Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-12

Iowa during the past two years respect
Ing u primary election law and l be
lieve that public opinion has gradual
ripened so that there is now Il grea
preponderance of sentiment in favo
OF some regulation that will insur
lcommon decency and fairness in tn
nomination of candidates for office
There is practically no fraud. dishon
estN. or even unfairness. in the conduc
/ of general elections, but the name
in which eaucuses. party primarie!
and other proceedings leading up 4
| nominations are held, and the prac
| tees which attend them in many paris
of the state, have become intoierab,s
with clean. fair minded people.
Corruption in this important stag.
of government poisons free institutions
| at their fountain head. and there Is
nothing that can be done for the Pa
moval of this blot upon our affairs tor
| difficult or too expensive to be under
taken. need not recount the evidences
of my statement. They are all around
you, and are we'll known to every man
who gives the most casual attention
10 what is gong on
commend this subject to your care
full consideration. and earnestly recon-
mend the passage of a law which will
surround the selection of candidates
with the same safeguards against in
trigue. dishonesty and unfairness. that
already exist with regard to the cleo
ton of candidates to office.
While 1 recognize that there We're
wide differences of opinion concerning
the scope as we'll as the detail of such
a law. | venture to express the opinion
that it should have the following fea-
lures:
First-It should include all NUM-
cipal, county. state and congressional
offices filled by the voters.
Second-The primary election for
all political parties should be held at
the same place and time.
Third-It should include system OF
registration. where registration is now
required at general elections. and
where registration is not required az
general elections it should include an
adequate plan for Identifying the vot-
ers.
Fourth-It should provide severe
penalties for fraud, intimidation and
bribery.
The greatest objection which 4
have found in studying the measure
adopted by other states and thewkw
ject generally has been In that the COM
plete primary election system, plural-
ity. instead of majority, will nomi-
nate / regard this as Il weakness be-
cause it prevents in some instances the
execise of a second choice which is
OF great value.
1t seems to me therefore that the
delegate convention ought to be pre-
served and THAI, the law should arrange
for the selection of delegates. II any
whether for a city. county,
state or congressional Office, receives
a majority of the votes cast in the ter
gates chosen would have no other duty
but to record the decision of the voters.
Ii however. no candidate receives a
majority of votes cast by his party,
then the ceaG.s2I chosen with the
instruction given them by the vote
should work out In the convention their
second choice
The suggestions are intended as a |
mere outline OF the views have form
ed in looking into the matter, and I !
lay them before you, not So much as n |
for my particular law,
IS a way of indicating to you my con-
viction that some adequate legislation |
IS necessary.
Oil Inspectors.
/ concur in the Recommendation OF
he state in the following effect:
All supplies furnished to the oil in
spectors should be bought and furnish
I'd by the executive council.
Dealers in oils. when given notice
o the inspectors of the arrival of OIL.
should inform the secretary of state of
he quantity to be inspected.
The fees for inspection should be
by the inspectors either to
he secretary of state or the treas
lrer of state and their compensation
md expenses should be approved by
he executive council, and paid by war
ants drawn by the auditor
l shall have something to say upon
he principles Involved in the latter re-
concentration later on.
Tho Capitol Commission.
The capitol commission has submit
ed TO me "A report which is now laid
efore you, showing with great pre-
ision what II has done and the reas-
ms which have Influenced it In adopt
ng Its plans and making its expendi-
ures. and in creating the obligations
,hich II shows.
have kept closely In touch with the
commission and while 1t may add noth-
ng to your confidence in the discre- :
ion of the eminent gentlemen who i
ompose the body, it gives me pleasure Z
, say that have heartily approved of
II that has been done
1t is not surprising that when the
came to critically examine
building which has stood without :
ibstantial repairs since its founda-
on was laid thirty years ago. 1t found :
lany things to be done which had es- =
aped the observation of the prelimi-
airy commission, an dthat it discov- ,
red that the cost of the work was
rgely in excess of the estimate
1t was with the advice of the exc
ltlve council that the location of the
arehouse just north of the capitol and :
lie character of Its construction. were
Atermined The commission acted
isely. in my opinion. when II combin-
the work relating to heating, ven
lation. electrical equipment and ele-
,fOrS involving an utilization in ax. L