Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-08-24
A PARAMOUNT DUTY

Whether we approve of the primary law or not, it is the dut
of every eIector to make use of the privilege by voting their part
is of more importance to the citizens than the general election. b.
the selection of the voters at the primaries strength or weakness
is given to the parties and often the result is apparent at the gen
eral election. There is little excuse for anyone who fails to vote
at the primary election, as the law is plain and gives everyone ar
opportunity without seriously interfering with anyene2s vocation
The polls will be open between the hours of l o'clock and z O'Clock
p m. in every precinct of the county, thus giving everyone ample
time for casting their vote.
While the voter is permitted to select the party which he
elects to support, his ballot must be confined to that party
throughout. While it is possible under the present Montana law
for a concerted assault upon the opposition ticket with a view to
weakening it at the expense of a popular and dangerous candidate,
there is very little likelihood that any such move would take place,
as at the best, it would be a very hazardous expedient and more
than likely would result in harm to the political party that would
sanction any such plan. Any talk of such proceedings is simply
idle and not worthy of consideration.
The issue of the primary law is not now under consideration.
The fact that we have it in force makes it of paramount import
ance that we make the best possible use of it and that can be done
only by every elector going to the polls and casting their vote for
the party candidates. There seems to be no lack of candidates
for every office in the state and county and while it is not in good
taste to make any comparisons in this article, the records of nearly
all of them are available to every voter and should be carefully
considered before making a selection. Personal popularity or
class affiliations are not always a guarantee of the best public
service and the modest candidate whose record II capaDnty ahff
honesty of purpose is little known outside the circle of his per.
sonal friends. is overshadowed by the blatant promises of his more
aggressive opponents. However the privilege of self advertise
ment is open to all under the primary system, and most generally
those desiring political preferment take full advantage of it.
Although there is a widespread idea that the primaries in
our own county are dominated by the larger vote of Great Falls,
and even if such be the fact, nevertheless it is of the utmost i'm
portance that all those of the rural communities should get out and
vote at the primaries, as in the present campaign 1T has developed
that there are sufficient candidates who reside in Great Falls
to materially split the vote and it is quite within the possibilities
that the rural communities, which have several candidates In the
may secure representation upon one or another or both OF
the party tickets. Make it a point to vote at the primaries.
At all events, if the wrong man is selected by the voters at the
our judgment is about the only thing that can be said in favor of
the primary law. il