The record-union., 1896-01-17
SUPERVISORS AND THE PRIMARIES.
Lawyer Gett Asks the Supreme Court
for Writ of Mandate.
He Wants the Supervisors to Name
Primary Election Officers, But
They Have Refused.

A week ago the Record Union" pub
lished the petition filed by Lawyer w
A. Gett asking the Supervisors to select
officers for primary elections under the
new law, which provides for the hold
ing of all party primaries on the same
day, the officers to be named by the Su-
pervisors.
The board refused to grant the petit
ton, by advice of District Attorney
Ryan, who gave it as his opinion that
the law was unconstitutional, or at best
that it did not apply to this county.
On Wednesday Major Gett applied di-
rect to the Supreme Court in Sen Fran
cisco for a writ of mandate requiring
the Supervisors to act in the matter,
the object being to have the question of
the validity of the law determined.
Major Gett was represented in the case
by D. f. Alexander, while District
Attorney Ryan appeared as coun-
sci for the Supervisors. By agree
ment of counsel on both sides the
case has been set down for hearing be-
fore the Supreme Court in bank next
Monday.
The basis of Gett's suit is the pro-
vision of the primary law which re-
QhAA liAC bOupElNISOlS Jul Tie
month of January to prepare slips bear
ing the names of thirty citizens in
each election precinct. In the selection
of these names each political party is
to be accorded, as far as possible, equal
representation. The slips containing
the names are required to be sealed in
envelopes until a definite time before
primary election when from each en-
velope is to be drawn a sufficient num-
ber of names to cons itute the primary
election board for that precinct
The petitioner further shows that two
primary elections are now in prospect
One is to be held on the second Tues
day in March for the election of dele
gates to the National Convention and
another on the second Tuesday in July
for the election of delegates to a con-
vention for the nomination of Congress
sional, legislative and municipal can
didates.
The petitioner AYERS that no political
convention can be held except pursuant
to the provisions of the new primary
law. He shows that on the 7th inst
he requested the Sacramento Super
visors to prepare the slips containing
thirty names for each precinct of the
county. The Supervisors refused to
grant the request, and hence the pres
ent application.
The question involved, says Gett is
one of the greatest public interest and
Importance. He explains that the pc
tition was filed in the Supreme Court
in order to avoid the delay which would
necessarily attend an appeal taken by
either party from a decision of the
Superior Court The petition further
shows that the Boards of Supervisors
throughout the State are in doubt as
to their duty and desirous of instruc-
ton. Moreover, it is urged upon the
Supreme Court that a decision must be
handed down before the close of the
present month in order that the Super
visors may have time to act in accord
ance with a decision upholding the law.
In view of this request the Supreme
Court may be expected to render its
decision at the earliest date possible.
This decision will be awaited with gen
0Tal interest