The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-11

! From Farewell Message OF George
w. Clarke as Governor of the State OF
Iowa: The nomination Of candidates Tor
i public office in this state by primary
election has been in vogue for PERIOD
of ten years-a long enough time 70
give its efficiency and adaptability to
the purposes designed by its advocates
a reasonable test. Results from the
beginning have not been entirely sat
isfactory. Changes from time to time
have been made in the hope OF making
| 1t an approved instrument Of popular
government. No Improvement has
been perceived l cannot but reach
the conclusion that those who see in
our primary laws tendency towards
the destruction of the representative
principle upon which this government
was built are right.
/, AS to the further practical opera
ton OF the primary laws it may be
said that nobody is responsible for re-
suits, Nobody dominates candidates
for public Offices. They select them
selves. The question of fitness is not
discussed and passed upon by any
body. They are found in the field.
Multiplied thousands of voters know
nothing about their qualifications and
do not and cannot take the time to
If they could to whom
would they go? To everybody only
And everybody is nobody. The voter
simply ratifies the candidates selec-
ton OF himself. The most intelligent
voter does not know how to mark his
ballot below the head OF the ticket. 1t
is manifest that 1t would be better II
candidates were selected by represen-
tatiyes chosen by the people in small
units of government. Then there could
be some canvass as to fltness. Then
responsibility could be located Then
the people could, indeed, select their
candidates. 1t is not democratic where
the voter expresses no opinion as to
nearly the whole of the ticket he casts.
He makes no selection. He votes blind
ly , Why insist that he wait until he
Is 81 years Of age before he does this
He could do 1t Us well at ii. Or why
insist that the voter be male. A
16-year-old girl could make stab at
the field with just as much certainty
of impaling the best men. There could
not possibly be greater delusion than
that a repeal OF the primary laws
would deprive the people of the pow
err of direct participation in the gov
eminent. The fact is that the primary
cannot proceed with the greatest eff
cheney. precision and intelligence by
multitudes. In great emergency
and We cannot conclude 1t will never
arise-could there be any certainty
under the primary system that a
great. strong, forceful man, lost in his
devotion to his country. its inspiring
traditions and his belief in its great
destiny could be chosen! The primary
tends to exclude the best, most un-
selfish and capable man. The rule
IS that they will not undergo the meth
DDS which seem necessary to success.
the demagogue. lower to debasement
the tone Of our political life, deprive
the country Of great leadership inspired
only by 9 desire for thu -coh,mon good.
a leadership that Is not based upon
and which would scorn to appeal to
the prejudices and want OF vision OF
men, but which is on FIRE with the great
things Of life which develop great cit.
izenship and build states upon endur
ing foundations. Let this be calle ]
ideal 1t is the hope of America. But
yonder in the distant day. Yonder is
the great population of hundreds OF
millions There lie the great ques
lions OF the future. We have had
nothing like them yet It is not toe
early to cry back to the people. back
to them in their strong representa-
tive capacity, where they can speak
in their, protest. discriminative, really
democratic, seiective, elective force
IA thing which they do not and cannot
do now.
The tendency Of our present system
is to grow worse. Such has been the
result
So far as the presidential prefer
ence primary law is concerned. 1t has
been rightly called farce.
The non-partisan judiciary law. a!
1t stands, has also demonstrated it,
utter futility to effect its purpose. L
! has moved the judiciary into politics
/ 1t invites into a political game tina
/ has not one thing to commend 1t bu
I Everything to condemn 1t. The flelt
is open for every mediocre to become
candidate Il invites the art o.
IOWA PRESS COMMENT.