Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-31
Provisions of THO
Primary Measures
Bills Are Printed and Elect
ion Committee Are Pre-
pairing For Report
on Them
Des Moines Bureau of
The Ottumwa Courier,
%

Des Moines Bureau of
The Ottumwa Courier,
Des Monies, Jan. 20,
With the two primary election bills
printed the election committees have
gone to work on them this week to
discover an understand their points
of resemblance and difference. Both
provide for general state primaries,
with majority nominations, on speci-
fic dates all parties voting at once.
Party aff1liation may be declared at
the time of voting and the voter gets
the ticket he says he votes. In case
OF challenge the voter swears to his
utilization. But in the Peterson bill
the slate is wiped clean after each
election, while the Crossley bill pro-
vides a continuing voting list CLASH
fled as to parties and the voters have
a right 60 days before election to sig.
nifty change of party without it be-
ing questioned. In both bills, how
ever. one may effect change of party
on election day by making proper oath.
All elective, state, district and coun-
ty officers are included in both bills.
Peterson includes all city and town
only those in cities of 5000. Presiden-
tial electors and United States sena-
tors are included Crossley recognizes
any political organization as a party;
Peterson requires 2 per cent vote.
Under the Crossley bill the election
would be the third Tuesday In August
for all save town elections, which
would be the fourth Tuesday before
election. The Peterson general pri-
mary would be the first Monday in
September. the municipal primaries
the first Monday in March.
CrossIey Wants Uniform Bill.
Crossley provides for uniform bal
lots for all parties; Peterson would
have different colored ballots. Candi.
dates names go on the ballot alpha
betically. Peterson provides that any
one may be candidate for United
States senator by filing written re-
quest with the secretary of state; can
didates for state office must have 500
! signatures to petition, others 2 per
cent of the party vote. Crossley pro-
vides that for senator or elector / per
cent of the party vote in at least 10
counties must be in the petition, and
1
party vote in state or district.
Under the Crossley plan the judges
of election send the returns to the
county auditor who canvasses same
in the presence Of the party commit.
tee and as to township offices declares
the result, then the auditor certifles
the results to the county or district or
state chairman of the respective par
ties. Ultimately the canvass and final
declaration of result is in the hands of
a committee Of the county, district
or state convention, the committee
men being under oath.
In the Peterson system the election
board declares results as to township
and precinct elections, and on the Mon
day following election the county
board of supervisors canvasses re-
turns and declares as to county Of
fec, while the state executive council
acts as canvassing board for the state
and for districts. In municipal cleo
tions the city council canvasses.
Under the Crossley system a coun-
ty convention must be held on the
Saturday following the primary, and
in case of tie vote the convention
decides. The county convention
chooses from It's membership no prox-
les being permitted, delegates to dis
trict and state conventions. Congress
sional conventions shall be held be.
4 tween the second and third Tuesdays
after the election in presidential years
shall declare as to electors The
state conventions must be held be-
4 tewen the second and third Tuesdays
following the election, time and place
i to be determined by the party COM
mittees. Delegates to the county con
vention and committeeman are elect
4 ed.
No County Conventions.
1 In the Peterson system no county
conventions are held, but state con
vention may be held only for the pur-
4 pose of making party platform the
; delegates thereto being elected by the
county committees as elected The
state convention may also choose a
state campaign committee.
\ There Is no provision in the Peter
son bill for nomination of candidates
4 by petition as now, but only as indie.
lpendents In both bills there is also
punishments provided for bribery and
4 corrupt influencing of voters Peter
son provides for judicial review of q
case contested. In the Crossley bill
the judges and clerks of election arc
selected as for general elections; in
the Peterson bill they are the same
persons.
These two bills will probably form
the basis for most of the discussions
which will be given the subject in
committee, and both may be consid.
cred, with others on the floor Of the
senate and house. The Crossley bill
has been introduced in the house by a
democratic member, which might be
taken to indicate that it is acceptable
4 to the minority. The Peterson bill IL
a third longer than the CROSBY bill
i House bills Monday-By Hacker
changing the rule as to liability Of EN-
ployer for accidents to workingmen;
4 Darrah requiring railroads to fence