Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-02-21

to defeat, but with what knowledge
these predictions are made is a ques-
ton yet undecided The same meas
ure was before the senate two years
ago, when the membership of that
body was identical with its present
make up. At that time the vote was
10 for the passage of the bill and rs
opposed. The measure then contained
features which many pronounce bet
ter than are contained in it as at
present shaped. For one thing, it
called for majority vote at the pri-
mary to assure the nomination OF
candidate for any Office. The bill, as
now shaped, permits the nomination
TO made by plurality vote.
Shaw Raps Primary Bill.
One of the most interesting devel-
cpments regarding the bill during the
past week was letter written by Sec
rotary of the Treasury Leslie M.
Shaw, former governor of Iowa, to
Senator Molsberry of Columbus juno
tion. Secretary Shaw is absolutely
opposed to the idea, and gives his
views in strong, terse terms. Re
says, among other things:
"A republic is constructed ION the
theory OF representation. We do not
]egislate at the polls and we cannot
safely nominate at the polls. We can.
however, safely elect delegates at the
polls who shall in turn select dele
rates at the convention to represent
them at state and interstate conven-
tons and to legislate for them in state
and legislative bodies, and in that
way the people are all heard and in
each instance the individual acts ad-
yisedly. In order to get 10 per cent
Il the votes it would be necessary TO
Lave agents in every county in the
state. Railroads could maintain such
IN organization; private citizens could
rot afford to maintain one. / believe
no ordinary citizen under such law
could secure the nomination for
state office in Iowa for less than $780,
100. In Virginia 1t cost the candidates
about 81 each for the votes they re-
keived at the primary.
Pessimistic Over Presidential Hopes.
Il hope that you will appreciate
that / have no personal interest in
this matter. My own political for
tunes are unimportant. Whatever
Shaw sentiment exists has sprung up
spontaneously, and unless it grows
spontaneously, which is not probable,
Iowa will not be permitted, much less
asked, to express her confidence in
me. certainly hope factional poll
tics will not affect this great question
under consideration. Iowa will be on
the map when we are all gone and a
sentimental law will curse her many
years before any one will have the
courage to ask its repeal. A state
wide primary for the purpose of TAX
ing the government back to the peo-
pie sounds well. but 1t is the only law
Of which / have knowledge which car
ries with it the possibility of taking
the government out OF the hands OF
the people,"
In his letter Secretary Shaw be-
comes very frank regarding his first
nomination for governor of the state
of Iowa and refutes the oft-repeated
charge that he was the candidate of
Blythe and the railroad element. He
shows that the first congressional dis
trict, out Of 116 votes, only gave him
22 votes at the most in the CONVEX.
ton.
Insurance Investigation.
The senate subcommittee having in
charge the inquiry which may lead up
. the appointment of commission to