Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1903-08-26
Biennial Elections,

The Sioux City Journal suggested
the other day that now would be a
good time to discuss the question of a
constitutional amendment for biennial
elections in this state. 1t will be
recalled that the people Of Iowa
voted for change from annual to
biennial elections when the Titus
amendment was before them in 1900,
but the courts decided that the amend
ment was not legally submitted. In
all probability like amendment will
be submitted by the coming legisla-
ture. Some of the papers are assum-
ing that there has been no change of
opinion since that time and that the
second amendment will be adopted by
an increased majority. Such an out.
come is not improbable, but that does
not argue against thoughtful consid-
Grafton of the subject and possible
reversion of the verdict of three years
ago.
When the matter was up for consid-
Grafton before very little attention
was given it from the standpoint of
it's merits. There was small interest
in it one way or the other and it was
submitted by the legislature and en-
dorsed by the people without much
thought OF consequences. Its import
ance was not generally recognized
and those who entertained doubts as
to the expediency of the proposed
change were content for the most part
to let the matter 60 by default.
There was more interest and anxiety,
it will be recalled. to have the SUI
preme court declare against it and
thus get rid of the complications it
entailed than there was as regards
either its adoption or rejection in the
legislature or at the polls. Now as
then Phe Gate City seriously doubts
the wisdom of making any change.
The present method of electing state
officers-electing the governor and
lieutenant governor in one year and
all the other executive officers in the
intervening year-was incorporated
in the constitution deliberately and
with well-defined purpose which
seems to have been the avoi~ance of a
State House ring by all whose terms
of Office would expire at the same
time and who would, therefore, have
a m in
state convention. More than half
century of experience with the consti-
tuition has shown its wisdom. for in
all that time there has never been a
formidable combination among our
state officers. The situation that has
prevailed in Iowa can be contrasted
very favorably with that in neighbor-
ing states where they have the plan
it is proposed to inaugurate here, az
witness most notably the state of H.
linois It is wise to ''prove all
things" and "hold fast to that which
is good A constitution which has
worked we'll for over fifty years and
OH the whole has promoted and pro-
tected the public interest ought not
to be lightly changed.
The argument of the Inconvenience
and expense OF annual elections is
more than offset by the educational
influences OF the present system and
the fact that the annual elections
keeps the voters interested and fully
up to date. The situation in this
respect is much better in Iowa than
elsewhere. Possibly that is due to
the high average intelligence of our
people, but it is not unreasonable TO
believe that the recurring campaigns
are a factor in the case. -Keokuk Gate
City