Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-19
PRESIDENT TAFT
FOB PRIMARIES
Chief Executive in Address to Gen.
eral Court of Massachusetts, Out
lines His Views.
CERTAIN SAFEGUARDS NEEDED
Full and Fair Notice Should Be Given
to All Voters.
WELCOMES VOICE OF PEOPLE
Preference Elections Are Advocated
WELCOMES VOICE OF PEOPLE
Preference Elections Are Advocated
Where Protected by Law.
REBUKE FOR CARELESS TALK
irresponsible Attacks Upon Courts
and Public Officials Are Con-
demned as Menace to Endar-
ing Government.


BOSTON. March 1s-President Taft to-
day declared himself in favor of prefer
fential primaries surrounded by certain
conditions for the coming campaign.
Wherever full and fair notice OF the
election can be given. wherever adequate
election safeguards can be thrown around
TO protect a preferential primary for the
presidency, wherever. the constitution Of
the state permits Its being made ap-
plicabls to the present election. l favor
1t and welcome IT,"
This was the presidents statement to-
day before the general court of Massa-
chusetts. 1t was his first personal reply
TO the challenge for preferential prmsr-
les issued some time ago by Senator 10.
seph NJ. Dixon. Colonel RooseveIts man.
sger. President Taft did not refer to
the challenge. however.
The president made a rather pointed
reference to the proposition. 'let the peo-
pie rule" and had something to say about
the recall of the judiciary and the recall
of judicial decisions.
Rebuke for Careless Talk.
irresponsible assaults upon the courts.
either by incorporate language or an
baseless assumptions OF corruption or
bias or incompetency. made by those
whose statements have influence with
sny part Of our people. are a serious
menace to enduring government" said
1he president
His address In part follows:
you recently have passed what is called
presidential primary law for the cleo
ton Of delegates 60. the national conven-'
ilons, upon which will fall the duty sf
selecting the, presidential nominees Of the
respective parties. have not had op-
portunity critically 40 examine the new
law, but am sure Il makes proper pro-
vision to meet the obvious requirements.
Il am glad you have done this. The
question OF how delegates are TO Se Sc
lected TO any political convention, or how
nominees are TO be selected By a party
originally was a matter merely Of volun.
tary and party adjustment. but so i'm.
portsnt to the public at large did the
character of the candidates to be selected
by such parity become that the state
properly has interfered so as TO throw
safeguards around the exercise by all
those who belong TO party OF their priv
ilege to have a voice in the choice Of
their party candidates.
what Primaries May DO.
II am not going to discuss in detail the
question Of direct primary elections, their
uses and abuses. ] think every one will
admit, however, in order that they may
accomplish the good they are intended
TO accomplish they should be safeguarded
by effective provision as to the party
eligibility Of voters who participate in
them and BY penal provisions, securing
conformity TO rules OF such eligibility
and the honest casting and counting Of
the ballot
Il do not hesitate to say that in my
Judgment a voluntary primary outside
the law known by its informal character
as a .soapbox' primary is worse than
none, for II gives full opportunity to the
ineligible electors OF the other party to
cast unfair votes and without the sane
ton and safeguard of penal provisions in
respect TO casting and counting the bal
lots Is an open avenue for fraud and
violence.
1T is emiently appropriate that in every
election and in the discussion of all is
sues that affect the republic, we should
discuss and hear much Of the popular
will and the rights OF the people. This
is a government based on popular con-
troll.
We all concede that the operation Of
elections and the operations OF govern
ment are not perfect and sometimes are
subject to corrupt influences and control
and that II is the part Of patriotism TO
remove, as far as possible. the obstacles
which prevent honest government in the
interest of the people.
People Have Ruled.
But the continued iteration and reiter-
alton Of the proposition. Let the people
rule. II it has any significance at all
(Contlnued on Fourth Page)