, 1924-09-18

anu also explains WHY, III HIS VI
way.
The Republican is publishing Mr..
Heagney's letter and believes that
it will prove interesting to many of
our readers:
Casper Wyo., September /, 1924.
r. H.. Alcorn,
Editor Rawlins Republican.
Rawlins, Wyo.
Dear Sir:
In your issue of August 14th and
on Page Is News of Thirty-four
years ago you published the Republic
can nominees for both state and
county offices.
l cannot refrain from commenting
on the way that officers were nom
mated then and now and for the
benefit of those who were not resi-
dents Of Wyoming until after the pri-
mary law went into effect it might
be well to- explain here and now how
officers were chosen or nominated.
For instance the Republicans of
each voting precinct would hold a
caucus and choose one or more (ac-
cording to the number of votes cast
in that precinct) delegates to at
tend a convention at the county seat
to nominate county officers and at
this county convention delegates were
elected to attend a state convention
to nominate state officers and also
Presidential Electors II a presidential
election year. The time and place
set by the convention. This was
all done without any expense to
county or state. as each delegate
paid his own expenses ETC., and for
hall rentals, decorations and other
expenses. Each candidate after be-
ing nominated donated a small
amount to a Central Committee
chosen for the purpose Of conducting
the campaign along party lines and
who expended this money for the
purpose of furthering the interests Of
their party candidates as a whole
and electing each and every one to
the Office for which he was nomin-
ated. Each party was the same on
this or at least should be.
Now As regards the old way OF
nominating as set forth above. 1t
may not be the best way but l hon
estly believe that It was very far
ahead of our present primary law
for this reason.
When delegates from each pre-
cinct in the county in convention as
sembled nominated a certain man Cor
woman) as the case may be for a
certain office on either party ticket
q person who is casting their first
vote in Wyoming could be sure that
the nominee for the office had the
full support Of the party convention
that nominated him and was known
personally to at least some OF the
delegates and was also known to be a
man or woman who II elected could
MI the office with honor to himself
and party. and was not nominated
through or for money or charity.
Take for instance the City OF Casper
and l believe Rawlins IL now in the
same class as regards the Growing
Proposition. We hav so many new
residents that when II comes to n
primary election such as the late one
there is not one person in ten that
can cast what you would call an
intelligent vote. Anyone whether he
he qualified or not can have his or
her name placed on n ticket Tor most
any office and whether resident or
nonresident. Citizen or foreigner
stands just as much show to be nom
mated as the best man In the com
munity and ! contend that this would
be done away with II nominations
were made in the old way. and !
am very sure that we would have
some as good or better officers for
some things than we have now. for
each party always try to pick their
hest men when they have that
chance.
There Is no chance with the pri-
mary or maybe II is Ito many
chances"
We have seen all the newspapers
in the state come out with articles
urging all tho people to get out and
vote Mt these primaries and poll n
full vote and when II comes to the
day to vote you will hear men shy:
whats the use OF me voting. I
don't know any OF them" or they
will ask who In the best one to vote
for" you should know. you're an old
timer here" But the old timer does
not know any more than the other
fellow. But ne docs know that II =
man or woman was nominated In the
old way they werc at least known
In tho community and were entitled
to his support and when election day
rolled around he could meander to
the polling place and cast . what
you cali heem" Intelligent ballot.
do not know your ideas on this
primary law bat I believe AZ least
two thirds Of the people OF our
treat State Of Wyoming will Join me
b saying Il 10 "rhc Bunk"
Yours very truly
AT 4. Kimhal1. iohn = HoaRnoy,