Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-30
GIVES VOTER PRIVILEGE or
EXPRESSING SEVERAL CHOICES
Senator Francis Pushing Public Service
Commission eili-lneorporates ideas
Of Several Other Msasurss-Me Kim
Icy Anniversary Observance in Leg.
isIaturo 10 Remote.
Il to Times-Republican.

protector OK tho plan for adoption as
part Of the Iowa primary system OF
the so-called preferential ballot. He
has made quite an extensive study Of
the matter and Is prepared to advocate
the measure with much earnestness in
committee The Wisconsin method
provided, however. for only first and
second choice expression. Mr. Daw-
son would have q third choice. THIS
idea Is taken from the experience OF
Grand Junction, Colo. in the commits
sion form Of city government. where
the voter may indicate his first choice.
his second choice and then one or more
other choices. The system Is said to
the first time it was tried. the objection
able elements combined on one candi-
date and gave him more votes than
any other. but not a majority. Then
they counted first and second choice
and still the Objectionable candidate
was ahead but not nominated. When
the third choice was added the whole
situation was changed and a new man
came to the front and won. This sys-
tenn applies only to a primary and not
made to apply not only to senator but
to governor and all state and county
offices. It would involve cutting out
the plurality and IS per cent clauses.
Mr.. Dawson intends to push the matter
hard before the committees.
Senator Francis. who at one time
said he would give up preparation of a
mil
taken hold Of 1t again and has one
about ready for presentation. He will
incorporate into 1t feature which
some Of the senators believe ought to
go into all measures involving an Of
fec made appointive by the governor
and to be confirmed by the senate.
This is to have the appointments made
to tho senate and then made public
and to be not acted upon for ten days,
so as to give time for objections to be
made II any there. are. The trouble
now Is that the governor makes ap-
pointments and they are kept secret
until after the senate has acted. Tho
constituents Of the senator's have no
opportunity TO inform the senator's as
to any facts they may have bearing on
the fitness OF the appointees.
The essential part Of the Francis
plan, however. 10 that while giving to
the commission tho fullest control over
all those concerns not entirely within
any city. It is reserved to the cities to
fix tho charges for the public service
that is entirely local. That which the
corporations desire above all else Is a
commission that will take entirely
away from the cities every particle of
authority they have: then to place this
commission at the disposal Of the gov
ernor 80 that by concentrating upon
the election Of a governor they may
virtually control the entire situation
Senator Francis seeks to avoid this
danger.
The Francis bill, It is anticipated
will embodv most Of the good featurees
of the sammis bill and the Van Law
bill and embody also the Sullivan bill
The prospect for having proper ce1e-
bration OF the Mckinley anniversary in
the legislature is remote. The senate
adopted concurrent resolution giving
the use Of the hall Of the house to
"Old Glory Circle" and authorizing a
special service this evening in honor
Of Mckinley. The passage of the res
oluticn merely called the attention OF
the legislators to the fact that there Is