The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-01-07
FURTHER REVOLT AGAINST The
DIRECT PRINCIPLE.

FURTHER REVOLT AGAINST The
DIRECT PRINCIPLE.
Lewiston Tribune: II appears that
Kansas. the cradle OF reformatory poll
tics. is now firing of the direct prl-
mary principle and that a serious at
tempt will be made to procure It's
repeal and a return to the old con-
yention system at the forthcoming
legislative session. The attempt there
will probably fail, as 1t will probably
fail in Idaho, for the main reason that
too few people really understand the
weakness of the direct system, or come
into contact with its results, TO Justl-
fy the politicians In proceeding with
its reputation. There are other rea-
sons why its repeal, or effectual amend
ment. will probably fail In Kansas II
appears that two candidates for the
supreme court, one a man of weak In
tellect and the other a woman OF mea-
ger legal experience, received almost
enough votes to elect them to the
states highest judicial offices, ana
the danger then incurred has convinc-
ed thoughtful men that the danger Is
ever present under the system and
should be retrieved ere serious disas-
ter overtakes the state The people at
large, however, win doubtless conceive
that the effort lis intended to deprive
them of their power and will accord
ingly rise in indignant wrath. They
do not stop to consider that such pow
er as that Is useless and worthless 10
them, that they have been cruelty de-
ceived In being led to believe that the
right TO cast an uniformed and vicious
.f.,sr
ought to be told that, on the contrary,
such right is distinct disadvantage
to them and to the state and will sure
iy in the end bring upon them great
misfortune and discredit
In Idaho proposals are being made
to reform the direct nomination sys-
tenn. One printed draft Is now before
the Tribune, and another Is at hand
both prepared by men OF first rate abil'
tiles and experience. yet neither OF
which products, as the Tribune believes
is worth the paper 1t is printed upon
for corrective purposes. Elaborate ano
minute specifications are set forth
governing almost every conceivable
phase of the mechanical act OF casting
a primary ballot, but with an equally
obvious failure to prescribe any pro-
cess by which the people can discrim-
mate between fit men and unfit men
And the process by which that vita
end can be reached, or rather promoted
Is the only process by which the pub
lie service can be improved and re-
deemed. The direct primary affords M
test or guide or suggestion for authen'
ticating the character and the creden'
tials Of any candidate for any position
and on the contrary puts all on an ex'
act equality. The voters are left II
absolute ignorance as to whether {
candidate is crooked or Is conscientious
as to whether ne should be in prison
or occupying high post in the peo
pies service. The truth of this asser
ton Is known to every voter in thu
state. Yet through some strange In
fatuation they persist in the fame.
that ii adds to their power and thei
dignity to be so helpless and so misle'
In organizing the public business.
Two models or proposals for amend
ing the technique Of the primary Law
are already prepared, ana there vii
doubtless be half a dozen more. Fac
measure will have its own specia
champions who see particular virtue
In one or another of their provisions
and particular vices in one or an
other OF the opposing provisions. Som
are concerned only to procure partisa
advantage and others want no change
at all, or do not know what they want
The primary itself Is largely responsi
BILE for this legislative chaos by des
troylng party coordination and part
responsibility. So the present tumble
or sornethina worse will probably re
main as public policy indefinitely, be
cause the people have actually deprive
themselves Of the means of getting to
gether and of making their matur
views effective whether at the polls,
the law-making body, or in admins
trative functions
Even the indirect result claimed Il
the primary. that 1t would tend
procure more attentive and faithfl
public service, appears to be a gre
tesque fallacy, at least in this stat
provided there Is any basis at all ft
the seandalous accusations now in II
air concerning the state house, ar
for the ventilation of which a specil
grand jury will convene on Januai
T. system that has demoralized Il
public service as thoroughly as the d
rect system has demoralized that
Idaho can scarcely be called progre
sive or reformative. and does not see
to be so precious an asset OF populi
Sovereignty as II was represented
be before adoption. or that should
so Loyalty adhered to. through thick al
thin, as some of the peoples favorft
still urge as the one acid test Of polii
cal virtue and worthiness