Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-01-31
MERTON'S PRIMARY BILL.

Min YIN . URINARY BILL.
The Democratic primary election
bill was presented in the Senate Mon
day night. Much interest has been
manifested in the bill and its appear
ance was hailed with Satisfactorily
the administration forces.
Senator Merton has combined in his
measure nearly all OF the features of
the Andrew and Frear bills. Many of
its provisions are identical with the
administration measures, some of its
sections following the Assembly bills
to the letter.
The distinctive features of the Demo
cratic measure is the provision for the
nomination of United States senators.
Another feature is the manner in which
the platforms are to be made up, pro-
vision being made for the election of
delegates to conventions which shall
adopt party platforms and elect state
central committee. Another feature Of
the BILLS that it permits nnminations
by petitions in the same manner as at
present.
The bill provides that all candidates
to be voted for are to be nominated at
d primary election held on the first
Tuesday in September, 1901, and BIZ
enniaHy thereafter except those for
village, town and school district offic-
ers. Special elections and judicial
elections and judicial elections are ex-
empted. Sixty days prior to the hold
ing OF the primaries the secretary of
state is to give notice designating the
Offices which candidates are to be nom
mated for The same provisions are
made as in the Assembly bills for the
circulation of domination papers and
all nomination papers must also bear
an afhdavlt setting forth the genuine
ness OF the signatures. Twenty days
before the primary q list of the aomi-
nations must be fled with the secre-
tafy of state, who is to send to the
county clerk a list for publication.
Nominations may be made by petition.
signed by 5 per cent. of the voters
and such nominations shall be placed
upon the primary election ticket the
same as the other nominations.
The provision for the ballot is the
same as that in the Frear bill, except
ing that the size of the ballots are not
limited. They are to be made up in
punches, the ballot to be voted being
deposited in one box and the discarded
ballots being placed in a separate re-
ceptacle.s
81. AT the election preceding the elec-
lion OF a United States senator provis-
ion is made for the nomination, of per-
sous to be voted for by the members Of
the Legislature for that position. The
secretary OF state must send to the
Legislature on the first day of the ses-
sion statement showing the number
of votes cast.
In the election of delegates to the
convention that is to map out the par
ty platform one delegate is allowed for
every fifty voters. The delegates are
to meet on the Thursday preceding the
primary election at the county seats
there to select delegates to represent
them in the state convention. There
shall be one delegate for every 25O,
ballots. They are to meet at time
and place designated by the state cen
trail committee. They are also to elect
the state central committee, allowing
one member from each congressional
district, instead of two as at present.
Any officer or member of any of the
political committees, who shall fail to