The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-11-03
BIENNIAL ELECTIONS.
Reasons Why Proposed Amendment
Should be Beaten.


past few days the discussion of the
biennial elections amendment has
been participated in by a large num-
Der of the leading papers of the state,
and while, up to this time, but little
interest has been manifested on the
subject, opinion appears to be crys-
TALKING in regard to it.
Many conservative politicians who
have been watching the trend Of the
papers, say that from present indica-
lions, it seems probable that the
amendment will be beaten. The reas-
ons assigned are that the people have
been considering the question, and
have come to the conclusion that the
saving in expense of biennial cleo
lions over the present system would
mot be sufficient to counterbalance the
objections which al be urged against
any change.
The principal objections are as fol-
lows: Biennial elections would make
it necessary for all county officers to
be elected at the same time,lence the
terms of all such officers would expire
at the same time, and the new officers
might be entirely inexperienced which
might lead to complications that
would not be desirable. The possibil.
ity of inexperienced county treasur-
ers, auditors and recorders going into
Office at the same time is urged as be-
ing something that should be guarded
against The fact that members of
! the boards of supervisors are elected
in order, so that in no case may the
board be constituted of entirely new
members, is cited as a wise precau-
ton, and n that should be followed,
as is the case now, by the election Of
treasurers and auditors at alternate
elections. As the law is now, these
two offices do not expire at the same
time and the officer who holds over
can give the new officer many import,
ant pointers so that the business OF
his Office may run smoothly and with.
out any complications.
Gov. Cummins has stated that, per.
sonally, he is opposed to the amend,
lSl allu "oulu DC DICdSCu W bCC II
defeated. Mr. J.. w. Blythe, who is
considered the leader of the stand
patters," has also gone on record rs
opposed to the amendment, and a ma
jority of the most influential papers
of the state are speaking against it
in their editorial columns. Secretary
Shaw, of the United States Treasury,
in his speeches made in this state
during the present campaign, opposes
the proposed change on the ground
that it is not good policy to abridge
the rights of the people to be heard
often in the selection of their official
servants. He also says that those
states which have annual electors
and who thus give the people oppor,
tunity to express their wishes FIRE,
quently are the states which nave the
greatest influence in national affairs.
Another argument which is being
used against the amendment with con,
siderable effect, is that under the
present method, state issues may be
discussed and determined without the
influence of national questions. The
nomination and election of governor
is not effected by the election of pres,
ident or members Of congress. At
tention is called to the present condi
tions in Wisconsin and Minnesota
where f~actional fights among the re
publicans may endanger the success
of the republican national ticket be
cause there was no opportunity af
forded the voters in those states t.
fight out and settle their differences
last year and thus be able to present
an united front to the enemy in tn4
present campaign.