The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1914-11-14
TO TINKER THE
ELECTION LAWS?

ner's first term has tinkered with the
election laws and made radical chang
es. The incoming Legislature bids fair
to take its little hack at the balloting
methods.
The primary election law has been
the cause Of most of the trouble.
There was great demand for it early
in the new century and it finally crys-
taIized into law. Every new body Of
solons changed the law bit and It is
still as unsatisfactory as ever-t to the
politicians. The rank and file don't do
much talking and it is hard to guage
their sentiments.
If they possessed more courage and
less diplomacy there wouldn't be pol
itician in the state but who would be
demanding repeal of all the primary
legislation and return to the old eau
Gus system. That is, there wouldn't
be republican politician. The primary
is more popular with the democratic
leaders because they, seldom have any
contests and it is easy for leader to
frame the entire ticket.
The innovation put in effect at the
last session abolishing the primary en-
rollment is the source of the most dis
comfture among the republicans. They
claim that thousands Of democrats and
progressives take part in their primar-
les and help name weak men. This
charge is being heard with great fire.
quency since the election of Ferris and
defeat of Osborn. The democrats deny
the charge and insist that Osborn was
and is the strongest man in the repub-
lican ranks. Needless to say, the re-
publicans want the enrolment restored
and will doubtless make an attempt to
do 80 at the coming session. As Gov.
Ferris advocated its abolition it prob
ably will be necessary to pass such
bill over his veto.
There is little chance of the solons
attempting to abolish the entire pri-
mary system. They would like to but
dare not. They are afraid their con-
stituents would not take kindly to the
idea Of restricting their voice in the
affairs of state.
The "short ballot" plan is also being
discussed fsvorably again. Gov. Ferris
is in favor of this as is former governor
Osborn. The plan would eliminate the
election Of state officers and place them
on the governors appointive list. Most
Of the state officers are appointed now.
Four are still named by the people.
They are the attorney general, secre-
tary Of state, auditor general and state
treasurer.
Two main advantages are claimed
for the short ballot. 1t would shorten
up the ticket. 1t Is claimed that few
Of the voters know much about the
state officers and that not one voter in
q dozen knows who they are. 1t is
also pointed out that governor is
always blamed for everything that
happens in the state offices although he
Has nothing to do with the selection Of
the officers. The Glazer case was a
good example Of this. Gov. Warner re-
ceived as much blame as Glazer.
It is also advocated that the primary
be limited to the selection of governor,
lieutenant governor, United States SEN
ators, congressman and members of
the state legislature. Under this plan
the county officers would be named in
county conventions. The delegates to
the conventions would be chosen in the
spring election. This plan would short
en- the sessions of the county board of
canvassers, which are getting long and
expensive. 1t would also prevent the
parties taking part in each others pri-
maries.
Some advocate the elimination of all
parties not polling ten per cent of the
state vote. This system would elm
mate all but two parties in time, it is
feared. The argument advanced in IA
vor Of this plan is that it would save q
great deal of expense. Lansing Press.