The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-09-29
Primary HOdge-POdge

ASstninity OF political maneuVerlhs peIHissO'$
under the present primary laws il forc'biy brought
10 mind by situations in the various sections OF the
nation North Dakota is no exception. There is 2
condition. IN this state possible under !ooseJontea
election iw. that serves purpose except TO pie
M the cost Of elections t. the taxpayers
Men defeated at the first primary runoff. bob
up again by the petition route and, like Banquos
ghost refuse Tn be dcwned. Despite the Tunney
blows to their political aspirations administered IN
June they insist taking second count in No
vcmbcr, despite the utter hopeessness Of their
cause II is a condition that should disgust the
electorate with the primary law as it operates in
this and several states.
II should be impossible for defeated candidate
to enter in the fall by petition. sticker or in any
other manner except he is chosen by legally
constituted political committee TO fill vacancy.
Our primary laws should be made more definite and
binding upon candidates and parties. There are
many complications and inconsistencies in the cleo
ton machinery. The approaching session OF the
legislature could bring about more orderly elections
by Il complete revision Of the laws governing cleo
items.
The primary law has been regarded as u more
or less sacred palladium of the peoples liberties
and even to criticize it has been regarded in some
quarters strictly de trop But results Of the pri-
mary after decade more Of operation have
reputc Elections are no cleaner than under the
convention system. The political machine with its
bosses has not been eliminated and there have
grown up many sharp practices that subvert popu-
lar rule and majority selections The politicians
have learned how to defeat those ends the primary
law was supposed to serve
IL may not be possible to wipe out the primary
method of selecting candidates, but the process can
be safeguarded and party action regulated that
a situation such as faces the North Dakota voters
this fall could not exist.
Surely there could be- question TO the in
tent Of the electorate reflected in the June pr
maries. The pre- November manipulation Of de-
feated and disappointed candidates to get the
ballot after one defeat is hardly what the American
people term good craftsmanship, despite the fact
that these candidates doubtless will not make as
good showing in November they did in June
In the Massachusetts, primaries recently candi-
date for lieutenant governor formally withdrew as
a candidate, but too late to prevent his name from
going ON the ballot. He campaigred for another
candidate and issued frequent statements regard
ing his retirement. What happened? He was
elected by large majority, showing that when a
large field of candidates present their names to
the electorate there is confusion and little or
no discrimination shown. The candidate nom
mated against his will in this instance resigned ami
the vacancy was filled By the party committee.
There are many like instances illustrative Of the
peculiar workings Of the primary law In few
fields Of politics is there any greater demand for
reform than in the legal phases Of the election ma
clineryhataAyl parties in North Dakota to their
alvant Nall give thoughtful consideration to
ANEW plan Is govern elections The present law is
wholly Inadequate and needs thorough revamping.