The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-03-24

my services the political structure Of
the state would collapse and chaos
reign supreme. To thus cover the
state as all candidates must and will
do, would have required the mailing
of two patches of 10000 letters, or
total of $4,000 pieces of mail, the cost
of which, including printing. envel-
opes, stamps and labor in addressing
would have been three cents each
or mere bagatelle of S24OO. In all
the modest sum of $1,000.
Then, when the great day of the
primary had arrived, with sound of
turmoil, and passed with the shouting
of captains and snorting of automo-
biles. / would do as all candidates
have done, and must do, look at my
expense accoun; through the wrong
end of telescope, dictate an affida-
Wit that / had expended in making
my campaign, the insignificant sum
Of $l37.29, perjure my soul to high
heaven; retire to my humble couch
and endeavor to compose my limbs
in repose, knowing that in thous-
and precincts, drowsy judges, swell
tering amid the reek of faring lamps,
might occasionally find vote in my
clined than his fellow might drowsily
enquire, who in H is that fellow
Bissell?"
The office pays $4,000 per annum its
term is two years, and an aggressive
campaign at the primaries would in
volve the items of expense above
enumerated, and when sat down and
estimated the cost under the primary
election law, | Immediately determin-
ed that the office was luxury l could
not afford.
Our Primary Law.
In arriving at his conclusion, | had
OCCASION to examine the law closely
md critically, and not being entirely
without experience in its practical OPP
Grafton, believe that the best that
can be said of the law. is the worst.
Born amid popular clamor against
the evils Of the convention system,
and containing among other provis-
ions elaborate regulations to compel
all candidates to be good, honest,
truthful and trustworthy, it was hail
ed as a sovereign remedy for all the
ills suffered by the body polite. But
in practical operation it has failed to
measure up to its advance notices.
Designed to promote purity. it has
been spawning place for petty graft.
Men are no longer nominated for per.
sonal worth, ability, geographical
availability or party expediency. I'm
der its provisions. luck and chance
nave supplanted reason.
What little practical science existed
in politics has been destroyed, and by
It lottery system has been estab-
lished for filing Offices. Under its
provisions ability to credbly fill the
office to whish the aspirant aspires is
held at naught and only advertising
ability is considered.
Under its provisions purity In poll
tics has become an irridescent dream
and practically speaking, offices are
hawked to the highest bidder. BY Its
working, service to party and service
to state are no longer qualifications
tor nomination or a compelling rea-
son therefor. for as since time began.
the biggest noise has ever drawn the
biggest crowd, so under the primary
system the blatant charletan becomes
the leader.
Its workings have in our highest
ofhces, substituted demagogues for
statesmen and empty promises for
fulfillment, 1t has filled our minor
Offices with second rate men, made
corruption a joke and perjury pleas
antry, ~
In order to comply with Its I'M
written but necessary rules, a half
dozen men who aspired to the high
offlee OF governor have been bank
rupt and at least one driven to 4
felon's cell. Its unwritten rules have
been responsible for the downfall of
a minor state official, and the ruin
OF the political future of a half doz- !
en- others. Conceived In the most al |
truistic dream. it has become a polit-
ical Frankinstein monster.
And so, after full and exhaustive
study of the law. made at a time when
personal interest gave zest to the re-
search, ! have arrived at the con-
clusion that the primary election law
is hideous monstrosity, clumsy. ex-
pensive. crude. misbegotten, illfavor.
ed, ineffective, impotent, wasteful and
vicious. That as remedy for the ills
ut TIE convention system, it has been
as efhcacious as a mustard plaster in
4 case of itch; having destreyed the