Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1906-04-04
ASK TO BIZ RELEASED
Zine Senator's Desire to BE Freed
From Promise.
REBUKE OF LANHAM.
Reminds the Petitioners That They
Mere Called Together to Cor
rect an Errer and Request
Is Refused.

eN'eaes .Eta 4aAAN n aN1A&10a8A
turn wss taken Tuesday In the tsngls
on the construction OF section 100 Of
the election bill where senator's who
favor a blanket primary addressed .
letter to Governor Lanham asking to
be released from the promise made
10 him and that they wish 10 vote as
they see III on the election law. The
letter II signed by Senators Faulk.
Harper. Griggs. Chambers. Glasscock.
Beatty. J. w. Terrell. Gnnnan and
Stokes.
In his reply the governor severely
rebukes the legislature ior injecting
the blanket primary 10 the bill.
Following is the text OF the letter
addressed TO the governor:
Senate Chamber. Austin, Tex.
April ,. lgO6.-Governor s. W. r. Ian
ham. Austin. Tex: Dea. sSs..s.syWe are
as anxious as yourself or any one
else 20 restore section i20 OF the cleo
tion law as II passed the last legisla-
ture with an amendment providing
that any candidate for state or dis
trict office receiving a majority OF the
votes In the primary election shall be
declared the nominee. This, In our
opinion. perfects the law and responds
10 the demands OF the people Many
members on the floor Of the senate
who voted against this amendment
said that they did so on account OF
a promise. either expressed or implied.
made TO you TO only restore section
100 az this session as II passed the
last legislature. but also tated that
they favored n blanket primary cleo
tion law. and that their constituents
wanted H. In view Of this situation.
and the further fact that this called
session will likely adjourn without do
Ing anything, we therefore respectful
ly ask you 90 release said members OF
the senate from the aforesaid promise.
90 that they may be free and untram-
meled 10 act in this subject. We do
not know whether you favor the pro-
posed amendment; neither do we
know whether or not said members
desire 10 be released from said prom
ise 90 you. but In our opinion the
gravity OF the situation demands that
you indicate 10 them by special mes
sage or otherwise your willingness 10
absolve them therefrom.
The senate has passed the resolu-
tion 20 adjourn sine die at II o'clock
today. and the two houses are locked
on the issue OF a blanket primary
election law, and We believe that the
solution OF this matter Is on the lines
indicated above. and that II this course
II taken. section l20 will be restored
intact. with the aforesaid amendment |
ADDED. which strengthens and perfects !
the law. We have been In session |
only few days. and We do not believe /
that we should adjourn without en-.
hauSting every available means at COM |
mand to accomplish the purpose OF
this called session. which we do not |
think has been done. We do not In
tend 10 be officious or go beyond the |
bounds OF propriety. but we are ac-
tuated solely BY q sense Of duty and |
TO meet the unusual conditions that
confront us"
In his reply the governor says: |
Dear Sirs: have received your |
letter OF this date In which you re-
quest me 10 relieve members OF the |
quest me 10 -elleve members OF the sen |
ate from the promise. either express
ed or implied. 10 only restore section |
i20 at this session, as Il passed the |
legislature. In reply. bes 10 advise
you that have received no request
from any member Of either house I |
hav received no request from any
OF either house except your ]
selves for such rleass. convened |
this special ssion for the specific pur-
pose mentioned IN the call and as fur
ther explained In my message 10 the
legislature. The call was made upon
the initiative OF those members of the
legislature who appeared TO desire
4 special ssssion for the sole purpose
Of 80 correcting said section 40 as TO |
make II conform 10 the meaning and
language IN which II was -.nally pass
ed. I frankly state 10 you that no
suggestion was made 10 me In refer
ence TO any other matter than such
correction by any members Of the leg
stature who asked or agreed 10 the
special session. until after the call
vas made I would not have convened
his special session had I believed that
,ther matters than that embraced In
he call and my message were TO be
considered. do not feel authorized
10 release any gentlemen from any
promise either made to me OF 10 his
'sllov members. I must therefore rs
decline 70 comply with yeur
request.
Il have the honor 10 be. very 70
'pectfully. your obedient servant.
3. W. T. LAkHAh.