laid
for state machine-but why have
state machine?
Politicians will probably not take
kindly to the proposed new method of
voting statesmen will. The members
Of the legislature will probably fear
that should the bill become a law It
might damage political machinery.
AS before stated, politicians may not
favor the bill but statesmen will and
the action of the present insurgent leg
islature in regard to this measure win
indicate whether the majority of the
members are peanut politicians or /
statesmen. We shall hope for the
best, but fear the worst