The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-10-08

led to the defeat at the general cleo
ton of the Democratic nominee ac-
cused of having been counted i'm,
and the election of Herbert S. Had
ley as the first Republican Governor
for Missouri since 1872.
Atkinson for Present Primary System
Atkinson is an earnest, devoted and
avowed champion Of the present state
wide primary system under which
electors of all parties have the sacred
and important privilege of selecting
the candidates oform their party
ticket for each general election.
1t is contended that when a pri-
mary is legally and properly conduct
ed the party tickets which result are
the choice of at least plurality of
voters, without dictation from erst-
while party bosses, big interests, or
any other powers which united in the
old days of the convention plan and
forced the nominations of previously
selected states.
And we'll might Atkinson be the
champion of a high class direct pri-
mary system for the sole reason that
he owes the fact that he is the pres
ent Democratic nominee for Govern
or to his great popularity among a
huge portion of the party electors out
in rural districts, who were numerous
enough to overcome the big plurality
piled up in st. Louis for the favorite
candidate of the obsses and the big
interests. Atkinson's vote outside of
St. Louis gave him a plurality of 3d.
600. Had the old convention system
of naming the party ticket still been
: in vogue it is known fact that At
kinson would not now be the Demo-
cratic gubernatorial candidate. And,
also, that the fearless sterling law
I enforcing former Prosecuting Attor-
ney of Butler county, Willis H. Mere
dith, would not have been named as
the party candidate for Attorney
General, owing to the heavy opposi-
ton of the huge, wealthy and there
fore powerful liquor interests of st.
Louis and Kansas City.
! Next House Must Be Democratic
Atkinson, when Governor Of Mis-
souIi, is entitled to General Assem-
bly, in perfect harmony and accord
with the progressive program he in
tends to carry out. The House must
be Democratic as we'll as the Senate.
1t is therefore necessary at the COM
ing election for all Democratic men
and women to turn out and vote the
ticket straight from top to bottom
When this is done all close counties
will 90 Democratic. Cole, Moniteau,
Atchison, Bollinger, Clark, Cooper
Dekalb, jefferson, Livingston, Mont
geometry, Newton, Pettis, Ste. Gene
We've and Washington, and at least
one, if not both, of the district OF JAS
per and Greene counties will elect
Democratic representatives, but al.
Democratic men and women mus
turn out on election day and vote the
ticket to accomplish the coup. The
House of 1919 consisted of 81 Demo
Gratis and rs Republicans. The cleo
ton of only six more Democrats t.
take the places Of that many Repub
licans in tie next House will AJAX,
the membership 73 Democrats and 6!
Republicans.
Through revision of both the stat
primary and the general election law
: is one of the planks in the Democrati
state platform adopted at jefferson
City, Sept. IA. john M. Atkinson a
|, candidate for Governor furnished tn
paramount suggestions for the sa
q iient planlis in the platform.
"The primary law should be re
, written and violations evasions OF
pcnalized as severely as in the gen
: elal election laws. In the first plac
9 election oardbs, or someone els'
4 should have authority to see tina
|. proper election officials are appoint
ed. The law should provide that
! the party committeeman do not ret
!, ommend suitable persons the electio
!. boards may appoint others" said Al
kinson to the St. Louis Star.
!, "My personal opinion is that if tn
present laws were strictly enforce
= there would not be much opportunit
; for fraud, but, in view of the fact this
: women now have the vote, am goin
4 to urge sweeping revision to max
v fraud more difficult and to max