The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1913-11-07


ed criticisms OF the new primary law
as 10 enrolment may have been based
upon lack OF sufficient investigation to
recognize its good features. This
may also prove true as to many of its
other provisions and be fully realized
as we come in contact with the differ.
ent phases and observe the results.
TO register for the primary election
in no way ties the elector to vote that
party ticket at the fall election, at
which time all the party tickets are
printed on the same ballot. At the fall
election the elector can vote split
ticket; but he cannot vote two party
tickets at the primary election, and
never could in the past The propos.
ed CofIey primary law also prohibits
voting OF more than one party ticket
at the primary. 1t permits, however,
the party 10 be stabbed in the dark, by
having all the party tickets on one
ballot.
The new primary law contemplates
continuous legal party government.
as sub-organi:atio To the general
government, for an equitable assem-
bling process Of the state government,
through political parties, to create COM
petition and responsibility within the
party. which again becomes RESPONSE
bic for the conduct OF the general gov
ernmont tc the people as a whole.
United States Government was dedi-
Gated to public policies in pursuit OF
equal opportunity to all; not to Office
seeking. Principle is greater than
man. Public interests are greater
than any personal interest. A pri-
mary law which only determines who
shall have the Offices on mere personal
preference is OF no consequence to the
people.
The extreme criticisms of the de-
tails OF the new political organization
law for South Dakota, before it has
been tried, reminds one of the historic
attacks directed against the details
OF the federal constitution for several
years, after its adoption, by the blind
of that day, who attempted to Sc
cede and nullify that great essential,
general political organization law in
formation Of the federal government
before its fundamentals had been
weighed and tested by time and eX-
perlence.
1t is no doubt true that it makes
little difference what kind OF a pri-
mary law is enacted il the official
spoils are used to influence the re-
suits of the primary election; because
the carriOn attracts the vultures.
Nine times out Of ten the official ma
chine, by use OF spoils will be able to
carry the primary election against an
unorganized people, regardless OF the
merit Of public questions. The new
primary law, If enforced, will clean
up the official spoiIs so that they can.
not be used, by any individual or fac
ton. to organize the primary election
for any particular candidate or fac
ton. The new primary law, when
considered from all standpoints, was
enacted and passed SO that the public
in general would have an opportunity
without cOercing, to select and nomi-
nate public policies ard candidates,
and elect men best fitted for the posi-.
-tions. The people have demanded more
knowledge, and are seeking more
knowledge in regard to their govern
ment. and the new primary law pro-
vides for full publicity in it's substan-
provides for open representative pub
lie meetings, etc, which certainly give
the people of the state notice and
every opportunity to participate In
any and all meetings.
The objections offered to the new
primary law on account of expense are
not well founded. 1t makes a saving
of $50, 10000 in sheriff fees as compar-
ed with the old law. Besides If the or
Sanization OF the state government is
worth controlling by the people it is
worth paying for by the people. It's
value cannot be measured in dollars
ana cents any more than the courts.
The principles or fundamentals laid
down III the new South Dakota party
primary election law, adopted by di-
rect vote OF the people, are eternally
correct and will always survive AS
to details, it may have to be amended
to correct typographical and other err
rors when we learn from experience
how to improve it, Soon after the
federal constitution had been adopted
ten amendments had to be added
The South Dakota party law, which is
a constitution for legal party govern
ment may also be amended as to de-
tails However, it should be amend
ed or supplemented with a view OF
strengthening its provisions and its
honest workings and not to cripple
same. A general National party pri
mary election law will ultimately sup
plant all state party primary laws.
No one. who Is fair, will condemn the
ala lou
suits of the coming primaries. in all the
parties. are seen This is a govern
ment by organization. The peoples
first and last voice, as to popular gov
ernment, begins and ends at the pri-
mary organization election and the fall
popular government ceases and repre-
sentative government begins. Popular
government, therefore has only to do
with the organization Of the govern
ment through it's election laws. The
general election, or fall election in it's
final analysis, Is only a confirmation
election of one platform or another as
result of the primary election. 1t
should therefore impress itself how
very important il is to have the right
kind of primary election law 10 give an
intelligent direction to our government
which is now of such magnitude as to
require the most exact legal organiZa-
tion at elections 10 carry out it's des-
tiny 1t matters little how cumbersome