Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/114

 have a multiplicity of elective state officers there may be further justification for the above criticism. The remedy may be in the short ballot principle. In the opinion of the writer, the offices of secretary of state, state treasurer and attorney-general should be appointive. The position of insurance commissioner was made appointive in Wisconsin in 1911. There is no question but that the primary election law should have been followed at once by a corrupt practices act limiting in some way the amount of money to be spent, but it was impossible to enact such a law at the time the primary law was passed. The primary has sometimes proven too costly because of this grave omission, but the fault lies not with the friends of the primary as they soon saw its defects and session after session tried to remedy them.

It is evident that the Wisconsin legislature is, on the whole, improving from year to year. There are not as many brilliant leaders as formerly but neither are there as many stupid or corrupt men. The primary seems to elect a middle class average man of independence and intelligence. The old system tended to elect either brilliant, well-known men or those who were merely pawns in the game. Under the primary, individuals announce their intention of becoming candidates and fearlessly run for office. Legislators have often admitted to the writer that they would not attempt to