The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-09-14
Attorneys Discuss
The Primary Law
All Agree That 1t Should Be Repealed Or Amended
And Give Their Reasons

Carson Appeal: Monday morning while waiting on the Road
of Pardons, a number OF prominent attorneys of the State conue.
grated in front of the Capitol building Naturally the conversation
turned to the late primaries and the law as it operates. All Of the
attorneys were of the opinion that it needs amendment and soma
thought that it should be wiped out
Attorney Gibbons, who originally opposed this law and Tough.
it out, is open in his statement. He contends that the best way 10
be rid of bad rubbish is to burn it, This applies to the present pri
marv law. He would clean it out from end to end, taking a chance
with conventions. P. A. McCarran was also of the opinion that it
should be absolutely remedied and made more simple and less x.
pensive to all candidates. The county expense is also a considera.
ton in his mind, and he is in sympathy with any movement that
would remedy the present condition.
Attorney Tom Salter stated that while he helped pass the pres
emit law that he realized that it was radically wrong at present, but
believes that it can be remedied.
Attorney Lee Horsey, of Lincoln County, stated that he could
cite instances in his county that are convincing that the present pn
mary system is detrimental to the county, the people and the cand-
dates. He told of the DETECTION of votes at the late primary in his
county that we're ridiculous.
Attorney Sanford of this county agreed with the others that the
Primary law is a farce. The fact was shown in this county in sew
eral instances, and he with others would either wipe it out abso
lutely and go back to the convention scheme, or make it so simple
that it would eliminate all future troubles.
In remedying the law none could offer a very plain suggestion
that would not be hampered with technical branches. The theory
of repeating the whole law and barking back to the convention
scheme seemed to be the only way out of the middle. The case
of California and her present condition was cited. There will be no
adoption of the California or Kansas system in Nevada 1t was
shown that under the old system of conventions that the candidate
was saved adouble campaign. That both or all parties put up their
best timber for Office, and that a Republican did not take a hand in
a Democratic affair, or a Democrat in a Republican mix-up. 1t
eliminated the independent to a large extent, and was far less eI-
pensive to the county. Mr.. Gibbons cited a case in Washoe
County, where a few votes were cast in an out OF the way precinct
that cost the county $40 per vote, and there will have to be the
same expense at the general election. From the general consensus
of opinion it seems that the attorneys favor the absolute repeal Of
this Act.
The papers over the State are of the same mind. Many of the
candidates for the Legislature have openly announced that they
favor the repeal of the Act, and the establishment of the old con-
vention rule. With sentiment so strongly opposed to the primary
system it is sure to be wiped out.
Ormsby County has experienced two primary elections and
they have proven so unsatisfactory and expensive that the old con-
ventions, paid for by delegates, looks good to the citizens. The
step forward that was taken under this new law was evidently in
the sand and uphill, and the voters have agreed that they have
fallen back several feet at each primary election. 1t should be
wiped out.