The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-04-06
subject 1 shall be glad to render
you any assistance in my power.
Sincerely yours,

you any assistance In my power.
Sincerely yours,
WILLIAM s. U,REN.
CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT. The
corrupt practices act Official Ballot
304 is an essential complement to
the direct primary law. The direct
primary law Is incomplete without it.
This was demonstrated by the nomi-
nation of Stephenson, and the people
Of Wisconsin at once overhauled and
made effective their corrupt practices
act Two years after the enactment
of the direct primary law in Oregon
a corrupt practices act was secured
through the initiative. Colorado is to
vote in November on a corrupt prac-
tees act initiated by the people. Be-
cause money gets into conventions
and legislatures and thwarts the pub
lie will, the people are adopting mod
ern election machinery, and it is
worthy of note that in every state
where the direct primary has been
adopted, stringent corrupt practices
act has been passed. The corrupt
practices act is the logical develop
ment Of the direct primary system
just as the primary system was the
logical development of the Australian
ballot system.
THE OTHER BILLS. The bills re-
lating to the expression of the popu-
lar choice for United States senator
and president of the United States are
part of the system that has been
already adopted by many of the states
and are generally understood.
Respectfully submitted to the voters
of Montana by the Peoples Power
League of Montana"
Each and all of the four measures
so initiated were passed by the peo-
pie of Montana at the general election
of November 1912. The measure pro-
viding for party nominations by direct
vote of the people was initiated by an
overwhelming vote of almost 4 to l
and thus was placed in the law of
the state of Montana a new plan or
method Of nominating party candi-
dates for public office. The law as
originally initiated contains 80 sep
didloiy NUMBERED SoCI1OnS.
1t will be observed that in the
printed pamphlet furnished to every
registered voter in the state prior to
the November 1912 election the pro-
ponents of the above mentioned meas
ures in their opening sentence stated:
The purpose of the direct primary
law is to place the nomination of all
candidates for public office directly
in the hands of the voters, thereby
eliminating the complicated caucus
and convention system"
The eliminating" of the caucus and
convention system was and is pro-
vided or in section Of the initiated
measure which provides: Every po-
litical party shall nominate all its
candidates for public office under the
provisions of this law, and not In any
other manner; and it shall not be
allowed to nominate any candidates
In the manner provided by section
52l, of the R. c.. M 1907"
The above language is simple. 1t
is clear. 1t admits of no doubt or
1t positively prohibits
any political party in this state from
nominating any party candidate for
any public office in this state by the
party caucus, the party convention or
by the party primary meeting there
-ofore used and employed by the DO
ltlcal parties in this state. 1t ex-
pressly eliminated the nomination of
party candidates by any political party
n any other means or manner than
8 provided under the provisions of
he direct primary law. 1t expressly
said political party shall not be
allowed to nominate any candidate in
he manner provided by section sci of
he R. C. M. 1907"
By this plain mandate the people of
he state of Montana said that hence
orth the political parties of this state
must use the new machinery, the new
llrect primary method, this Plan III.
or the nomination of all candidates
unning as party candidates or bear
ng the party label and that hence
orth no political party shall be al
owed to use the Plan l method of
any party candidate.
In 1927 the legislature, by the en-
ctment of Chapter of the session
avs of 1927, amended the first SEN
ence of section of the original mi
ative measure to read: Every polit-
,al party which has cast three per
entum (3%) or more Of the total
ote cast for representative in Con-
ress at the next preceding general
lection in the county, district or state
be made, shall nominate it's can
idates for public office in such coun-
7, district or state, under the pro-
lsions of this law, and not in any
Their manner; and it shall not be
lowed to nominate any candidate
the manner provided by section
Il of this Code"
BY the above amendment the legis-
ture sought to limit the application
section of the original measure,
NV section 500, R. G. to the two
ajor parties and thus under present
al parties which cast less than three
sr centum of the total votes cast
r representative in congress at the
neral election of November 1914 to
by the party caucus, or par
convention or party primary meet
6 (Plan y method but the amend
ent in no manner relieved the two
ajor political parties from the ex-
ess prohibitions enacted in section
of the original initiative measure.
In case of the death of a party's