The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1909-03-04
Senate After Much Argument
Passes Original Measure.
VOTE ON ROLL CALL SHOWS BUT
ONE NEGATIVE VOTE.
Bill Attacked Bitterly BY Bonner Co.
Senator As q Rich Mans Law-Dem,
ocratlc Minority Votes Solidly II
Favor.

debate in which the Republicans SEEM
ed generally opposed to the direct pri-
mary bill it was passed by vote Of
22.t- l, in which the Democrats, un-
dU NE leadership of Freehafer of
WV 4fngtOn county, voted for the nlea-
surEk7 The Republicans while many
w.Ey4n favor of an amended bill. at
tHY>yA,aI vote when it was diScoveran
thto s.fe chances of amendment were
slight, owing TO the detection OF thr.e
of the thirteen Republican senators
voted solidly for the measure. At
a caucus lasting until late at night
the Republicans in iavor OF differen.
bill labOred to draft 2 substitute which
would cover the good points of the ori-
ginal bill and obviate it's defects and
it was virtually agreed by the
members OF the caucus that the substi
tute bill which vas drawn up by S an
ator Sweeley should be passed. But
owing to the close majority which the
Republicans have in the senate it WAS
found necessary 70 get the support OF
every Republican vote and such vote
could not be gained Nearly every man
who argued against the bill in the SEN
ate voted for rather than to set
aside the party platform, and the spec
taculars return of Senator Dewitt,
(Dem) fell rather flat in the face of
the vote recorded. None of the Repub-
licans who argued against the bill
would have refused to vote for the
measure as the last chance, and the
vote of McDevitt was not needed in
any case.
The fundamental points of the bill
are herewith given:
Provision for Senators.
Another clause is designed to be an
improvement upon the Washington
statute relative to the selection Of
United States senators. In that state
a majority Of first choices is required
to instruct the legislators for any one
party candidate. This is corrected to
read majority of first choices, or, in
the event there is not full majority,
the most first and second chOices-but
the language of the measure does not
stipulate that this shall mean bind
ing instruction to the legislators.
Separate Party Ballots.
Another section provides for sepa-
rate ballots for each party in pri-
mary election and permits no scratch
ing. A man must vote an entire party
ticket or none at all.
The party convention is to be at
tended, not by candidates, as in some
states, but by delegates designated by
county central committees who have
been chosen by the nominees. This
plan is adopted to prevent the plat
form from being distorted to fit the in.
dividual purposes of the various can.
didates. The same idea requires that
the convention of all parties shall be
held ON the same day but shall be
concluded within 48 hours
Candidate May Pledge Himself.
The law comes as near the election
of a United States senator by direc
vote as is possible under the constitu
ton of the United States. A voter a
the general election may signify his
first choice and then his second choice
I've party candidate for the toga re-
CN ling the majority of first choice
Ees Is certified by the secretary o.
sh to the legislature. II no one can
AlllcA gets majority the name of thu
on3RwhO gets the most first and secont
ch0i3e party votes. The legislators o
the party are not bound to elect him
They cannot be. But they may eig1
pledges at the time they become can
didates for the legislature, promising
to cast their ballots for the one wht
receives the majority Of first choice o.
the most first and second choice votes
In almost every instance, If the sta
tute operates as 1t does in other states
they will do this, and thus be held b.
their word.
The measure stipulates that separ
ate ballots shall be used at primar,
election by each party, a voter receiv
ing all of them upon entering boOtl
and discarding all but the one HI
wishes to vote. On each ballot unde
every office is blank line to be fille'
in with the name of the individua
choice Of the voter II he has no pre-
ference among the published candi
dates.
How II VIM Operate.
The law will operate In somewha
the following manner: The nrst pfi
mary election is to be held on the los
Tuesday In August. 1910. Any persol
entitled to hold an office may becom
q candidate. He does 80 bv hlin9
nomination paper at least 80 days be
fore the primary election. II he II
candidate for an once embractn
Inore 4Aan asooutny hs dies Il with tn