Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-09-09
THE SENATORIAL SITUATION.

That Governor Cummins made
mistake in calling the legislature to-
gether in extraordinary session is now
conceded by about everybody. The
purpose as announced by the Governor
was to amend the primary law so as
to permit the republicans of the state
to express their preference for U. S.
Senator to fill the vacancy caused by
the death OF the late Senator Allison.
There never was the slightest neces-
sity for this extra session. for the va
cancy could and should have been fill
ed by appointment by the Governor
of some one for the short term. which
is only until the fourth of next
March.
When Senator Gear died, while L.
M. Shaw was governor of the state,
he faced exactly the same situation as
Governor Cummins now fronts. Gov
ernor Shaw did not hesitate an hour
as to what he should do. for while he
knew that to make an appointment
for the existing vacancy was really to
dig his own political grave. he
promptly appoint J. P. Dolliver for
the vacancy and thus saved the state
the expense of an extra session of the
legislature. Had Governor Cummins
possessed the manhood of Governor
Shaw he would have appointed one of
his friends for the short term and
awaited the action of the Legislature
to be chosen in November for an cleo
ton for the long term. He was not
great enough for such an act. he fear
ed it would mean his own defeat for
the term beginning March fourth
next; so, under an unwarranted as
sumption that the people we're deman-
ding another chance to express their
preference for Senator he called the
Legislature together in extra session
at an expense of 81, 200. 90 per day, be-
sides mileage amounting to 1898. 90.
How long it is to last no one can tell,
but il we are not much mistaken the
taxpayers will want to know when
this farce is to come to an end, and
when an opportunity is given them
they will express their opinion of the
outrage in way that will leave no
room for doubt.
The situation at this writing is as
follows: Fifty.eight progressives
have held caucus and voted for
Cummins; forty-six standpatters re.
fused to attend the caucus, only two
being present. and these two retired
from the caucus after expressing their
views. Among these was one vote for
q. N. Haugen. There are 100 repub-
lican members of the legislature and
46 democrats so that il the standpat-
tiers continue to refuse to vote for
Cummins deadlock is a certainty,
for the democrats will stand by Porter
from beginning to end.
Upon the RECOMMENDING of the Iegis-
lature yesterday noon the Anticipated
deadlock was made practically certain,
when at 30 p. m. vote or United
States Senator was taken in the house.
Cummins received only A votes, while
Porter (democrat) received 81, with
the standpat vote scattered al follows !:
A. b. Funk 4, W. p Hepburn 2. John
+: Lacey 2, 6. N. Haugen 1. Geo. w.
Clark |, j. H. Trewin /, VIM. LARA.
bee /, A. j. Baker /, A. f. Dawson /,
Walter |. Smith l. In the senate
Cummins received 81. Porter IA, Per-
kips j, Jackson 3, Thrift 4, Larrabee
], Lane 4. Garst l. The senate adopt.
ed the committee report amending the
primary law so that every voter must
sign declaration of parry utilization
before receiving his ballot.