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

tons of another party to this extent
In so far as the law permits manipu.
lation to the extent of nominating the
weaker candidate for Office on the
ticket OF any dominant party, 1t IL
not only a menace to the public good
but IL has a tendency to weaken such
dominant party in public confidence,
to jisintegrate 1t and to destroy 1t.
Basis for Nominations.
In the state at large but so per cent
of the voting strength shown at the
general election was shown at the pri-
maries. This so per cent did the NOM
mating of the tickets. The other 40
per cent was entirely unrepresented.
An examination Of the returns of the
state by precincts would be necessary
TO show the distribution Of this rep
resented 60 per cent and of the unrep-
resented 40 per cent, and 7 have not
this data at hand. In a general way,
however, one class of voters have cas-
Ter access to the polls than another,
and so are less handicapped. These
are he urban dwellers. The farmers
usually live considerable distance from
the polling places. have to make great
err sacrifices to vote. and are handicap
ped on this account. This handicap is
greater at any election coming during
the busy season. as IT forces them to
neglect important work to go and vote.
At the time of the last primary cleo
tion the threshing and marketing sea-
son was at its height and this handi-
cap was great. An examination of the
returns by precincts throughout the
state will undoubtedly show a smaller
percentage Of the total vote east at
the primaries in country precincts
than In town precincts. This being true
the primary law gives the towns and
cities a greater voice in making NOM
nations than their normal vote enti-
Ties them to, and in this extent the
law is unfair. IT also throws the NOM
mating power to places where statis-
tics show the greatest manipulation
of the vote, and in this respect is vi
cious. Representations In making nom
nations should be strictly in proper
ton to the total vote of the party in
all precincts as shown by the general
election. This is the fairest test to
measure voting strength by. No local
itv or class of voters should be pen
allied as the primary law now does.
Expenses.
One of the greatest objections 10 the
primary law is the matter of expense.
These expenses are paid by the coun-
ties themselves and are not shown in
II state reports. The expenses of
the primary election of 1912 were ap-
p~roximately 500, 900 for the state. The
primaries of 1914 undoubtedly cost
more. In addition to this the law en-
tails the necessity of making two cam
paigns on anyone aspiring to office.
The expenses of the various candidates
Office In Idaho can only be guessed
at, but they are undoubtedly greater.
II not double, the cost of the primaries
These expense items would not be so
Objectionable Of they produced results
in proportion to their cost. but they
do not. The results are often worse
under the primaries than they were
before. This being the case. the addi-
tional expense caused by the prima-
ries to the counties, and to the can
didates, is useless and a waste. On this
account the expense item is one of the |
greatest objections to the primary law.
Remedies.
From IA consideration of these obiec-
lions, it follows that in making chan
ges in the present law or in providing
IA new law. the objects to be accom-
plished are:
First Emphasize. the necessity for
party organization; protect parties In
making nominations; make parties re-
sponsible for the nominations made;
make party names mean something.
,SecOnd-Pr0yide for a full repre.
OF the party voting strength
In the machinery for making nomina-
by the party.
Third-Pro,ide against nominations
by minority votes.
Fourth-Pioyide methods that will
a better geographical distribu-
ton Of the offices.
Fiith-Pro,ide against chances for
vote manipulation.
Sixth-Reduce the cost 10 counties
and candidates. Give the man Of mod
means a chance.
As a lifelong Republican 7 wish to
protest against Keeping this Law M II |
is on the statute books Of the state
Our party is responsible for H. u IL
our law. We have tested Il and found
1t family. vicious and destructive. Lot
rs have the courage 10 wipe n or The
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