Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1908-09-02
IOWA REPUBLICANS
IN HARMONY FEST
FACTIONS AGREE ON HOLDING
A SPECIAL PRIMARY
ELECTION.
LEGISLATURE CALLED BY Gov
ERNoR TO ENACT MEG
ESSARY LAW.

Des Moines, Ia, Aug 26.-Nearly
1000 republicans were in conference
here yesterday in an effort to aIlay
the factional strife which has torn
the party during the past few years
and which was believed by many to
menace the success of the republican
ticket in this state.
The feature of the occasion was
Governor Cummins announcement
that he had decided to call a special
session of the legislature to dispose
OF the senatorial matter, which since
the death of Senator Allison has
threatened to renew the old fight.
This special session will be asked to
amend the state primary law to per-
nit the republican voters to select a
senatorial successor at the regular
election in November, instead of
leaving it to the legislative caucus.
In the conference opposition was
expressed to such a proceeding, but
Governor Cummins' announcement
settled the matter and the decision
was generally accepted in good
spirit, with the understanding that
the law be so amended that only re-
publican voters could participate in
the selection of a republican senate
rial candidate.
Party Leaders for Harmony.
Many party leaders were present
and most of the members of the Iowa
delegation in congresse Senator Dol
liver was one of the speake. 5, ac-
cepting the decision of governor in
good part and declaring himself I'M
eQuivocally for the harmony program.
George d. Perkins, editor of the
Sioux City Journal, bitter opponent
of Cummins, and John F. Lacey,
were also among the speakers declar-
ing for harmony. Lacey once or
twice stirred up a little disagreeabIy
sentiment by his references to the
last fight Governor Cummins spoke
at some length, explaining that his
reason for asking that the senator
ship be submitted to a primary cleo
ton was that it would make possible
the election of all republican legis-
lative candidates and provide for an
unbiased expression of the voters on
the matter. State Auditor Carroll
the republican nominee for governor,
was also one of the speakers.
The conference was held under the
auspices of the state central commit
tee and it is generally believed to
have been productive of good in
bringing the factions together for a
united fight for the entire republican
ticket.
Immediately Issues Call.
Late last evening Governor Cum
Minis issued proclamation for a spe-
cial, session of the legislature to
amend the state primary law, fixing
August 81, as the day for converting.
The proclamation sets forth as the
governors reason for converting the
legislature-hi belief that IN over
whelming majority of the people o.
the state are in favor of expressing
their choice for senator in primary
election. 1t also specifies that the legis-
Iature is convened to amend the pres
ent primary law to make such
choice possible by providing fol- an
expression of a choice between can
didates for the United States senate
at the general election in November
when the choice of any political
party becomes unavailing at the reg
ular June primary, through death or
otherwise.