Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-02
IOWA LEGISLATORS MEET
Governor Cummins Sends Message
Regarding Primary Law.
CHOOSING, ALLIsoN's SUCCESSOR
Both Houses Organize PrOmptl and
to Complete the Work
for which They Were
Called Together.
CFrom a Staff Correspondent

(From a star correspondent
DIES MONIES. Sept. 1.-(special)-ln
his message to the general assembly this
afternoon Governor Cummins did not rec
ommend any special form in which the
amendment to the primary law should be
made but suggested that it be general so
as to apply to all political parties under
like circumstances and that all republicans
and none others should be allowed to vote,
that the expression be taken at the No
vember election to avoid expense of a
special primary and says that when you
have answered the question what Is re-
ouired TO be a republican you will have
discovered the test that should be applied.
If is generally believed that there are in
Iowa more than 10000 men belonging to
that party. Not on of them should be eX-
cluded from the privilege nor should any
others be entitled to it,
The governor stated in his message that
he considers the failure of the primary law
TO provide for the contingency that has
arisen. coupled with the death of the can
didate an extraordinary occasion within
the meaning OF the constitutions; that the
increasing difficulties of government, the
supreme necessity of inspiring confidence
in the wisdom of the laws have gradually
established the policy in western and
southern states of taking a primary vote
on senator; that the attempt of congress
IN regulate corporations is as yet but eN-
detrimental and incomplete; that the legis-
lature gave the people Of Iowa a chance
to select their candidate for senator but
that the selection OF one party has been re-
moved by the hand of death and either
the members of that party for six years
are to be denied the right of selection by
primary or the general assembly must
amend the law; and that he has unhesi-
~tatingly decided that the welfare of the
people demands the extra session and
amendment OF the law.
He took a firm stand against the Ore
gon plan of allowing everyone to vote on
senator regardless of party affiliation. and
that the nomination Of the party candidate
should be held strictly to the party mem
bers.
Law ON Filling Vacancy.
on the existing vacancy in the senate
the governor stated that a great deal of tn,
discussion in the state has been carried
on without reference to the law. He the.
quoted section 8. paragraph ?. of the con
stitution of the United states, which is:
And If a vacancy happens by resignatio
or otherwise during the recess Of the legis
lature Of any state the executive thereo
may make temporary appointments unit
the next meeting of the legislature, whic'
shall then fill such vacancy.
The governor said had he made an az
pointment It would expire with this meet
ing OF the legislature, and that il II shoul
adjourn without filling the vacancy h
would have no power then to appoint.
The governor further quoted the act c
congress relative to the time and NAME
OF electing senators, as follows:
Whenever on the meeting Of the legisls
ture of any state a vacancy exists in tn
representation of such state in the senat
the legislature shall proceed on the secon
Tuesday after meeting and organization {
elect a person to fill such a vacancy !
the manner prescribed In the precedin
. section for the election of a senator for
n full term,
a Thirty or forty members OF the legisli
, ture called upon Governor Cummins durir
the forenoon at his office ard there was q
p lengthy discussion Of the problem in hanC
at that time. Most Of the members VI thu