The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1912-04-18
Turning Down Of Preferential
Plan Generally Resented.
MEANS MUCH TO EBERHAR7
retirement of Edgar Weaver From
GubernatoriaI Race Strength
ems Executives Position,
Especial Correspondence.)

NV oAA' 1Ap111 4O-OOule LnluS ike
ten years ago Minnesota adopted the
primary plan for the nomination of
candidates for public Office. The idea
was In its infancy then and the legis-
lature practically enacted it under
protest. I have not at my finger ends
the executive who gave it his official
s1gnature-it could not have been
Dave Clough and it might have been
S. r. Van SAINT who came next--but at
any rate it has been on the statute
DOCKS ever since with little change as
TO its provisions. The author of the
law, who was one of the first to seek
It's aid in return to his legislative
Job, went to the discard never to ap-
pear again and it's active supporters
are now plying other yocations, many
OF them dead. AS I said that was ten
years ago and since then the biennial
elections of candidates for public Of
lice held under that law have been
more replete with hypocrisy and cor
ruptlon than ever in the history of the
state. The theory of the primary was
all right, but the draft of the act as
placed on the statute books and which
has remained intact ever since failed
IN the matter of results. Five sessions
Of the legislature have seen bills d.
rected at it's correction, but they
Tailed. Few advocated it's repeal, but
they wanted it bettered. Those who
did want it repealed knew better than
to push their demand. The public
would not stand for return to the
convention system. So it has con-
tinued until running for office has
come to be looked upon as something
only for those properly financed and
backed. What was an abuse has prac-
tically been legalized.
!. !. i.
The above looks like an attack on
the whole primary election principle,
but it is not. 1t is simply for the pur-
pose of serving notice on a few OBJ
structionists that they are playing a
poor game and that they will rue the
day they started back fire, for if
public opinion counts for anything
bill for statewide primary will be
introduced at the next session of the
legislature and it will be passed. Woe
be to the individual who opposes or
causes its defeat. He will be over
whelmed in the deluge that will fol-
low. AS the old saw runs, might is
right" and the true sport seldom
hollers even if he is aware that some
sharp practices have been used in
bringing about his defeat That is
about where the minority in the presi-
dental game in Minnesota stands to-
day and it is ready to take it's medi-
cine, but those in charge resent alb
solute Indifference to it's rights. I
refer to the machine tactics now be-
ing resOrted to for the purpose of
heading off any action by the districts
looking to the adoption of some form
of preferential primary. All this
tends to a curtailment of power and
it is what will bring about the extern
sion Of the primary law. AS far as
Minnesota is concerned hardly one
voter in a thousand cares a rap Wheth-
er he casts his franchise under pref
erential primary or not, in fact the
whole primary question is the least
OF his troubles, but he hates to be
handed something that is uncalled for,
and so there you are. The primary
is coming, fellows, so prepare for it,
You are making your own bed and
you will have to lie in it.
= :. j.
Governor Eberhart's political sky
was cleared somewhat by the an
nouncement of the withdrawal of Ed
gar Weaver of Mankato from the Re-
publican gubernatorial field. Mr..
Weaver said he did so in the interest
of party harmony, though he refused
to retract his original declaration that
Governor Eberhart was in bad in his
own county. Down here Weaver's
sincerity as a candidate was ques-
toned from the start and the opinion
is general that he has voluntarily re-
tired himself from public life for good
He left himself open to the charge
that he had been seen, something that
SO impressed the Minneapolis Journal
that it devoted two whole columns to
an expose of the Republican machine
and it's methods, which was not en-
tirely to the credit of Governor Eber-
hart and his advisers. 1t was capital
campaign material from Democratic
standpoint and will be extensively
used this fall.
:. !. !.
Gossip concerning the much sought
for job Of leading the state G.. O. P.
to victory would not be complete
without the announcement that L. G..
Spooner Of Morris has listened to the
call and has decided to give heed. The
announcement of his candidacy is old
as news runs these days, but it per-
nlits the tip that he is due to hear a
few things from his 1ieighbor, S. Y.
Gordon, one of the first to enter the
field against Governor Eberhart. I.
am told Mr.. Gordon is filling his am
munition locker, and it is not, bird