The Minnesota fiery cross. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1924-19??, 1924-05-09

were during the previous 20 years.
Judiciary Improved
There has been decided improve
ment in one branch of the govern
ment under the primary law, namely,
the judiciary. To demonstrate that,
let me ask you this question: II
there was a matter involving popu-
lar rights to be submitted to court,
which court would you prefer to have
determine it, the district court of
the state or the federal court? Our
district judges are all nominated I'M
der the primary law The federal
judges are all appointed under the
old system.
''The statewide primary law as
sumes that the citizens are capable
of selecting for themselves their
state officers. The delegate system
assumes that they are not. / think
that they are. Under the primary
system the individual voter goes to
the polls, and all alone with his pen
Gil in little booth, makes a mark
opposite the names Of the men he
would like to have govern him under
his own party. Under the delegate
system, all voter could do would
be to go and make a mark after the
name Of one of his neighbors to whom
he would deliver the right to select
candidate for him.
"If there has been any weakening
of party discipline, it has been due
rather to the non-partisan features
Of the law by which county officials
and members of the legislature are
named without party distinction. ]
have no objection whatever to having
that changed. In particular, | think
it would be desirable to have the city
officers, including the aldermen,
elected on a partisan ticket but /
would have them nominated at pri-
mary election, just as we nominate
them now.
1t is claimed that the statewide
primary makes it so expensive upon
the candidate. Granted. But a dele
gate system would make it more ex
pensive. 1t has always been expen-
sive to secure nominations to high
office. know of no way to prevent
it. 1t is claimed that it is disgust
ing spectacle. to see large number
of candidates file for the office of
governor. 1t does no harm at all.
Let them file. Only the best can be
elected. All they do is waste their
time.
''This mornings Tribune states the
official returns from Michigan on
the presidential primary. In round
figures, $4,000 people voted, of which
President Coolidge secured a sub
stantial majority. When you con-
sidere that Henry Ford got more
votes than his Democratic opponent,
and Ford has already Endorsed Cool
idge, you can add another 48,000
making grand total of 100000
votes out of 100000 votes for Cool
idge. In the face of these returns
can you say that the people do not
know who they want?
Says G.. o. p. Can Win
The Republican party can win the
next fight. We have good record
Four years ago when we took COM
mand, we found the. factories down.
trade was stagnant, labor cried aloud
in the market place. Our ships rot
ted in the harbors. Business men
were going bankrupt every hour. War
frauds had been a stencil in the nos
trils of the people. Our sacred Lib
erty bonds were selling at 85c on the
dollar. Now, what have we? Liber-
ty bonds are selling at par. Every
factory in the United States is run
ming practically full blast. The din
ner pail of the laborer is full. Wages
are high. There is no unemployment
and very few bankruptcies. The sew,
en- seas are covered with the wide
wings of our commerce. All this in
four years. 1t is a record of achieve
ment to be proud Of"
The forum on party conventions
and direct primary was the third
which the Lincoln club has conduct
ed to incite interest in the years
election campaigns. The previous
luncheons were field day affairs at
which the candidates for governor
and United States senator spoke.