The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-09-04
BAD CONDITIONS AT ELECTIONS

If any proof need that the direct primary has destroyed
party organization and the high efficiency of elections one
has only observe how the election of this week has dragged
through its process
Twentyfour hours after the closing of the polls only about
half of the election obtanabe and little if more
likely be obtained until the official count made his con-
don has been developing Bingham county the in
PRODUCTION of the direct primary and has worse each
campaign -Four years the returns came in slowly on account
of the lack of preparation which had usually been attended to
by the party leaders acting for through the county chairman and
secretary In 1912 conditions much that little was
known the close points until the official was made
week after the voting In little than halt OF the vote
forwarded the county twenyfour hours and
dtons the polling places lax that of the old
tricky methods had been attempted by individuals the
ing boards the election could easily been stolen outright
Under the former conditions the organization much
alive that when the finished Immediately forward
ed the secretary the county Even from the remote
precincts carried horseback before daylight the county
point the telephone ne and the reports
completed quickly.
The law provides that the canvassng board SHALL before
sealing returns make full copies and post them the door
of the polling place. all concerned may read and copy them
but the organization this county has sunk low efficiency
that it did not require that to be done.
The party supervision of conditions at the election
lax that did provide for observing the ordinary precautions
against fraud assuming that people have all become honest and
above taking advantage
Under the former conditions was assumed that people
dishonest politics and being able to look and
and know which will take advantage watchers placed
check against each other among the workers. Three Judges
persons behold the figures they being read from the
ballots and three decide disputes Two clerks provided
check against mistakes and fraud In addition to all this the
party used provide watchers whose privilege to look
the shoulders of the calling off the figures protest they
called right In Tuesdays election the party organza
ton did have this DONE and many instances the party calling
the and figures alone the work. the others being
otherwise engaged that if there any desire cheat
could be DONE No claim made that there fraud but
point the decline of party vigilance and activity show that
party organization has gone pieces and that nothing effective
has taken its place
Candidates have had rely much upon their individual
efforts both campaigns that they have ceased expect much
from the organization and the goes pieces the less
cooperation there will be- Political activity becomes individual
affair every feels free probe among all the candidates for
material which place his and the road open wide
make everything nonparsan and that the party knockers
have spoken the truth when they said all parties alike and all
platforms made catch Matters have descended very
nearly that level the present time and party lines
wiped would be slight shock would hardly be noticed
Indeed the party idea only shadow and it passed
might let in sunshine.
will be interesting whether the candidates when they
assemble write their platform and organize for conducting
their campaign will proceed rebuild the party organization
let it 60 deeper into nonentity.