The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-26
Plan Outlined, After Spirited Dis
cussiOn. for a Bill in the
Next Legislature.
CHAIRMAN HARRIS'S VIEWS
WRITTEN STATEMENT PRESENTED
TO THE COMMITTEE.
Names of the Officers Also Submitted d
by Him-Meeting Called for
Evening of April 3.

Optimism and pessismism matched views
on primary reform at the meeting of the
Commercial Club primary law committee
last night, and out of the spirited discus
sion was evolved the outline of plan the
ultimate object of which is to present to the
next General Assembly of Indiana a bill
that shall contain primary law practical
in nature and satisfactory to the people.
The meeting, called by Chairman Addi-
son C. Harris. was for the purpose Of
bringing together men of force with ideas
to express frankly the subject. To
them he presented in general form his own
view of what should be the purpose of the
movement. OF the twenty or thirty who
were present. including a number of party
leaders, eight ten had something TO say
either for or against the practicability of
primary laws in party politics
Speaking from the results OF their own
experience, the greater number of the
speakers declared faith in movement to
present TO the people law that shall re-
tain the best features of the Joss law and
shall make provision in addition for the
roofing out of the evils that are generally
acknowledged to be attendant upon party
primaries as now held. A few also. speak
ing from experience. took gloomy view of
the situation and declared. although re-
luctantly, that it seems impossible to OBJ
tain by any law lasting publication of the
ballot. All who spoke, however manifested
the utmost interest in the movement and
said they would devote themselves per-
sonally to the consummation of the purpose
of the committee.
MR. FORTUNES MOTION
The principal discussion of the meeting.
outside of statements of views on the alb
stract subject Of reform, centered around
a motion made by William Fortune and
amended by Merle n. A. Walker. Mr.. For
tunes motion, made to shape the unex-
pressed ideas of the members of
the committee. was as follows: THAT
we invite the cooperation of all
commercial, Industrial, civic, political
and other organizations interested in good
government throughout the State in under
taking TO bring about the enactment by
the Indiana General Assembly Of an ade-
quate primary election law providing for
a direct vote OF all qualified voters in NOM
nations OF candidates, surrounded with all
OF the legal safeguards attending final
elections"
Mr. Walker moved 20 amend the resoIu-
viding for a direct vote of all qualified
voters in nomina tions of candidates. sur
rounded with all of the legal safeguards
attending final elections. That phrase. he
said made the resolution too specific in its
nature. something that should not be AT
90 early period in the movement. Since
il is desired, he said, 10 obtain the active
cO-opera tions of all organizations. il would
be much better 20 make the resolution as
general as possible until a thorough study
of the kind OF law desired and an educa-
tional campaign had enabled the members
OF the committee 10 acquaint themselves
with all Of the facts 10 be gathered Then.
ne said, would be the time to outline in
detail the work 10 be carried forward II
would be best at this time. he thought. to
ask assistance simply in bringing about the
enactment OF an adequate primary election
law. The result of the somewhat lengthy
discussion that followed was the adoption
of Mr.. Walkers amendment.
Another motion made by Mr. Fortuna
was argued with warmth and finally passed
With some changes He moved that a state
meeting be called under the auspices az the
Commercial Club committee. at which ths
subject could be discussed thoroughly, the