American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-12-24

The primary election law had II
conception In the idea OF "lct the PEG
- rule;" let them nominate thei
own officers; let them run the publ
susiness direct II was framed by on
lawmakers 10 accomplish this objec
- nearly ms possible. with the exper
icacc Of other states to guide them. !
has been amended at two sessions G
The legislature. At the last primar,
election. however. II developed sucl
Inherent weakness showed that
fell far short Of accomplishing tn
Inject sought. and proved that the pro
Visions of the law lent to political ma
nipulation to such an extent that Il II
being almost universally condemned
BY press and public. Changes ar,
sure TO be made in the law at the com
ing session OF the legislature and q
q q wise preliminary TO such changes
70 give consideration TO the faults ant
shortcomings OF the present law II
we know the faults we can change
hem.
The Primary Theory.
The theory OF the law il right. It's
practice In Idaho Is all wrong. The
'heory presumes that the average vo-
Ter knows rot only what Offices are
to be filled, but what particular quail
'fcations a person must have TO fiji
sach office best, and what particular
man In the county or state "a best
qualified for each place. II presumes
hat this voter goes after this man,
dominates him for the office at the pri-
naries. elects him at the general cleo
Ion. and puts him In the Office. II
presumes that this average voter does
his, filling each office from United
States senator to constable, with the
'est qualified mar In the county and
state for each position. The theory
- right. In practice II fails short
" presumlng too much. II presumes
hat the average voter Is Interested In
Zach office IN the county and state In
IN active. patriotic, non mercinary.
public spirited way. and In not only
Wiling but eager to show this inter-
est by taking time TO v the
'ounty and state, seeking the proper
person to all each Office. placing their
names In nomination, and going to the
primary polls and nominating them.
This In not true.
II presumes that the average voter
'sno~a what particular qualifications
are needed 10 properly conduct each
of'ce In the county and state. This IL
lot true.
II presumes that the average voter
'snows the hest man IN each county
and state TO MI each office. This IN
'ot true and never can be true.
When the people OF the different sec
ions OF Idaho have so little knowl-
tge OF the people and OF
'ther sections as they now have. how
can they be expected 10 act Intelligent
v In selecting candidates from these
various sections 10 MI the many state
,nices. even under the most wisely
'ramed primary law 1t Ia impossi-
ne. Failing In these most necessary
'eatures OF Its foundation theory. 'he
NV Itself VIII not work out In prac-
Ice. and WIN always prove n failure
n a state like Idaho, having a vast
'rea. scattered settlements and n
parse population,
Under our primary law candidates.
self-nominated In more than 90
'er cent OF the eases. the only choice
ar TO the voters bong n choice ho-
those SO nominated. often n
hoice OF evils. OF course the nction
4 having n friend place the canc,-
ate's name In n%om'Lation, and the
andidate accept the nomination tans
hrust on him IL still induigci H.. bn,
% one In fooled. The oid-timo c,tstom
Z the office sometimes seeking tho
nan Is dead.
Expense Limited
Having placed the names of candi- !
sics for office properly before the
eople, the law provides for nomina-
Ions to be closed. and the primary
.mpaign begins. The law then steps
! and says what n candidate shall
nd shall not do. The theory behind
law prcsumes thar every voter
hall be thoroughly advised as to the
OF each candidate for Of
so he or she can vote inteliigently
n the ticket from top 10 bottom. THIS
that each candidate shall
lace himself before each voter OF the
In some way. by personal con-
'et, by letter, by circular. by news
aper advertisement or comment. or
the word OF a friend. All these |
ethods cost money. and the theory
shind the law cannot be carried out
fthout It costing money: but the law
richly limits the mount OF monev