Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/117

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ELECTORAL AND GOVERNMENTAL CHANGES
93

very practical, although it may be applied to all cities. The exemption of judges and educational officers is characteristic of the Wisconsin non-partisan spirit.

Finally, delegates to the national convention are elected by the primary and provision is made for a statement of presidential preference.

The act also contains a provision for second choice which it is hoped will tend to produce a majority or at least something approximating a majority. This law was passed in 1911 after a hard struggle which started the moment the first bill was introduced. Its peculiar features and the philosophy behind it, need some extended discussion, as its great importance has not been fully appreciated throughout the country.

The second choice law (chapter 200, laws of 1911) is a modification of the system used in Queensland as far back as 1887.

No better argument in favor of this innovation can be given than that used by Mr. Charles K. Lush, a brilliant newspaper man and author, who has given permission to use excerpts from his pamphlet "An essential amendment to the primary law." As this pamphlet is now out of print and the discussion is so exceedingly valuable many extracts from it have been used. It must be remembered in reading it that it was written before the second choice law was passed. However, it is an explanation of what was actually later enacted into law.