Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-27
AMEND PRIMARY BILL
Advocates of the Measure Place
Themselves in Strong Posi-
tion in Senate
PUT DEMOCRATS ON RECORD
An Amendment Which 1t is Believed
Strengthens the Bill Somewhat, is
Offered by the Democrats and Ac-
cepted by the Cummns Men-lnter-
estinq Debate on tho Measure.
[By Ora williams.l
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times RepuDllcan.
Des Moines, Feb. 27.-The prelimin-
airy presentation of the matter of the
primary election bill has been made N
the senate, and the superficial indica-
tons are that the bill is going to be
ago. The only thing which happened
on the first day of discussion was the
adoption of an amendment which, to
some extent, forestalls democratic OPP
position to the bill, and makes it GER
tain that the bill will pass the SEN
ate.
The bill came up on special order.
The amendment which was adopted
was offered by Senator Lyons of How
ard, a democrat. 1t is in effect that
where no candidates have been voted
for and no nomination made, county
or district convention may complete
the ticket. Opponents of the bill sug-
gested that this would leave it purely
an optional bill, and that political
committee might decide to nullify the
law by not participating and thus re-
turn to tne convention system despite
the law. But, in fact, the amendment
contemplates nothing of the kind, for
except in rare cases there will always
be candidates and they can get on the
ticket despite the determination of 4
hostile committee. The amendment
y,1a ST
very small votes and always affect on
ly the minority party. This amend
ment, therefore. removes most of the
objection of the democrats to the bill.
This amendment was carried by a
vote of 90 to 16, the negative votes
being by Brooks, COPYRIGHT. Crawford
Dunham Elerick, Gilliland, Harper,
Hasselquist, Hogue. Hartshorn, Jaml-
son, Jones, Spaulding. Stookey, Stuck
slayer, and Whipple. There was absent
three senators-Gale, Kline, Newberry
and one did not vote-Saunders. Ev-
cry democrat voted for the measure.
Two who are opposed to the bill voted
for the mendment-BlealSley and
Jackson. All the friends of the bilt
voted for it.
The situation therefore leaves it
certain that if five of the democrats
vote for the bill it will carry. There
are four who have signified their IN
tention of voting for it. The amend
ment adopted yesterday may gain for
the bill the vote of all the democrats.
At any rate they will not now bitterly
fight the bill. Its chances of being
passed were greatly improved with
Yesterdays change.
Senator Saunders offered his sub
stitute for the BILL which is an option
al primary bill, having many excellent
features. but open to many objections
In long address, which he did not
finish, he supported his position ably
He contended that the feature of the
bill which is most Objectionable is that
of minority nominations. He insisted
that only majority nominations should
be made, that it was dangerous to per-
nit minority nominations, etc. He re-
ferred to the primaries in Polk county
as a horrible example, despite that in
Polk county when the corruption was
so much developed there were no PEN
alties to fraudulent voting.
Senator Crossley's presentation of
the general feature of the bill was an
especially fine address. He spoke with
much feeling and earnestness, but en-
tirely without display of rancor and
in the very best temper all thru. He
urged the bill on high grounds. 1t was
a measure to promote purity in the
public service 1t was a getting back
TO the people. Much had been said
about the people not to be trusted.
Some persons appear to feel that the
voters cannot be trusted to make
choice and that the matter OF selecting
candidates must be left to few who
are alleged to be more Intelligent than
their fellows. He believed the peo-
pie of Iowa are sufficiently Intelligent
to make a decision as between candi-
dates There was opposition to the
adoption of the secret ballot in Iowa;
hut now no one would think of going
back to the old system. The people
have been wisely trusted. Under the
primary system a candidate would not
be under obligations to anyone. The
author of the bill said that he regret
ted more than anyone could tell that
the conditions under which this legis-
lat,,re comes to consideration of the
hill are such as to make it difficult for
If TO receive calm consideration. He
had prepared it not as partisan
mea sure: his conscience was clear; it
was a bill prepared for the best inter
ests of the people, for the interests of
the voters and of the homes of Iowa;
a bin which he believed would reflect
credit upon the great commonwealth
they are supposed to represent. He
urged that the senators consider the
bill on its. merits and not permit party
or factional matters to interfere.
Today Senator saunder resumed his
speech. and his substitute appeared in
the journal ready for action. 1t is ex-
pected that Senator Lewis will speak
for the bill. while Gilliland will lead
in opposition.