The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-17
.RATHBUN ENTERS
POLITICAL ARENA
MARION EDITOR LATEST CANDI
DATE FOR IOWA GOVERNOR.
Cummins Summons Forces in Seventh
District to Consider Primary Elec-
tion Bill as Campaign Issue-Opposi-
ton Develops to Measure, the Claim
Being Advanced that Change Is Not
Necessary.
Special to The Journal.

Specla1 60 LIE JourHal. - .
:. Des Moines Iowa.. jan 1.-THE announcement
of Major S. w Rathbun of Marion, editor Of
the Marion Register as a candidate for gov
ernor, complexities the Iowa situation SO far as
the standDatters are concerned. Major Rathbun
Is staunch old machine man In the fifth dis
trict, where machine methods are not yet out
of date. It'll expected that his public state
ment will soon call forth an announcement from.
George D. Perkins Of Sioux City.
While the standpatters have brought out two
candidates, Rathbun and Herriott within week,
and Carroll is announced as compromise cam
didate, there is still no activity in the Cum
minis camp. The presence of several Madison
county men here gave rise to the report that
Cummins had called in the seventh district
clans, but it was learned that these men were
here to consider the primary election bill as
campaign issue and not to talk Of candidates.
1t has been practically decided that Governor
Cummins will make announcement of his
candidacy for a third term until near the close
Of the legislative session. By that time the anti
pass ard Urinary issues will have been thoroly
discussed in the country press and the governor
| AMI his friends will have chance to know
whether the issues are popular.
! The primary election bill seems to be doomed,
| If reports from legislators who ought to know
can be relied upon Senator COPYRIGHT of
! Waterloo and Tor, Purcell Of Hampton, two of
the men who were for the bill two years ago,
have come out against it.. While Senator Court
right is not a stalNart Cummins man, his sup
port was largely relied on to pass the measure
/ in the senate. He advances the argument that
/ Iowa is not in need Of a primary law. His
point IL that under the proposed law a man
would have to be rich to become governor of
Iowa. -. - -:~~ ,--s.s~z-
I'VE have never found 1t difficult to get hon
est men for office in Iowa." said Senator Court
right in discussing the BILL II believe that the
Republicans in Iowa would be defeated at the
polls, Notwithstanding the great majority we
have, If dishonest man We're put up for office
! To become a candidate for governor under the
proposed bill would necess1tate the expenditure
Of large sums of money even for the personal
expenses Of the candidate. He would have tt
make himself a te-getter in every county
If we were getting bad officials under the
present system, might favor change, but oul
offcilials are so good see no need for change
Representative G. A. Wise Of Black Hawk
county has Joined his colleague in the assembly
and is against the primary bill. Purcell, who
is actively working against the bill, Is not
has made his influence felt in northern lows
politics. d, $ ~, -, 49,. .~-. + esr-5
I City Attorney Hughes Of Cedar Rapids will
appear before the municipal corporations commit
tee today to ask for immediate legislation tt
make possible city elections in the state THU
year. Mr.. Hughes has discovered that til,
Il biennial elections amendment does not provide
\ for judges of registration in city and tow
elections The bill he proposes is one that will
temporarily remedy the defect 30 that cit.
elections may be held in the state this spring
He proposes that mayors be empowered to ap
, point registration boards. The code revision
Lconmittee' will undoubtedly revise the electio
laws and provide for the defect this session
Cedar Rapids, like many, other cities, is nov
t preparing for it's city election. : " - -