Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-16
PRIMARY NON.UP 1O
DEMOS AND ALLIES
If progressive's Bill is Modi-
fed, 1t Will Be Done By
opponents
OPPOSITION is NOT AGREED
Democrats Even Moro Insistent for
Radical Amendments Than the
standpatters-At Variance Over
Plurality Nominations Feature-Min-
or Amendments Acceptable.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, March 16.-Will the
primary law Of Iowa be modified and
perfected in its terms by the democrats
or by the standpat republicans? The
measure as perfected III committee is
recognized to be distinctly a progress
sive measure. Thus far the standpat-
tiers as a class have refrained from Civ
ling any material aid to those who are
earnestly trying to give Iowa the best
primary election law ever framed. But
the> progressive republicans cannot
alone pass the bill and make the law.
Now it is up to the democrats or
their allies, the standpatters, to either
lend a hand in making the bill accept
able so that they can give it sanction
or to so manipulate affairs that Iowa
will be last OF the enlightened states
to effect reform.
The democrats have formally rec
ognized the necessity for some party
action on the primary by naming a
committee to deal with the subject. The
standpatters have no such committee.
but none the less are acting, In some
measure, in concert and with view to
securing concessions. Both the dem
ocrats and the standpatters profess
that they do not desire to beat the pri-
mary, but that they want the bill per-
fected. All recognize the fact that the
people of the state, whether their judg-
rnent be good or bad. have decided that
Iowa ought to have primary law.
There Is no argument on that question
any more. They also recognize that
there are some communities where no
primary law is wanted. They also
realize that where there Is such d.
versity OF opinion the bill passed must
of necessity represent compromises.
1t is understood that informally the
democrats have indicated that they
will insist upon wide open primary
convention nomination Of judges, APP
plication Of the law to large cities and
a requirement that the successful can
didate shall have a certain percentage
Of the vote.
In like manner the standpatters have
indicated that they may not be insis-
tent on majority primary, but would
accept plurality nominations with
minimum requirement, and this mini
mum is likely to be lower than that of
the democrats.
The democrats have stated that they
want the successful nominee to have at
least one-third of the vote; the stand
patters would be satisfied with one
fourth or perhaps less
This question of requirement as to
the nomination minimum will be first
on the program when the bill comes up
next week. 1t is certain that conces-
sions will be made either to the demo-
Gratis or to the standpatters. 1t is up
to them to decide which shall have the
honor and the credit of making tho
primary bill perfect. In this matter
there is not now entire agreement be-
tween the democrats and standpatters
and they are not likely to come togeth-
er on any plan that will suit them both.
The republicans, on the other hand,
have given it out plainly that while
they are ready to make some conces-
sions, they will not make concessions
that will go to the vitals of the bill, and
it must remain statewide plurality
primary bill affecting all officers who
are amenable to the people. The com
ing week will witness some interesting
developments in this matter.