Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-02-21
THE ELECTION LAWS

Reports from the state capitol in
dictate that the politicians figure on
being successful in staying the march
Of progress-that they will juggle the
election laws with the view Of legal
izing partisan conventions to ba held
to name candidates for Office, and thus
restore to the political schemers and
the interests they represent some Of
the power which the people of Mime
sofa in an unguarded moment had
been able to secure for themselves.
We don't believe the legislators
will dare do this. 1t is said the Re-
publican state organization will force
| thru this legislation. So much the
worse for said Republican organiza-
ton. 1t may be able ito lead the
horse to water, but it cannot force it
to drink" The idea that you can build
and maintain political parties by law
is entirely erroneous. When the polit-
ical party ceases to be a free agent
Its usefulness in crystalizing public
sentiment is gone.
II there is anything in our present
| laws which prohibits. political parties
or groups of citizens to call represent
tative gatherings to decide upon stan
dard bearers and candidates to be
supported by members of such par
ties, repeal such provisions. We do
not believe there are any such pro-
visions. But don't ask the govern
ment to legalize the do1ngs of any
such convention, nor the taxpayers to
stand the expense of running party
primaries or caucuses.
Cut out all the red-tape that is be-
coming more snarled and difficult to
entangle after every revision OF the
election laws Simplify the whole
business, reduce the expense, and in
sure majority elections by very sim.
pie expedient. An expedfent that will
return us to first principles as they
existed from ITS to 1892, and still
safeguard the sanctity Of the ballot
box and fair count.
ABOLISH THE LEGALlZATION
OF POLITICAL PARTIES BY LEG.
ISLAT1VE ENACTMENT.
To do this under the Australian bal
lot system, it is necessary to abolish
the party name from the ballot.
That is very simple thing to do
but it will be most effective
Now don't dismiss this as imprac
tical without serious thought: Would
it lead to chaotic conditions? No
Would it kill legitimate political par
ties? No. Would it prevent the op
GRAFTON Of legalized political machines
which trim their sails to catch every
wind that blows in order to contrO
the offices. 1t would do so. decidedly
Such outfits would have to be able "te
, fool all the people all the time" in or
. der to be successful.
The state should furnish the people
simple and safe means of express
ing their will at the ballot box-ant
then let the people do the rest.
The state should provide one pri
mary election to eliminate minorit,
candidates, and a general election tt
elect its officials by majority vote
from the two candidates having the
highest vote for each Office at tn,
! primary.
Think it over. Look at the propo
sition from any angle you like. L
, fectly square deal in the election
laws, you will be compelled to admi
that we are right.
[ II you must juggle the election
r laws, improve them. Don't go ava!
r back in the mire! Don't turn bacl
, the hands OF progress!
Go to some Eastern State where tn,
, political party machines are supreme
= and watch how they run their cleo
j.. tiOns. Then come back to our goo,
3 old North Star State and thank Gol
4 that we have more progressive law
which encourage political independ
ence, recognize the citizens as think
4 ing people instead OF mere automat
Ons. and safeguard the will of the ma
y jority to a much greater degree thai
where the political boss has absolute
q sway!
Mr.. Legislator, keep Minnesot
s looking forward!