The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-12-25
The Direct Primary Lap
In Theory and In Practice
By HON. M. E. LEWIS

true. Failing in these very necessary
features, the theory behind the pri-
mary law will not work out in prac-
tice, and will always prove a failure in
a state like Idaho, having vast area.
scattered settlements and sparce pom
ulation. When the people of differ
ent sections of Idaho have so little
knowledge of the people and re-
sources of other sections as they now
have, how can they be expected to act
lntelllgently in selecting candidates
from these various sections to ill the
many states otlces, even under the
most wisely formed primary law? 1t
is impossible.
Candidates Self Nominated.
nder the primary laws as we have
1t today, the candidates for Office are
self nominated in more than ninety
per cent OF the cases; the only choice
left to the voter being choice be-
tween these self nominated candi-
dates, often a choice of evils. OF
course the fiction of having a friend
place the candidates name in nomina-
ton, and the candidate accepting the
nomination thus thrust on him, is still
INDUCED in, but no one is fooled. The
old time custom of the office some
times seeking the man is dead.
Expense Limited.
Having placed the names of candi-
dates for Office properly before the
people, the law provides for nomina-
tons to be closed, and the primary
campaign begins. The law steps in
and limits what a candidate shall do,
and shall not do. The theory behind
the law presumes that every voter
shall be thoroughly advised as to the
qualifications of each candidate for
office, so he, or she, can vote intelli-
gently on the ticket from top to bot
tom. This supposes that each candi-
date shall place himself before each
voter Of the party in some way, by
personal contact, by letter, by cir
cular, by newspaper advertisement or
comment, or by the word of friend.
All these methods cost money, and
the law strictly limits the use of
money for these purposes to candida
ties. In this way the provisions of
the law nullify the theory behind the
law, and, in way, destroy the very
reason for the laws existence, that
the average voter shall be qualified to
vote INTEL gently. Is it necessary for
me to say that this expense limit is
hinderance only to the timid, and the
conscientious man?
Political Parties.
The primary law recognizes the ex-
istence of political parties, and the
necessity for political parties, by pro-
viding separate ballots for each party
at the primary polls. Having done
this, its duty seems ended, apparently,
for in the working out of the primary
law, in providing for the greatest
kind of strife within the party before
the people of the state, which strife
often becomes so bitter that candi-
dates and their partisans often be-
come bitter enemies Z .mus provides
the greatest engine for party destruc-
ton that this country has known. In
the natural course of events this par
tisan strife within the parties is ma
turally strongest within the ranks of
the dominant party in any county or
state, as this party naturally controls
the othces. In Idaho, this party is
the Republican party. This party
passed the primary law. 1t thus pro-
vided the engine of disentegration
which, If it is not changed, will even
tually divide the party into factions
and retire 1t from power. Under the !
XII
ly becoming meaningless, and plas-
forms are things to fool the people, |
and justly merit their gibes and scorn.
Candidates, being self nominated,
cannot claim party endorsement, and !
without this party responsibility
ceases.
Manipulations.
The average voter goes to the pri- |
mary polls to vote, and calls for 4 |
ballot of his party, or of some other
party, for under this law the right of |
any party to control its own nomi- |
nations is denied. If the men within |
his own party who have been nomin- |
lted have been controlled by d species |
Of star chamber proceedings held by |
the party leaders with the view to |
prevent contests within the party, |
then he is at liberty to call for the
ballot of the opposition party if he
chooses, and by his vote in this op-
position party help to nominate its
weakest candidate, so as to defeat him
II the general election. This star
hamber session of the minority party,
it is held, and it can be under the
Urinary law, is wise proceeding. 1t
results in good men being
laced in nomination; it avoids con-
ests within the party for the same
flee; it avoids all tendency to disin-
egration within the party by these
ontests; and it leaves its partisians :
liberty to join in he nominations of |
lie opposition party's candidates with
lie ayowed purpose of getting its :
eakest man in order to defeat him, {
he primary law allows this.
Voter Qualifications. I
The average voter takes his ballot I