St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-22
THE CAIRNS LAW
Meets with Opposition From Ru-
raj Representatives.

Meets with Opposition From Ru-
raj Representatives.
In committee of the whole, Mr.. Will
son, of Hennepin, in the chair, the first
and only measure taken up was FL. F.
IS, Mr.. CAIRNS primary election law.
The opening shot was fired by Mr.. Hol-
man in proposing an amendment that
the bill apply only to incorporated
cities and to large conventions.
Mr.. Cairns favored the amendment,
and maintained there Is necessity for
the bill.
Mr.. Fleming did not want it to apply to
cities like Brainerd. He asserted there
was no necessity for such law in any
except the large cities of the state. Mr..
Greer at some length, and Mr.. Lime
mann briefly, supported this view of the
case, and Mr.. McGrath was emphatic in
the declaration that it would be bur-
den and hardship to the small cities
in his section Of the state il forced on
them.
Mr.. Fleming offered an amendment to
the amendment that the bill shall apply
to cities of over $4,000 inhabitants.
Messrs. Walsh, Wyman and Howard
took the ground that if the law was
good for the large cities, it was almost
equally good for the small cities. They
were willing that the bill should be
amended, however, to suit the objec-
tons raised, and they voiced the hope
that it would be.
Mr.. Fleming asserted there was no
use for argument unless the bill was
amended to exempt towns, villages and
small cities. The members from such
places knew what they wanted and they
would have nothing else.
Mr.. Winston thought all sections of
the state should be included, from the
largest city to the smallest town or viii
lage. He cited railroad centerS as ex-
ampleS of the necessity for such law.
could be carried in any way and for
any party desired.
Mr.. Turrell made an earnest argu-
ment for the bill, taking the ground
that the bill should apply to all incorpo-
rated cities of the state. 1t was as badly
needed in many small places as in the
large cities.
Mr.. Cole and Mr.. Dunn could not ia
vor the bill unless 1t was made to apply
only to st. Paul, Minneapolis and Du-
luth.
MIR. Underleak considered the bill a
good one aIfd could see no objection to
applying it to all cities, but he doubted
if the people of small places were pre-
pared for it.
Mr.. Moore expressed opposition to the
bill. The farming communities should
be exempt from its provisions.
Mr.. Fletcher thought the bill would
have the effect of making better citizens
and insuring good, fair primaries.
Mr.. Fleming gained consent to change
his amendment, so that the bill should
apply only to cities of 10000 or over.
Mr.. Howard said if the amendment of
Mr.. Fleming prevailed 1t would proba-
bly, work to invalidate the law.
Mr.. Furlong supported the Fleming
amendment. The law should not be
forced on the rural communities.
The amendment of MIR. Fleming was
adopted, and the debate started anew
OIL the question of adopting the section
as amended. The outcome was that al
6 O'Clock the section was adopted, and
the committee decided to report prog
ress on the balance of the bill. The
committee then rose and the report was
adopted, after which the house ad.
| journed to 10 a. m. today.