The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-03-20
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

North Dakota has come through another presidential
primary with light vote at heavy 1t has
Coolidge endorsement that may much and then
the other hand it may nothing For outside consump
ton at least impression that North Dakota
is becoming less radical Until the delegates and electors
are determined, know whether for Coo
dge one-thrd for him and the other wothr for Hiram
and Bob LaFolette.
Such paradoxes of the preferential primary
is possible under the hodge podge ballot to endorse Coo
dgC and then saddle mixed delegation upon him that will
vote they read the election trend.
LaFoletes and Johnsons combined will be in
of Coodges vote Those who oppose Coolidge will say this
reflects protest against the national admir- straton Let
the friends of Laoete and Johnson TAX what soace they
that they right wrong but under system
the voters should accept the fact that Coolidge has carried
the state and entitled to the loyal support of the deega
ton unless primaries are to be made ridiculous.
Oil and Daugherty may have brought out heavier
vote ,, for the opponents of Coolidge than otherwise
facts behind the LaFoee stcker campaign know that the
situation came because of fight in the nonparsan league
ranks and feeling among Coolidge supporters that
forcing LaFoette into the would divide the opposition
and give Coolidge endorsement An example merely of
Of the many abuses of the present primary system But
these political tricks often defeat their ends than
they accomplish the desired goal LaFolete honorably
through stcker to checkmae the clique backing Johnson
At present writing it appears that LaFolete will be
second high man. most remarkable victory by virtue of
scker and in defiance of aFolettes Wishes thanks
the primary system
Many North Dakota voters worship Bob" LaFolette.
lie has become political habit in this state Bryan is
with some Democrats who don't vote today unless the Com
happens to be the ballot in capacity other
sin senator would have hands down. But between
Coolidge and Hiram Johnson very asute politicians
to believe that Coolidge would have been the victor
The Republican national committee should not be eated
the North Dakota election. 1t may result Coolidge
delegation and The Tribune hopes that such will be the
but the loophoes in the law many that the
delegates whoever they unless bound by of honor
may do they please without much fear for the
That why people in large numbers refuse to
to the polls in presidential primary years
Four years ago blizzard ragged and only 81 900
persons voted out of possible 100000 or more Women did
not have the suffrage then The present will be-
tween $4,000 and 100000 out of possible 100000 votes
This is about sixty cent of normal and it not fo
the Fedge lien law city and township elections and interest
aroused the election laws referred at this election
the total vote would have been much less
word to the expense of the presidential primary.
This election when the cost of the publicity pamphlet
sidered will probably be somewhere in the neghborood
$250OOO and may reach $3OO000 This year every female
voter received of the publicity pamphlet which meant
two three copies to home where would have su
feed all of which is taken out of the already heavily bur-
dened taxpayers
AS far presidential preference concerned, the
issue could have been settled at cost to the taxpayers
more efficiently and effectively in party conventions. y
Coolidge has plurality VOTE just how many delegates
to back that preference will be elected be known until
the official vote is tabulated.
So much for monumental farce: The Presidential
Primary.