The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1907-05-04
Sends a Special Message to
the Legislature on
the Subject.
WOULD BROADEN THE SYSTEM
Urges a Law That Will Give the
Poor Man Equal Show with
the Rich.
DRAFT or Bill Creating Railroad Com
mission Is Compieted-Revision
ofthe Military Laws OF the
Stakeholder Matters.

Lansing, Mich. April 30.-Prelim-
mary to the consideration by the house
OF the Dickinson bill 20 amend the pri-
mary election law. Governor Warner
sent the legislature a special message
on this subject. He advocated the
elimination from the present law OF
the provision that the successful can
dldate for governor or lieutenant gov
ernor must poll 40 per cent. OF the
total vote cast urging that the people
desired that there be no provision that
will. under any circumstances, prevent
the nomination OF candidates for these
two Offices by direct vote and throw
the contest into a delegate convention.
The nomination at the primaries OF
candidates for United States senator
was also earnestly advocated, as was
an amendment that Will provide that
all nominations be made on the same
day and thus avoid the great expense
incident TO several primary elections
In a single year The governor made
an appeal for the broadening OF the
system so as to give the poor man an
equal show with his rich opponent for
the nomination.
Statement OF Expenditures.
| To this end he urged a law designed
TO prevent the use OF money az the
polls and requiring the filing OF an
itemized statement OF expenditures by
all persons, whether candidates or not,
who make any expenditure I'm connec.
ton with contests Cor nomination for
United States senator. congressman,
governor. lieutenant governor and
other high offices. Governor Warmers
ideas OF what this provision should
be are embodied In the Allen-Fyfe bill
described by me last week.
The house took up the consideration
OF the general primary bill last Thurs
day afternoon and threshed the mat.
ter over for several hours. Although
the consideration OF the bill was not
concluded when the hour for adjourn
ment arrived. the discussion had pro-
ceeded far enough and had exposed
the attitude OF the representatives suf-
ficiently 10 warrant the prediction that
the bill will be amended ana agreed
20 along the lines recommended by the
! governor. I'm fact. the house In COM
mittee OF the whole promptly and
rather enthusiastically adopted the
amendment 10 include United States
/ senators In the list OF candidates 10 be
nominated by direct vote. This amend
ment was disposed Of IN short order
! but the solons devoted much more time
20 the consideration Of the amendment
offered by Representative Dickinson,
author OF the bill. as well rs OF the ex-
listing law. striking out the provision
requiring the successful candidate TO
poll 40 per cent OF the total vote cast.
Discussion Was Thorough.
This proposition was discussed up
one side and down the other, the SEES
sion continuing until long after 0
o'clock, very unusual proceeding.
on the one hand IL was argued that
the percentage clause should not be
stricken out for the reason that the
nominee for United States senator.
governor or lieutenant governor should
be the choice OF at least a large pro-
portion OF the party in the state. and
|
sured Ia 10 require such candidate 10
poll liberal portion OF the vote cast.
ON the other hand II was urged that
the real object OF the primary law was
20 place these nominations In the hands
OF the people and remove them from
delegate conventions. and n any per-
centage clause were retained I'm the
law this object could readily be de
feated and doubtless would be defeat
ed by the placing In nomination OF can.
dldates representing different sections
OF the state, so that no candidate could
possibly poll the requisite percentage
OF the total vote. thus throwing the
contest into a convention. A test vote
on this amendment showed "a mem
bers IN favor OF IL and 80 against The
consideration OF the bin Will be COM
pleted this afternoon. but the vote
mentioned Is generally accepted as
an indication that the bill will be
amended az advocated by the gov
ernor IN his special message and as
thus amended will pass the house by a
good majority.
The fate OF the measure In the SEN
ate Is very uncertain. There Is n
strong opposition in this body 20 the
new provisions.
Revision OF Military Laws.
The differences over the bin re
vIslng the military laws Of the state
have been adjusted and the measure
has been favorbly reported by the
ways and means committee OF the
house The principal dispute was over
the provision for erecting armories.
As finally adjusted the provision con
templates an appropriation OF SO
900 for each Of the ensuing two years
not more than $4,000 10 be used for
any one company. The state military
board II given completes control 90 to