Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-26
Governor Calls Legislature to
Convene Aug. 81 to Amend
Primary
SAFEGUARDS ARE DEMANDED
Extra Session Summoned to Attach
Provisions Permitting Filling of
Senatorial Vacancy on Republican
Ticket by Vote of the People at Gen.
eraI Election Nov. 8.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times-Republican.
Des Moines, Aug. 26.-Following his
announced intention of converting the
legislature in extra session, for the
purpose of amending the primary law
so as to permit the people to vote for
United States senator at the general
election on Nov. 3, Governor Cum
Minis last night issued the following
proclamation, which is explanatory Of
the intents and purposes of the extra
session:
A Proclama alton.
An overwhelming majority of the
people of Iowa believe that the indi-
vidual voters of the respective politi-
cal parties should have the right to de-
clare their choice for senators in the
congress of the United States. | am
profoundly convinced not only of the
wisdom, but of the necessity of pre-
serving to the voters this vital privl-
lege. In these times, especially, the
welfare of the country imperatiyely
demands that authority to make laws
shall spring directly from the body of
our citizenship. The Thirty second
general assembly enacted a statute
providing for primary elections, and
one of the chief reasons for its pass
age was to establish a way in which
voters could express their preference
as between candidates for the senate.
On June 2, the voters of the several
parties, in accordance with the law,
designated their candidates for the Of
a. ,,S,ls
the candidate selected by the voters
of the republican party is no longer
amongst the living, and the choice
made is, therefore, unavailing. The
senator to be elected by the Thirty
third general assembly will serve the
people of his state and of his country
for the period of six years-years that
will be full Of the most difficult and
perplexing problems. In view of the
premises cited, believe it to be my
duty to do all that my office permits
me to do toward securing to republican
voters of this state another oppor-
tunity to declare their choice for sena-
tor. If the choice be expressed at the
November election, as 1t should be, the
only expense incurred will be the cost
of a special session of the general as
sembly. This will be insignificant, when
compared with the value of the privi-
lege' to be preserved. / feel sure that
the taxpayers Of the state will unhes-
itatingly approve such an expenditure
in order to provide for an unforeseen
contingency, and to clothe the voters
of the republican party with the au-
thority to. select. their candidate FOR
this high office. The other political
parties will present to the coming gen
eral assembly their candidates for the
senate chosen by their voters, and it
would be denial Of common justice
if the voters of the republican party
We're prevented from presenting their
candidate chosen in the same way.
Therefore, I, Albert b. Cummins,
governor of the state of Iowa, do here
by call and convene the Thirty-second
general assembly of said state in ex-
ira and special session. and do hereby
declare that it shall meet in such ex-
ira and special session at the seat of
government. in the city of Des Moines,
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of Mon
day, Aug. 81, 1903, for the purpose of
considering an amendment to the prl-
mary election law which shall provide
for an expression of choice as between
candidates for the senate of the United
States at the general election, in the
event that the choice of any political
party for senator in the June primary
becomes unayailing by reason of death
or otherwise. Each and every member
of the said Thirty general as
sembly will take notice of this pro-
clamation, and govern himself accord
ingly.
In Witness Whereof. / have hereun-
to set my hand and caused to be aft
fixed the great seal of the state of
Iowa. Done at Des Moines, this 25th
day of August, A. D. 1908.
By the governor:
(Seal)
ALBERT B. cUa1MINs
w c. HAYWARD,