Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-17
MAHER ADDRESSES
REPUBLICAN W0MEN'S
CLUB SATURDAY

HULL oCuiAlCt OldhcE VI aug US
IA addressed the Republican Wo-
mans club Of this city Saturday
evening on the subject of 1.-The Pri-
mary LAX" A good representation
Of the Republican ladies of Waterville
were present and enjoyed Mr.. Ma
hers fine talk. At the opening Of the
meeting a short business session was
held at which several matters were
taken up and the invitation extended
to those interested to join. This or
ganization Is growing well and by
June the officers expect to have a
very large enrolment Of the Water
willie Republican women.
Mr.. Maher when called to speak
said that he was glad to have the
privilege to talk with a group of citi-
zcns who were organized for the pur-
pose such as the Woman's Republi-
can club. He remarked that previous
to the passing of the suffrage law he
had been opposed to the act, but af-
ter It had >-one into effect, and he had
had the opportunity to meet the fine
representations such as this one he
had seen his mistake and was glad
to see the woman interested in the
affairs OF the Nation.
In opening his discussion Of the Pri-
mary law. the speaker gave a brief
outline Of three distinctive things in
the United States Government. name
ly. written constitution. judicial sys-
tenn and the Primary.
In the Primary system he explain
ed how n man wishing to gain GER
tain office, whether for individual in
terest or interest in the welfare OF
his state. proceeds to put his name
on the ballot. He said that this man
must secure a primary petition on
which there are not less than one per
cent or more than two per cent of the
names OF the voters in the last CUB
ertbrial vote.
The man desiring Office begins his
campaign after the first of January
and has until the second Monday In
June. the date. of the primary cleo
ton. Any man who gets the requir-
ed number of SIGNATURES is declared q
candidate and will have his name en-
tered on the ballot lists for the nri-
mary election. when the voters s''ec'
the candidate to represent their party
In the fall election.
Mr.. Maher explained that there
were n few Pre- Primary require
nents. He or she desiring to take
part In the primary must be regis
tered voter and must also be enroll
ed. The latter is secured by going to
tho city clerk and entering the name
The speaker then explained some OF
the qualifications which voter must
haye He referred to the changes In
registration which r1ust be made six
months before the primary election
This means that if Democrat wish
es to vote on the Republican ballot
in tho Primarv. he or sho must he
re~istcrd as HnNublicHn s'v months
before the election. or visa versa
This Is To prevent the opposing part,
To control the selection of candi-
date. and is called the closed Pri-
mary. In tho country districts. the
opeu Prim2ry Is used TO n great eX-
'ont. II one party has weak ~""-
i'dnte voters in tho opposing party
will vote for this man. hoping &c
nominate him and 'hcu whom the,
vote in the final election hetweer
nariies in the fall thew will eastl,
dcfeat the week candidate. Mr.. Ma
her declared that he was STRONGLY OPP
posed to this manner Of rortrnllipo
elections and that he believed II
time. tho closed Primary would be
universal.
The Snea ker declared that corruh-
tlon in politics. arising from this
method had had great deal to dc
with the enthusiasm recently aroused
for the repeal Of the Primary law
Cor he believed that this method was
rs clean rs any form Of selection OF
candidates. more 90 especially than
the old caucus system.
After his Address number OF
questions were asked to which he
gave ready answers. showing his IN
niliaritv In the subject which he had
discussed