The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-08-04
A DEMOCRACY IN ACTON.

n is Interesting to observe democracy in.
action. That was The marked news oven, OF
yesterday. democracy selecting candidates on
two tickets. 1t was not, however, particularly
rcnsSuring to the thoughtful citizer. A prl.
mary election scarcely bo considered roas.
Snrins TO any citizen.
The cector, presenting himself or herself
at tho polls yesterday was given three ballots.
a state ballot, county ballot and sort OF dis
,riet ballot, the latter covering the aspirations
ot candidates for constable. On each were
long list OF namcs---citlzens indulging the
iaudabe aspiration to serve their country.
The eeotor's duty was to select ono OF a
considerable list for each office. on the re-
publican ticket appeared fourteen candidates
fei senator, q half f-dozen for corporation COM
missioner, and so down the line to constable.
Che democratic ticket was like unto I, except
the senatorial contest where the fight was be-
tween two men.
The average elector probably had some vague
notion about the Qualifications OF a halt.dozen
men an the entire list The average elector
probably had come in personal contact with
como OF the candidates for county offices. But
tho nverage eicetor was compelled In n vast
majority OF cases 10 make wild guess In Sc
lcctlnE mon for most OF the offices he must
OF necessity fiji
That statement applies TO both democrats
and republicans. We will venture tho assertion
that there was not man woman in Tulsa
yesterday who voted n full ticket OF men known
or even heard of prior TO entering the voting
booth to the receipt Of instructions from
some slate maker.
And we expect efficient, economical. honest
government. to grow out OF that system OF
icetlng candidates.
I Tho result today is this: We do not know
who they are as yet but u set OF men are
nominated ON both party tickets without So
por cent of their supporters knowing whether
they are white or black, dew or GENTLE, capable
or incapable, good or bad
And from such system we expect good
officials to sprlngt
Under tho primary system as II actually
works In Oklahoma, Il would be possible for
the greatest red" In the world TO assume n
name favorable 20 position thu ballot, and
without lifting his finger to do moro than COM
ply with the law In making his own filing,
withdraw into a closter, not show himself to
soul in the state during the oampnign or
speak word concerning his purposes and
vet win the nomination.
Good government cannot come In such
manner except by the merest accident
II the primary Is TO remain II may become
necessary TO enact a Law forbidding any can
didate TO appear In public excepting In com-
pony with all those who oppose him--that
every voter who secs and hears one may have
the opportunity to compare and draw reason
able conclusions.
Under the primary system or two CON
tests overshadow all others. In the campaign
just closed It WIS the senatorial contest IN both
parties. The contest In the democratic party
was thorough Too thorough, suspect for
the best interests OF eithor candidate. For
II n scintla charged by either candidate or
his friends is true both are unfit to represent
any state In any capacity.
For Ferris would be proven CRATER of the
petty thieving order for voting himself t6,5s2la
from the public treasury that he did not earn.
and Gore n traitor to his country
Tho World does not believe the primary can
endure, 1t must either be very materially inn
proved or It win inevitably fall of It's own
weight 1t is Impossible, It invites fraud and
It makes the public service of the people the
certain victim OF political adventurers. Tho
impossible situation brought about by it in the
Eighth district. due to the death OF Congress-
man Morgan must give every citizen serious
pause as he contempiates the logical conse.
quence Of H.
The convention system was impossible. But
IL was preferable to the primary, We say that
In the utmost sincerity and good faith The
bosses may have controlled a. times. But with
the responsibility fixed upon them by the very
manner in which they were compelled to work
E