The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1924-11-19
REPEATING THE PRIMARY LAW

Now that the people of Montana have, by their votes, re-
pealed the presidential preferential primary law, it is to be hoped
that some action may be taken to change the methods under which
political parties in Montana may select candidates for state, coun-
ty and local offices
The primary law is a fine thng-in theory.
It gives every voter an equal chance in the selection of can
didates for whom he shall vote, thus-in ~theory-depriving the
political boss, the "fixer' and the corrupt politician from naming
the candidates.
But does it work?
In 1920, a h~and-picked set Of candidates was foisted upon
the Democratic party in Montana and nominated for state offices
despite all the bona fide members of the party could-or dido
to prevent. These candidates did not at the time of their nomin-
alton claim to be or pose as Democrats and very few of them had
previously been affiliated with the party whose ticket and name
they appropriated.
The abuses growing up under the direct primary system have
utterly destroyed any benefit which may have been derived from
its adoption.
This pernicious plan has done much to break down the theory
OF party responsibility, upon which the very foundation of the
American system of government rests.
And this country has never seen so many demagogues, rad
lcals, near-radcalS, lOud-speakers and others of the w%eT-known
Andy Gump style of POLITICAL architecture elevated to high places
as have put themselves across since the direct primary became
the mandatory method Of selecting candidates.
1t is quite the thing now for publcists and others catering to
or seeking to foster the spirit of discomfort existing among some
people even in these United States today to ask in a doleful
tone of voice, whats the matter with congress"
And publications of nationwide circulation professed last
summer to breathe a deep sigh of relief when our national law
making body adjourned.
And why?
because n people OF the united States nave failed to use
the direct primary to select the best available men for offices in
many cases.
A candidate who goes out con his own" makes a pre-primary
campaign, is nominated and then after another campaign is elect
ed, naturally feels that his success is due not to any party influ-
ence but to his own unaided efforts If he is a congressman or
a United States senator, he is likely to carry this idea to Wash
ingtOn and to act in accordance there with, irrespective of what
party banner he sailed under through the general election.
Under this theory we have witnessed the growth of the "bloc"
system in congress, the breakdown of party responsibility and an
almost total paralysis Of the functions of that important branch
Of our national government.
That abuses existed in the old convention system, no one will
deny. These abuses were in large measure made possible bv the
apathy Of the voters themselves.
On the other hand, those who were nominated for offices.
from United States senator down to constable, were party men.
They knew that they owed their perferment to their respective
political parties and were bound by the platforms and principles
of these organizations. And in most cases they were men Of
integrity and ability, and performed their duties efficiently and
we'll.
We believe that it should be left to the political parties to
select their candidates in any manner which they see fit, so
long as the rank and file is given an opportunity to participate,
either in mass conventions, delegate conventions or primary cleo
lions and that the state and the various counties should bear none
of the expenses in connection Herewith.
The law should also be changed to compel voters to designate
their respective political affiliations when they register.
We have not touched upon the subject of economy-a word
which was quite popular in the late campaign.
Such changes would save more than half the expenses con-
nected with elections in this state. They would restore party
aignments and insure the nomination of candidates upon the
various party tickets by members of their own political organiza-
tions.
And the present condition of political chaos would disappear
IN = 'r'i"5 md resulting party responsibility which
would result therefrom.
The people of this nation would directly benefit by reason
of the fact that they could hold the party in power directly re-
s%ponsible for this acts, and could retire if from office if those acts
were unsatisfactory.
Don't worry about Mr.. Davis. The tax returns indicate that
he can practice law-BOston Transcript.