The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-09-04
Repeal of the Primary

drive repeal of primary law is presaged
by the Republican state convention
the appointment of bipartisan committee to make study of
the primary laws of the various states and report the findings
to the session of the legislature.
probable that citizen of the state recognizes
present primary law has its faults To people,
the restriction provides party ticket only
of them These people, feel themselves capable
casting their ballots in support of in their estimation
qualified position sought regardless party aa
The prohibition against doing, provision of the
primary law except for nominations for judicial positions inks
many of the voters
At of the Montana Federation of Labor its
president James D. Graham, his report to the delegates
advocated study of the primary law stating that he law
should either be amended repealed While this may be
the expression of opinion the of
Graham may safely be asserted that does not
the opinion of the majority of the membership of organized
labor has long ago, Mr. Graham well knows, learned
half loaf better than nome And certainly while
would undoubtedly welcome to better the law
will not renqush the privilege of its membership having
direct selection of candidates for political office with
out fight.
There is merit in the suggestion of the appointment of
study of the primary laws other states
if unpreudced committee could be selected to make the
and recommendations for improvement of law
However, the proposal that the committee be selected by chair
of the republican and democratic organization
their findings" foregone conclusion; that the pri
should be repealed and that revert to the old
vention system
The principal argument of the proponents of repeal of the
primary law of that it is damaging to party "cohe
that efficient party system essential
funconing of the parliamentary form of
ment
argument while it cannot be disputed the basis of
its premise of effectiveness certainly be challenged
basic fundamentals of democracy 1t abrdges participation
of the of the people the selection of officials of their
and learned by bitter experience the past
tends enhance the and influence the government
the selfish professional politician He wishes his cand
public And the public take them like
them.
What valid argument is there against the primary? IT,
in order to make the parliamentary form of efec
tive must abrdge right of the people generally
tcpae democracaly in its conduct then that
sttute attack of the fundamental preceps of de-
mocracy and implies that the people whole,
able of segovemen that dictator government is desir
its disregard for the rights of humans
Another claim is that the primary system has of
its faults the possibility of desiring placing his
the ballot candidate Just what is wrong with
that? Isn't that privilege that inherent in democracy
Why should particular person be allowed the privilege that
denied another? And who what group to decide
which of them shall be permitted to before the
candidate? The leaders of particular party the
other forsooh They would set themselves up the only
competent abters of the qualifications of aprans for office
Their evauaon of the merits of candidate would
ionably be based his willingness to function party
His party loyalty would be the determining
And loyalty party does not unfortunately always spell
for and loyalty to the interest of the general public
probable that most of the proponents of
the convention system of nomination of candidates. will