The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-08-18
PREPARING FOE PRIMARIES.

little rcstive over the municipal can
psiGn in this city the present yea
Two commissioners are TO be elected
the nominations are to be made by pr
maries, and the official ballot will b
made mp Of two sets Of candidate
only. II 10 not possible for the Re
| publeans. the Democrats. the Pro
| gYessives, and tbe Socialists Ito men
tion only the established paYties) eacl
70 have q ticket in the field. to 50,
nothing Of the prospect of = citizens
ticket, which 10 likely 70 be put for
ward without regard 20 any politica
party.
But IL il clear case that II the pri
maries are held without any prelimi
nary action, indicating the choice oi
parties or Of the possible citizens
movement in behalf Of candidates, vot
ing at the primary would probably b.
80 scattered as 10 afford opportunity
for candidates with small backing, tc
get nominations. II we suppose that
$4,000 votes are 10 be east at the pTi
mary, which 10 q fair estimate, and
there we're no concerted movement 70!
the support Of any individuals, or nc
ticket carrying from any party or ap
proved source. names Of candidates
for the two positions, IL would be
quite possible for q candidate recsiv-
ing not more than 5000 TO 5000 votes,
or less than half Of the majority Of all,
|n he aAe,,-atAz - ~. IL
clear that any one who might consider
himself sure Of getting, lot us say,
5000 votes out OF the $4,000 70 be cast,
would be pretty certain to get a place
on the ticket. unless there were some
organization 70 go into the primaries
and consolidate the vote upon chosen
candidates, so as to allow Of a major
ity expression ut the primary. With
out this leading expression, great dis.
satisfaction would ensue IL there should
be such scattering Of votes at the
primary as TO allow men, one Of whom
might receive a. few q number as
5000 (or even fewer) votes and still
head the primary and secure his place
on the official ballot. This would
cause great dissatisfaction. The great
er the number of candidates. the less
number Of votes would be required to
nominate At the primary. The conse-
quent discomfort at tho nomination,
not only Of minority candidates, but
of candidates receiving 30 small q vote
,s 70 be ridiculous, would Do sure.
We Judge, therefore, that In order
10 consolidate the votes of the differ
snt parties and of the citizens move
nent, in case there should be one. as
here was two years ago, which carried
he day. il will be necessary TO have
'ome preliminary action, by way Of
convention OF otherwise, In order TO
present candidates TO make rallying
,oint upon for the voters at the pri-
nary. To 40 into the primaries in q
lisorgs nized condition. without any in.
iicatiop of preference by any party, or
my movement in behalf Of candidates,
would inevitably multiply the candi.
lstes and result in the nomination of
minority candidates These nomiua.
ions by meager vote might 90 to ridic-
Ilous lengths, and be the source Of dis
outent TO everybody; and yet. after
be primary is held it would be too late
o make any adjustments or make any |
lew list of candidates.
But If after the unguided and disor- |
-anized primaries were held, ii should |
,e found that candidates receiving not |
moro than about 5000 votes should |
rove 10 be victorious and be entitled |
o go upon the ticket. the other 5000 |
'oters of the city who would not want |
hem would have every reason for |
hsUin and annoyance at themselves
or not consolidating the vote on some
sudidste that should in some proper |
vay be previously agreed upon.
II follows as surety that unless |
here should be some special singing |
mt Of few candidates, whose choice
would be prominently approved by ell,
be necessity of prior party expression |
II action is imperative, and IL Is not |
90 soon 10 begin the consideration Of
his question, With the view Of deter |
mining In ample time what steps ought |
o be taken to present candidates TO
he primaries who would be likely to
eceive a responsible vote therein.