Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-16
ANNUAL OR BIENNIAL ELEc1loNs.-wulcH7

| There are indications that the bien-
NAL election question will be one of the
stirring topics of debate in the legtsla-
ture. 1t is understood that Senator
| Harper. of Ottulnwa, will renew the
proposition for an amendment to effect
| the purpose defeated by technical err
ror In the last effort. AS the people ex-
pressed themselves in favor of a change
| from annual to biennial elections when
| the question was, submitted. and as 1t
was not thrown aside by any decision
rendered by thern, it would seem that
they are still in favor of it, or entitled
to another vote on the subject, and that
the general assembly has little option
in the matter beyond submitting the
question anew. Newspaper opposition Is
already manifest, however, or at least 1t
is engaged in pointing out the unfavor-
able features of "A possible change. The
Dubuque Times declares the polite
clans generally are supposed to be in
favor of the biennial plan because, with
all the offices to lie filed instead of half,
campaign expenses would be lighter
and it would be am easier matter to get
out the vote" Per contra, 1t could be
urged with faire- reason that politicians
are opposed to it because 1t cuts OF
their opportunity half the time to feed
upon their favorite mental meat and
to catch the annual opportunity, to
stand for some office. No. the politi-
clans prefer constant rather than In
constant political pabulum. The Times
presents a better reason in the state
be in the interest of good government
because they give the minority oppor-
tunity to challenge the majoritys
course in matters that are still fresh in
the public mind, but might be forgot
ten IL the election were delayed for
year" On the other hand, many things
that ought to be forgotten will have
longer time to tie banished into obliv-
ion. Political passion will have more
time to cool, feIds Will vanish, parti-
sanship will tend to disappear. and the
political temper of the people vii! have
had time to resume more normal at
mosphere In proof of this 1t might be
cited that our gubernatorial contest oc-
hi ciu tho
pie opportunity for maturer refiec-
ton.
presses opposition on the broad ground
that annual elections are the best edu-
Gators of the people, because they make
the people familiar with the laws of the
state and the conditions of their gov
eminent Even with the annual cleo
tions a large proportion OF the citizens
of the state have not yet become suffi-
GENTLY familiar with the Australian
ballot to enable them to cast an intelli-
gent vote. or even a vote that can be
counted. A still larger number lack the
knowledge OF governmental affairs that
and In the interest of the tax payer
and the best possible government
This is the best reason that has been
adduced. The Register says further,
that agitation Is the great educator
of the masses, and it has been the agi-s
tation of the annual elections that has
given the majority of the voters of Iowa
such thorough knowledge OF the best
and safest methods of government" 1t
is certain that sill good citizens are in
favor of educating the masses. 1t Is APP
parent, however, that If some citizens
do not learn with annual elections there
is little hope OF ever instructing them.
BY the reasoning adopted, it would be
better to have elections every six
months.
In considering the other side. one
may we'll seek the real reason for
desire for a change. AS the T.-R. looks
at it, 1t comes from the character of
the annual political agitation. There is
SO much of the 4unscrupulous, unfair
and untruthful injected into every
campaign that politics" instead of be-
ing a favored word, has become de-
tested expression in many circles. The
people grow sick OF It, The Register it
self expresses this contemptuous opin-
ion in referring to the opportunities of
politicians" and 1.-The mere politicians
favor biennial elections" and that 1.-The
voters should consider the matter
themselves without regard to the the
cries of mere politicians" etc. If edu-
cation is needed at al it is in the direc-
ton of teaching the press and the peo-
pie less of bitter and unfair partisan
ship and more of the science of good
government. And further, in consider
ing the subject the people should be
classed as a whole, not as politicians
and 1.-THE people" They are or should
be all politicians In the best sense of the
word
Other claims urged in favor of bien-
NAL elections are made on the basis that
nearly one-half, and that all the states