The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-08-20
ELECTION LAWS Of
IDAHO NEED CHANGE
GOVERNOR MCCONNELL MAKES
SOME GOOD SUGGESTIONS
hfGARDING THE MATTER.

Deep interest is taken in the pri-
mary laws of Idaho, which appear to
be satisfactory to no one, and almost
every one demands a change. w. J..
( Mcconnell, ex-governor, and ex-
United States senator who has given
the mater considerable thought, has
suggestion which he offers here
with. Governor Mcconnell wishes it
understood that he is not in politics
nor is he taking part in any partisan
matters, but this is question that
affects the whole state and the whole
people and he thinks it is a matter
of sufficient Importance to be taken
up at once by the conventions. His
! very ably written article follows:
Editor Daily Star Mirror,
| Moscow, Idaho.
trust that you will kindly give
space in the columns of the Star
Mirror for a brief discussion of the
election laws of the state of Idaho.
The experience of other states led
i the Idaho legislature to enact a pri-
mary election law, but after a trial
of that Act continuing over several
| biennial elections it was discovered
| that the law was defective in that it
did not protect party organizations,
but permitted republicans to control
the nominations of the democratic
party, and in return permitted demo-
Gratis to retaliate by entering and
voting at republican primaries; to
remedy this palpable defect the Idaho
Legislature at the last session enacted
a newelection law which remedies the
most serious defect of the old pri-
mary law, and provides for a return
to the old convention system, such re-
INV 10 4[a Of,o IL
politician and convention manipula-
tor. The present of new convention
system preferable to the old conven-
ton system for the manifest reason
that the taxpayers are required to
pay the railroad fare of the political
boosters who attend the state conven-
tions.
County conventions have been re-
Gently held in the several counties
of Idaho to elect delegates to the
democratic and republican conven-
tions to be held at Idaho Falls and
Pocatello respectively the Oath inst,
and at some of these conventions the
hand of the political boss was SO
clearly in evidence as to condemn the
convention system; reference is made
to the democratic seance at Wallace at
which delegates were chosen to at
tend the democratic state convention
at Idaho Falls, and particular atten-
tion is directed to the disgraceful
sene enacted at the recent republican
held at Boise in Ada coun-
ty, Idaho, where the political steam
roller was so effectively applied to
crush the ambition of those who had
the temerity to advocate a change
in the present method of administer
ing our state government. | have no
desire to reflect upon the present
state officers; so far as | know they
have faithfully performed their re-
spective duties, but | regret that re-
gardless of public interest candidates
for the sevreal state offices in the gift
Of the people should indulge, either
in person or by their henchmen, in
such unseemly contests as were
waged at our state capital during the
recent Ada county republican con-
vention. 1t will be the duty of both
the democratic and republican conven-
lions which will meet next Tuesday to
provide by resolution for the enact
ment of primary law which will alb
olish the expense and confusion of
conventions and give the
people an opportunity to name the
men and women they desire to honor
oy an election to office. Such pri-
mary law can be so drawn that it
will, while protecting the people pro-
;ect party organization and integrity.
Respectfully for democracy,
w. J. MCCONNELL.