The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-04-10
By HONORABLE GEORGE W NORRIS United State
Senator FINN Nebraska

Senator from Nebraska
OUR government is founded upon the theory that the
people sufficiently intelligent to control their own
The primary is simply method by which
the will of the people can be ascertaned the selection
of those who shall make and administer the laws under
which the people live. There is nothing
about Neither is it perfect But until can
find better system, ought to devote our energies
toward its improvement by making whatever amendments
experience demonstrates always having in
the fundamental principle that are trying to de-
wise plan by which the people will into the con-
troll of their government.
We cannot hope devise plan that will make it
uuossible for mistakes to occur But every government
whatever the system nominating candidates for Office
ought provide by law for the recall of its officials by
the people If the people should make mistake, they
viii correct it.
The primary is part of our election machinery. 1t
is lust important and often important, than the
official election which follows. people who are qua-
fed to for candidates at the general election are
likewise qualified select those candidates at the pr
mary election It requires TO more intelligence to vote
the primary election than it does at the regular ee
ton To deny citizen the right to select cand
dates conne his suffrage rights solely to dee
sion between candidates after they have been selected Is
in reality partial denial of the right of suffrage. 1t
very often that the voter is given the right only
n decide between two evils THE RIGHT TO SELECT
CANDIDATES is FUNDAMENTAL IN A FREE GOVERN
MFNT AND WHENEVER THIS RIGHT is DENIED OR
CURTAILED, THE GOVERNMENT is BENG PLACED
BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE PEOPLE
THE DIRECT PRIMARY PROTECTS DEMOCRACY
SENATOR NORRIS FOR A QUARTER OF
CENTURY HAS FAITHFULLY REPRESENTED THE
INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE NATIONAL
CONGRESS ALWAYS FIGHTING IN THE FRONT
RANK FOR PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRACY, HE Is
ADMIRABLY QUALIFIED TO TELL US:
WHY THE BOSSES HATE THE DIRECT PRl-
MARY
Why THE NDEpfNDENT VOTER IS THE
BEST CITIZEN.
WHAT MAKES PARTISAN GOVERNMENT IN
EFFICIENT AND CORRUPT.
WHY THE PRESIDENT SHOULD BE NON
PARTISAN ~ ,-o,,
Est GOVERNMENT
THEN REGISTER FOR THE PRIMARIES AND
THE PRIMARY PUTS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
THINKING AND ACTING UPON THE INDIVIDUAL
CITIZEN THE MORE HE THINKS AND The L9NeER .
THE BETTER AND THE HAPPIER WILL BE THE PEo-
PIE WHO ARE THUS GOVERNED
Power of the Newspapers Under the Primary
Another AFFECTION made to the primary is that it
gives control nominations to the newspapers There
is no what the primary increases the influence
and power of newspapers The newspaper that pub
fishes true report of political news ought to
huence increased it will thereby promote in
tellgent selection of candidates The newspaper that
shades the way that will carry out its pol
icies, which permits its editorial policy to be
by its advertising will lose its influence
intelligent electorate judgment the news
paper rapidly it judgment upon public man
person who does realize the discriminating power
of the American voter in the news which he gathers
mainly through the daily press has msJudged the Amer
lean people The dishonest newspaper is quickly de-
tected as the dishonest citizen
Politicians Afraid of Democracy
believe that the movement to bring back the old
convention system engendered by deeeated strust
OF the people on the of the caed political leaders
They fear they will lose their power if people are
permitted to decide their political problems There
fore they desire to return the old system which enables
them TO maintain complete control of leadership of
their parties.
These men talk democracy in public Actually they
are afraid of democracy They afraid it will
not work out in practice because they-the chosen
will be shorn of their power dictate The last thing
they want is the rule Of the people They be the
government themselves
That is what they fighting for The direct pri-
mary threatens their existence Therefore thew are
broadcasting vivid pictures of the benefits of the
on system, hoping that the people will be taken in
They won't. The primary is here To STAY