The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-10-24
MONTANI sEMPER LIBERIr
an Accepted Truth Ignored by
Controlled Legislature-The
Record on the Primary
Election Law.

ELECTION Law.
Recently 4 magazine writer, man
Of national reputation, known from
coast to coast, asked the pertinent
question,:-"What are you going to
do about it?'-referrlng to the usur-
patton of the rights of the people by
men whom the people had created
and placed il high public office.
This question, at this time, is es-
pecally pertinent to West virginlans,
Tor Legislature of this State, chosen
by the people, and entrusted by them
with authority, has refused to recog-
niza the sovereignty OF the electorate,
and has denied to the people of West
Virginia their demand to make their
own nominations OF candidates for
public office. This statement should
not only interest you-it should as
found YOU for it occurred in the year
1911 when the right of the people to
govern themselves is no longer in
question.
This is the story of the courageous
struggle for popular reform, sim
pie narration of facts and faithful
recordation of deeds, showing why,
how and by whom the people of West
Virginia we're refused by. the men to
whom they had delegated authority,
to allow them to choose their own
candidates for public office. 1t is not
tale of Russia with her autocratlc
government and despotic rulers. 1t
is true story OF what occurred in a
West Virginia Legislature in the year
1911.
The Rights OF the People.
direct primary law. providing for
the direct nomination of all candi-
dates for public Office was the re-
form the people of West Virginia
urged before the Legislature Of the
State. Such a law is not an innova-
ton. 1t is not a radical departure
from our fixed form of government.
II merely prescribes that the people,
instead of delegatlng the authority to
others who pervert this given power
% reap dishonest profits. take unto
themselves that which is rightfully
theirs-the right to name their can
dldates for public office. No matter
the party to which you render alleg-
lance. that right is yours. The right
Il 20 apparent that it has never been
denied by even the boldest opponent
Of primary low or the most sub
sefyjent creature of a political ma
chine aud it never will be. Instead
Of icing a departure from our fixed
form Of government, 1t is one OF the
statutes which mark the progress oil
THIS nation in an era when the rights
81 mankind are making themselves
manifest through fearless champions
who boldly proclaim that the old order
caanseth, that human rights are more
sacred than property rights, and that
tic perpetuity OF our progress and
prosperity depend upon our recogni-
ton OF popular government.
Direct primaries are not fad any
longer Instead. they are regarded
d being as fundamental as the Dec
laratiou itself. They have proved
their worth and have brought stht
government closer to the people. A
the present time more than one-hal
d TIC States OF this Union have di
rect primary laws of a mandator!
character for the selection of theil
candidates for public office. And yer!
recently we have Witnessed the Uni
ted States Senate, needing the over
whclming sentiment OF the people
submit to the States for their ratih
cation or rejection. an amendment Il
The Federal constitution, proposini
the direct election of United State
Senator's. And when. we might ask
d.l the people ever reject a propo
stlon to allow them to name thei
o~n public officers?
One Of the fallacious reasons giyel
by Ee opponents OF a direct primar!
law, az the recent special session Q