The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1923-03-01

Gentlemen return herewith, with
out my approval. House Bill No 40,
providing tor holding state-wire pri-
mary elect
have many reasons for withhold
ing my approval of this bill. My prin-
cipal and most vital objection is that
it is based upon an unsound theory.
and tends to destroy our representa-
tive form of government Primary
elections are largely determined by
the personality of the candidate rath-
er than the things for which he
stands, and we must not forget that
this government waxed great because
1t has been a government of law and
not of men. of principles and not of
individuals l also object to this bill
on account of its form, on account of
the great expense of its operation
because it confers power and patron
age in populOus centers, because it
permits manipulation by multiplying
candidates to defeat the real desires
the voters, and in practice limits the
people to a choice of officials from
among men of wealth or wide repu-
tation
Even if it be assumed that any pri-
mary election law would be workable,
this bill contains many errors and
OMISSIONS which make me question its
successful operation, and there are
some features of the bill which are
particularly Objectionable such as the
official power by permitting only sue
cessful candidates and campaign man
ayers to dictate the policy, and exer- |
else the control of political parties.
The practical operation of this bill
would lay a heavy expense on the peo-
pie of the state. The dominant note
of the campaign was the necessity for
economy In my messages to the leg
islature, and in my contact with its
committees and individual MEMBERS /.
have repeatedly urged that no leg
islation be enacted which would lay II
new burdens on the taxpayers This
bill would increase the cost of cleo
tions over a hundred thousand dol n
lars to the taxpayers and an equal
Neither as taxpayers nor as citizens ,
can we afford to assume this new ex- In
pense.
Injustice of System. /
Again, this law would apply most /
inequitably in Idaho. We had a pri- &
mary law in this state for number OF t
years which was the same as this /
bill in principle. The peculiar geo. I
graphic divisions of the state, with u
but few centers of population. result I
ed in a great majority of the Office {
holders during that period being nom
mated and elected from the immedi- ,
ate neghborhood of the largest city
in our state where the largest vote is Z
cast. Remote districts and the less {
populous counties were not proper b
tionately nor adequately represented !
in our state government. The man !
from the farm, from the village, or +
the county with but few votes, start !
ed out in his campaign for nnomina-
ton with the almost unsurmountable ,
handicap of the larger vote of the cit ,
les, which usually was cast for the ,
4
practical purposes, was excluded
from aspiring to public Office. The
expense of two campaigns confined
office seeking almost entirely to two
classes of citizens, the well to do and
the well known. Candidates and their
friends, possessed of means and in
fluence, induced dummy candidates to
enter the primaries. thus dividing the
votes and defeating the real wishes
Of the people. These inequalities of
of distribution of Office
and manipulation of candidates,
should not be fostered or permitted -
rhe man of ability from country dis
riots should have equal opportunity =
with the man of ability from the q
own, and the potential statesman OF u
title means is entitled to the same .
chance to rise as his wealthy broth
II. A few years ago, under the direct =
law, one of the great politi- ''
al parties of this state had a most
bitter experience and at the urgent
solicitation of its leaders Idaho aban-
Toned the statewide direct primary.
lfter a thorough trial Nothing has
since that time to warrant C
anyone in thinking that another
statewide primary law would be free
rom the pernicious effects which fol- h
owed the operation of the one which Il
vas repealed il
do not believe the thoughtful tax Ia
paying portion of our people desire b.
his class of legislation. The politi- N
al party to which I am proud to be- iir
ong spoke overwhelmingly in its con- T
rention and in the election against
jtate-wide primary. Promises made Il
~ political parties are solemn v
pledges which should be held sacred Ii
\ majority of she members of'the leg b.
stature representing my party, with Il
N honest and sincere desire to keep n
9th With tho naopla voted against ,,