Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-05-01
DEMOCRATIC LEADER
STATES HIS POSITION


Yankton, S. D., Ayril 20. Edwin
s. Johnson, democratic candidate for
governor last fall, has issued the fol
lowing statement denying his position
in the matter of patronage in this
state;
ITO the Democrats of South Oak ota:
.sGentlemen: believe that owe it
to my friends and the party at this
time to express myself with regard to
the patronage question in South Da-
kota, SO that all may know my posi-
tion.
have been accused by few mem
bers of our party who are working in
conjunction with certain republican
interests, of being opposed to a pri-
mary law in it's relation to patronage.
To such accusation have this to say:
During my entire life have fav-
ored the principle of good whole
some primary law, which would al
low to each member of any party an
expression of his choice for all offices.
1 have endeavored as believe most
men do, to obey the laws; but at the
present time we are confronted with
a serious obstacle in the shape of a
primary law, SO called, known as the
Richards law, which in my opinion is
imperative and absolutely imprac-
teal, not only to deal with the post
master question, but with the nomin-
alton of the various state, county and
judicial candidates, and until such
time as the legislature shall remedy
the defects of this law, am in favor
Of an open field in which any demo-
crat who chooses may enter an cleo
ection race, either for the postmaster
ship or any other office.
AS regards postoffices, believe
that any patron Of the Office who is
willing to register that he is in SYM
pathy with, and believes in the prin-
ciples of government as set forth in
the democratical national platform,
for which President Wilson and his
cabinet stands, and who will support
such platform and the party, should
be privileged to vote. understand
the attorney general has rendered an
opinion which has been practically
sustained by the circuit court. that
the Richards primary law is not OPP
erative with regard to postoffices.
The supreme court has also rendered
decision that the law is not applica-
BILE with regard to state appointments,
which being the case, leaves one of
two ways to nominate postmasters.
Either they can be selected as they
always have been in the past, by a pc
tition of the patrons of the Office and
the endorsement of their county and
state organizations, or if more salts
factory to the democrats of the state,
postoffice elections may be called in
places where there is more than one
candidate, to permit the democratic
patrons of the Office to determine their
choice SO that the state organization
may be guided in making their en-
dorsements by what majority of the
party desires. These elections should
be called and held under the direc-
tions of the county chairman and the
state committeeman, and proper no.
tice should be given.
''This is my idea of the proper
course to pursue, where it is the wish
of the majority of the party. I want
to lay particular stress upon the fact
| mean the democratic patrons of the
office. I do not believe that repub biz
cans should be privileged to partici-
pate in these primaries, as is proyid-
ed by the Richards law, and select
democrats, who should fill these off 5
ces. In all fairness, do not believe
that republicans should come into q
democratic caucus to assist in deter
mining party procedure any more
than would sanction democrats GO
ing into q republican caucus for like
purpose.
II am opposed to a further provi s.
ion of the Richards law which re-
stricts those who may participate in
such primaries to patrons residing in
the towns, villages and cities con
cerned. Nopatron of IN Office should
be excluded because he resides pc
yond the corporate limits.
II believe most sincerely that the
majority should rule and I make this
statement ct this time to refute the
charges that have been made that l
desire, in connection with the state
organization. to control the federal
appointments q our state.
1t has taken ! long time for the
people to become educated up to, the
point where they can see the neccssi,
ty Of such weapons Of defense as the
Australian ballot. the initiative and
referendum, tho election Of senators