Audubon Republican., 1904-10-27
Hon. A. n. Edwards Against
The Biennial.

The Biennial.
The proposed amendment to the
constitution of Iowa providing for BIZ
ennial elections should receive careful
consideration at the hands of the vot-
ers this fall and be voted against.
There are but two arguments advanc-
ed in its favor; one that the cost of
elections will be less to the state and
counties, the other that the attention of
the people will be directed toward DO
litical matters less frequently than at
present. Granting both the above
propositions, the question arises: Is
the saving OF expense and the avoid
ance of political excitement sufficient
compensation for the loss of the educa-
tional features of the annual cam
paign. The election campaign is the
political school of the voter. Few
save politicians, or those who consid-
er themselves as such, give much at
tentlon to political matters except
during the political campaign. The
average voter of Iowa Is man OF af-
fairs whose time Is largely taken up
with matters OF personal interest to
himself and except when his attention
Is especially directed thereto, takes
little time to thoroughly investigate
questions not pertaining to his usual
business.
This, | think, is characteristic of all
of us, and as national and party con-
ditions are constantly changing, is il
advisable to deprive the voter of part
of his opportunities of keeping in
formed on the existing political condi-
tions?
1t Is sometimes difficult for polit-
ical combination to successfully work
their schemes when the people are in
terested and alert. But when the mass
of voters think there is "nothing do
ing," the wires are strung and when
too late they find themselves helpless.
Knowledge of governmental affairs and
party principles are conducive to the
highest type of citizenship and is most
readily obtained in political cam
paigns. The saving that will be made
by the biennial system will not COM
pensate for the loss Of the educational
features of the annual elections. The
proposed amendment takes from the
people temporarily the right to elect
their own officers. IL half or even
more than half the counties in the
state each give majority against it
and the vote in favor of il in the other
counties is sufficient to overcome their
negative vote, the officers elected in
1908 for two years in the counties vot-
ing against the amendment will have
their terms extended one year, being
virtually elected by nonresident vot-
ers. This is equivalent to one term in
the house, a half term in the senate
for 20 senator's and several local Off
GERS in each county. This would have
been avoided had the amendment TAX
en- effect subsequent to the election of
1908. Then II adopted we would have
elected officers for the extended term.
So far as | know no reason has been
given for this attempt to keep men in
Office by legislation. 1t certainly Is
an inducement for each officer inter
ested and his friends to support the
measure. 1t also appears to be in
conflict with the spirit of the consttu-
tion which prohibits members of the
Legislature from accepting during the
term for which they were elected any
Office of profit which was created or
the emoluments of which were in
creased during such term, except such
affairs as may be filled by the election
OF the people TART. 3, sec. 2l). True
no Office Is created, nor are the emOlu-
ments increased except by extending
the term, giving the representatives
the pay of full term and to 90 sena-
tors that of half term with no ex-
pense OF time or money for cam
paign. Admit that the officers for
short term are submitted to vote of
the people, IL cannot be said truthful
ly that the offices are filled by the cleo
tion by the people, for the nomina-
tions are made by the legislative ac-
tion and we have no choice as to can
didates. Its mustard and bacon or
no dinner" The last Legislature de-
serves some consideration. Several
members of each house explained their
votes by saying they voted for it be-
cause their constituents had approved
1t when submitted to the people in
1900. Sixteen Representatives and
twelve senator's also voted for it whose
districts each gave majority against
II at the same election and it would
be worthy of note that none of those
whose constituents had by their vote in
structed against the amendment gave
any reason for their vote in its favor.
Some not, however, members Of either
house suggest that the gentlemen
above referred to thought their con-
stituents had changed their opinions
regarding the matter during the three
years since the election of 1900. 1t is
difficult to see any reason for such as
sumption as appearances for the past
four years have indicated that OppO-
sition to Reconsideration was rapid
ly increasing. 1t certainly has in this
nfu nd
will be defeated in the state, but active
influential men should, in each town
ship, endeavor to secure as large a
vote as possible against it. If the en-
thusiasts favoring biennial elections
wish an expression of the people on
the question let them submit it without
"riders" that offer inducements for
favorable votes that infringe on the
rights of self government and that are
of doubtful constitutionality.
II E'nW ARnG