The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-02-26
TELLS REASON FOR
PRIMARY VETO
GOVERNOR MOORE SEES ADDED
EXPENSE-REFERS TO PARTY
PLEDGE ALSO.

Below is reproduced the principal
points in Governor Charles c. Moore's
message to the legislature vetoing
the direct primary bill:
have many reasons for withhold
ing my approval to this bill. My
principal and most vital objection is
that it is based upon an unsound
theory and tends to destroy our re-
preventative form of government.
Primary elections are largely deter
mined by the personality Of the can
didate rather than for the things
for which he stands, and we must not
forget that this government waxed
great because it has been a govern
iment of law and not of men, or prin-
sciples and not Of individuals. I also
object to this bill on account of its
form, on account of the great ex-
spense Of it's operation, because it CEN
ters power and patronage in popu-
lOus centers, because it permits mani
pulation by multiplying candidates to
defeat the real desires of the voters
and in practice limits the people to
choice Of officials from among men
of wealth or wide reputation.
Even If it be assured that any
primary election law would be work
able, this bill contains many errors
and omissions which make me ques-
ton it's successful operation and there
are some features of the bill that are
particularly Objectionable, such as the
attempt to combine party control with
official power by permitting only sue
cessful candidates and campaign man
ayers to dictate the policy and exer-
else the control of political parties.
Objects to Expense.
'The practical operation of this
bill would lay a heavy expense upon
the people of the state The domi-
nant note of the campaign was the
necessity for economy. In my mes
sage to the legislature and in my
contact with its committees and in
dividual members, have repeatedly
urged that no legislation be enacted
which would lay new burdens on the
taxpayers. This bill would increase
the cost Of elections more than $780,
900 to the taxpayers and an equal
amount to the candidates for office.
Neither as taxpayers nor as citizens
can we afford to assume this new
expense.
Again, this law would apply most
inequitably in Idaho. We had a pri-
mary law in this state for a number
of years which was the same as this
bill in principle. The peculiar geo
graphic divisions of the state, with
but few centers of population, re-
suited in a great majority of the Of
flee holders during that period being
nominated and elected from the i'm
mediate neighborhood of the largest
city of our state where the largest
vote is cast. Remote districts and
the less populous counties were not
proportionately nor adequately repre-
sente@ in our state government. The
man from the farm, the village or
from the county with but few votes,
started out in the campaign with the
almost unsurmountable handicap of
the larger votes of the city The
poor man, for all practical purposes,
was excluded from aspiring for Of
flee
Only Wealthy Can Get Office.
The expenses of two campaigns
confined office seeking almost en-
tirely to two classes of citizens, the |
well-to-do and the well known. Can
didates and their friends possessed of |
means and influence induced dummy
candidates to enter the primaries, !
thus dividing the vote and defeating
the real wishes of the people These
of opportunity, of distri- |
button Of office and manipulation of |
candidates, should not be fostered nor
permitted. The man of ability from
country districts should have equal
with the man of ability
from the town and the potential
statesman of little means is entitled |
to the same chance to rise as his
wealthy brother.
" A few years ago, under the direct
primary law, one of the great politi-
cal parties of this state had most
bitter experience and at the urgent
Of it's leaders Idaho aban-
doned the statewide direct primary,
after a thorough trial. Nothing has
since that time to war
rant any one in thinking that an
other statewide primary law would
be free from the pernicious effects
which followed the operation of the.
one which was repealed.
Party Pledge Is Sacred.
ct do not believe the thoughtful
5axpaying portion of our people de-.
sire this class Of legislation. The po-
Iitical patty of which l am proud to
belong spoke overwhelmingly in it's
and in the election against
/ statewide primary. Promises made
oy political parties are solemn Pied
ses which should be held sacred. A
Of the members of the leg
stature representing my party, with
IN honest and sincere desire to keep
'aith with the people, voted against
his bill, and l am of the opinion
IN fact, it is matter of common
1nowledge-that considerable num-
per of those who voted for it did
10 in spite of their own personal con-
yictions and against their better judg !
nent. M
(" The history of the world has de- :
nonstrated that organized effort is
essential to success. The combined :
efforts of individuals agreeing upon