Bismarck daily tribune., 1912-04-01
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EALLAcY OF THE PRIMARIES

FALLACY OF THE PRIMARIES
The Steele Ozone sounds the Key
noto Of the argument advanced by
friends of the present primary system
in Month Dakota when it says: Ana
suppose the democrats did vote Tor
La Toilette here and there-havent
thew got a right to change Unelr
minds?" That is just what Is wrong
with the situation. They have the
right to change their minds. Every
one has the right to change his mind
Free thought and free speech are IN
alienable rights possessed by Amer
leans from the hour OF their birth. A
voter may Claim to be a republican
one day, a democrat the next, pro-
hibitionist the third day, a socialist
the fourth, and what-not the fifth.
He lis acting perfectly within his
rights. and none will dispute him that
privilege.
The primary election system origin
ally was not intended to obiterate
party lines. Its theory was that
voters OF each party would each have
an opportunity to. cast a ballot for
the men whom they believed We're best
fitted to serve them in the respective
offices of government. Under the old
caucus plan it was claimed the rank
and file of voters had little to say as
to who would be the party nominees.
The primary system, SO it was sup
posed, would give each Individual vo-
ter a voice in nominating the party
candidates. Returns from every coun-
ty in the state show, instead of tie
theory working out successfully. that
voters of one party called for ballots
of the other party, and stole from
that party its right to choose it's can
1idate.
Tactics such as this can not be clas-
sified as clean politics. Similar plans
were tried under the caucus system,
but democrats soon learned to stay
on their side of the f:nce. They met
with a cool reception when they at.
aempted to enter republican caucus
and take hand in proceedings. Un.
der the present system there is moth.
ing to prevent the man who ordinarily
votes a democratic ticket to call for
a republican ballot and vote that in
the primaries. Then when the gen.
eral election comes he sinks within
the confines of the polling booth,
where none can see nor hear, and
assiduously scratches ks after the
names of tae democratic candidates.
He's simply changed his mind. That's
a good excuse-perhaps. Its shabby
politics, and a slznlling way to usurp
the power of the republicans.
Party primaries are wanted, not a
general election, such as has been held
In North Dakota on so-called primary
days. Let each party regulate dts
own primaries. Let it designate its
own judges and inspectors. and give
ohese election oficials the right to
chalfege the issuance of a party bal.
lot to voter whom they know to be
Of another political faith. That is
the only way that theoretical party
nominating primaries can ever be.
come actuaaities. The present system
10 nodhing more than q general cleo.
ton, end party lines are wiped away.
In the recent election the shrill cry
Of the prugressaves has pierced the
air, ''The vote for La Toilette u the
voice Of the people Democrats have
snntched off their hats and tossed
them high dn the OR With huszas and
cneess. "The voice Of the peupls!'
mt may bs true. Was the preceren.
f1Al pa1nary Z peoples" elect3on? A
spsoDleSe etec1fon = general e,ec-
tioa. u FdllettS's victory was sup
possd % have bssn the voice of the