The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1914-12-24

er knows not only what Offices are tc
] be filled, but what particular qualifi-
cations person must have to fill each
Office best, and what particular mar
| in the county or state is best qualified
for each place. 1t presumes that this
average voter does this, filling each
Office, from United States senator to
constable, with the best qualified man
in the county and state for each posi-
ton. The theory is right. In practice
it falls short by presuming too much.
1t presumes that the average voter is
interested in each Office in the county
and state in an active, patriotic, nom
mercenary, public spirited way, and is
not only willing but eager to show
this interest by taking time to canvass
the county and state, seeking the
proper person to fill each office, plac-
ing their names in nomination and GO
ing to the primary polls and nominal
ing them. This is not true.
Candidates Self Nominated.
Under our primary law candidates
are self-nominated in more than 80
per cent of the cases, the only choice
tween those so nominated, often a
choice of evils. OF course, the fiction
of having a friend place the candi-
dates name in nomination, and the
candidate accept the nomination thus
thrust on him, is still INDUCED in, but
no one is fooled. The old-time custom
of the Office sometimes seeking the
man is dead.
Expenses Limited.
Having placed the names of candi-
dates for office properly before the
people, the law provides for nomina-
lions to be closed, and the primary
campaign begins. The law then steps
in and says what candidate shall and
shall not do. The theory behind the
law presumes that every voter shall be
thoroughly advised as to the qualifica
lions of each candidate for Office, so
he or she can vote intelligently on the
ticket from top to bottom. This pre-
sumes that each candidate shall place
himself before each voter of the party
in some way, by personal contact, by
letter, by circular, by newspaper adj
vertisement or comment, or by the
word of a friend All these methods
cost money, and the theory behind the
law cannot be carried out without it
costing money; but the law strictly
limits the amount of money that can
be used by candidates for this pur-
pose In this way the provisions of
the law nulify the theory behind the
law, and in a way destroy the reason
for the laws existence-that the av-
erage voter shall be qualified to vote
In practice this expense
limit is a hindrance to the timid and
man only.
Political Parties
The primary law recognizes the ex-
istence and the necessity for political
parties by providing separate ballots
for each party at the primary polls.
Having done this, its duty seems end
ed apparently, for in providing for the
greatest kind of strife within the par
ties before the people of the county
and state, which strife often becomes
so bitter that candidates and their par
5isans often become bitter enemies, 1t
thus provides the greatest engine for
party disintegration and destruction
hat this country has ever known. 1t
ogically follows that this strife within
he parties is strongest within the
ranks of the dominant party in the
county or state, as tbs party natur-
lily controls the Office.
In Idaho this party is the Republl-
an party. This party passed the pri-
nary law, and in doing so provided
he engine of disintegration which, if
he law is allowed to stand, will event
ALLY divide the party into factions and
'etire it from proven. Under the pri-
nary law party names are gradually |
meaningless, and platforms
ire made to fool the people and justly
merit their gibes and scorn. Candi-
lates, being self-nominated, cannot
lain party Endorsement, and without
his party responsibility ceases.
ManipuIations
The average voter goes to the pri-
nary polls to vote, and calls for the
,allot of his party, or of some other
,arty if he chooses, for under this law
he right of any party to control its
wn nomination is denied. If this
otter it of minority party and the
,lacing of names on his party ballot
las been controlled by sort of star
hamber proceedings controlled by his
,arty leaders with the view of pre-
enting contests within the party, then
e is at liberty to call for the ballot
f the opposition party, and by his
ote in the opposition party he may
clip to nominate the weakest candi-
ates on its ticket, with a view to de-
eating them at the general election.
he primary law permits this. This
tar chamber proceedings of minor
ty party, if it is held, is a wise pro-
eeding. 1t generally results in good
andidates being nominated: it avoids
ontests within the party for any Of
ce; it avoids all tendency to disinte-
ration with the party by these con-
ests; and it leaves its voters at liberty
0 join in making the nominations of
he candidates of the other party, get