Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/115

 run for office under the old system. No one has to ask for that privilege now. Bagehot, in his "History of the British Constitution," somewhere says that the best government is that in which there is a limited number of real aggressive leaders and a great many who are willing to be led. He points to England as a country of this type. The writer does not agree with that philosophy, but nevertheless he must admit that because of the new primary law, there is sometimes so much individualism in the Wisconsin legislature that it is difficult to promote business rapidly. There have been occasions when to some extent a lack of unison was evident. Business is not despatched as smoothly as formerly because you have to "show" every man. Each individual member wants to know about it and talk it over and he is unwilling to accept such leadership as was prevalent under the old system. The boss is not welcome now. There is more debate and more discussion but the writer considers this an exceedingly healthy symptom, for the results indicate more real intelligence in legislation.

Although the law is long and involved, it can be summarized in a very few words; the peculiar features of it require a longer description.

The most noteworthy feature of the primary election law is that it is an absolutely direct election, compulsory and state wide. It was intended to abolish the caucus