West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-06-01
A REPREnENsIRLE LAM


The voters throughout this state
will have new experience on this
coming Tuesday. For the first time
in the history Of our state a man must
sign his name to the book, that will
be kept for that purpose, and like
wise take an oath or affirmation that
he is bona flde member OF the par.
ticular party whose ticket he will vote
on that day.
Now what constitutes n member in
good standing in any political party?
Is il the man who has voted 'er
straight for forty years7 Is II the
man who is always on the firing line
and advocating his party principles
to the exclusion OF every other party {?
Is it the fellow who votes the party
ticket with one hand while he holds
his nose with the other, as Senator
Scott once advised his followers? II
these be the qualifications of mem
Der in good standing The Argus is OF
the opinion that there are very few
good party men within the confines
of this county. To begin with it is an
indictment of any mans intelligence
to come within the definition.
Again II is a matter OF common
knowledge that all power in this coun-
try rests in the sovereign people. No
man in an elective Office from Presi-
dent to constable can exercise any
authority until he has received his
commission from a majority OF the
voters to do so. 1t frequently fol-
lows that q man who claims alleg-
lance to the Republican party does
not find all the candidates on his par
ty ticket worthy of his support and
to that end he will register a vote of
protest by casting his ballot for one
OF another party. But under this new
primary law he must enter the booth
and either cast his ballot in assisting
to nominate that man for office, or re-
serve his independence by not voting
for him in the primary and then cast
ing his ballot for whomsoever he may
desire in the general election.
1t occurs to The Argus that the
only avenue OF escape is to vote only
for those candidates that one really
desires to see elected and then to re-
serve the remainder until the general
election and vote for whom one de-
sires.
There is another phase of this pri-
mary law that is not generally under
stood. Under the operations of the
statute as now in force man who
desires to run for any Office of note
is required to file an exorbitant fee
before he can even have his name
printed on the ballot. In q county
like this it does not pay Democrats
to file for the county offices. There
fore it gives the Republicans exclu-
sive control and whoever may be nom
mated by them will be elected whether
acceptable to a majority of the people
or not. The Republicans who may
not be satisfied with their party nom
inee and the Democrats will not have
any voice in the selection Of the coun-
ty officers unless the Democrats take
the time and trouble to write in their
choice for the various county offices.
And the combined vote of the Demo-
Gratis and dissatisfied Republicans
could safely constitute a majority of
the people. 1t can therefore be read
lily understood what is meant by the
majority being ruled by the minority.
Another thing that must not be lost
sight of in this primary. If you do
vote ii is absolutely necessary that you
make a cross before the name of each
and every man you desire to vote for
and see nominatd. 1t is impossible to
cast ballot by making one mark, as
is the case for voting a straight ticket
in the regular election.
Finally this is supposed to be a free
country made up of liberty loving citi-
zens. Why therefore have the Social
lists and Prohibitionists been legislat-
ed out OF existence so far as a pre-
ferential vote is concerned? Every
man who loves liberty and believes
that men should be permitted to give
expression to their political prefer
ences should see to IL that his ballot
is cast against those who have been
parties to perpetrating this reprehen-
sible law upon the citizenry of this
state.