The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-09-11
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Of the Week

These reasons, in the main are rea-
sons which most men would deem
unfit and inadequate in passing judg-
ment upon cur dog, but they are the
standards, almost the exclusive
standards, which are applied in the
responsible duty of manning the pub
lie service and guiding the course of
government These reasons include
every sort of partial or prejudicial
matter except the one consideration
of character and ability.
"a second fundamental defect in the
system is that no means exists of car
rying out any deliberate purpose that
has been generally agreed upon as
proper and wise, and the lack of
which may produce serious public de-
engagements. The reason an approved
policy cannot be carried out under
this system is because what is every
body's business is nobody's business.
1t is sound public policy, for exam
APPLE, to apportion the public Offices
with some reference to geographical
considerations, not with a view to
giving certain men preferment be-
cause they hail from certain sections,
but in order that the state may have
the benefit of widespread and in
formed counsel concerning the inter-
ests and the problems of its various
sections and resources. The special
and great problems of north Idaho, in
the correct treatment of which the
state as a whole is profoundly inter-
ested, will have little or no represen-
tation hereafter, according to the de-
cisions rendered in the primary, and
the loss, disorder and discomfort re-
sulting therefrom will certainly be re-
flected upon the whole state. The di-
rect primary operates mainly as a
vent for all the littleness, meanness
and oontentiousness of human ma
ture, and is so constructed as to make
impracticable the securing of any
large principle or the promotion of
good political morals, public or pri-
vate."
The Pend d'Oreille Review says:
There is a good deal of honest
complaint against the primary law.
theoretically it is all right but it has
not proved its practicability. The ex-
pense of holding the primary election
is its great fault. 1t is figured Idaho
this wear will expend 100000 for its
primary election. The Review con-
tended at the time the primary law
was adopted that it would be imprac-
ticable for the state tickets and that
direct primary in the counties with
delegates elected to the state con-
ventions at these county primaries
would preserve both primary and con-
vention The matter Of expense would
be a feature of the county primaries
but it could be greatly reduced if the
primary were made more informal in
character or put up to the different
political organizations to defray the
expenses of it. However 1t is doubt
full if even the county primary makes
adequate return for its cost and trou-
Bile. The primary held Tuesday in
the county awakened little interest on
any but the Republican ticket. The
Socialist ticket was all cut and dried
by vote of the locals, the Democratic
ticket had few If any contests and
same held true of the Progressive
ticket and what few were left of the
bull moose largely participated in thu
Republican primary election. 1t II
notable that those who usually Oppose
the Republican party as the enemy
of the common people" and wer'
loudest in their demands for the pri
mary law do not use the spirit of thu
act, for their tickets are put up by ;
few drafting such persons as will
consent to stand for nominations.
"All persons who take an interest il
their party politics complain of tn
disintegrating effect of the primar!
/ upon party Organization. In the oil
state convention there was meeting
of the prominent party member
, from the different sections of tn
/ state. There was an exchange o
ideas, the state got more in toucl
: with itself; southern men and north
ern men mingled and got each other
) point of view and learned thing
about their state. The platform CON
: ventions do this in part now but no
: with the old effect when men gathere,
j with the spirit of nominating a ticket
} The tickets, too, were selected witt
: the geographical situation in mind"
, The Twin Falls Times says the Law
: must be amended. The Idaho Re
: publican of Blackfoot points out gray
: defects in the system along the line
!. pointed out by the Lewiston Tribun