Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/122

"By this result, which is the present system of the highest candidate being the nominee, the stand-pat republican would become the nominee of the 7000 voters absolutely opposed to the policy advocated by him. Could anything be more absurd than this?

"Now let us use this same case and apply the second choice rule by which the lowest candidate is 'eliminated' and not all but the highest 'eliminated' which is the present primary law.

"The first count of first choice votes would be as above given.

"Each voter having expressed a second choice, and D, one of the tariff reform candidates, being the low man, he would be out of the race, so the voters who voted for him for first choice would be entitled to have their second choice votes counted. Now, would they not be sure to be divided between the two other tariff reform candidates—men who represented their views on party policy? Suppose they had divided, 1500 of these having been cast for B as their second choice, and 500 for C. The final result would be:—

A — Stand-pat candidate ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3000

B — Tariff reform candidate ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4000

C — Tariff reform candidate ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3000

"B would accordingly be the candidate representing the views of 7000 voters, instead of A representing the tariff policy of only 3000 voters."

Mr. Lush holds that a primary law without a second choice simply fosters the power of the boss. He says:

"This boss, be his leadership for good or for evil, has the power to place candidates early in the field, and then warn other men not to become candidates on the unassailable ground that a number of candidates of the majority faction might split the vote and allow