Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-30
specia, to Times-Republican.


Des Moines, Jan. 30.-Among those
present today at the balloting was
Claude Porter, the democratic caucus
nominee. He says that he will remain
few days to aid the democrats in
securing the Oregon plan and other
measures
Representative Dabny. democrat. in
troduced a bill authorizing special
election On senator and directing the
governor to call such election when a
majority OF the present members Of the
legislature have signed pledge that
they will vote for the man who is nomi-
mated. 1t Is expected the elections
committee OF the house will tom norrow
act upon this bill, along with others
looking to securing an election to de-
termine the republican candidate.
Twelve Ballots Taken.
The third wreck Of balloting started
today. For eleven days the legislators
have been deadlocked over the sena- :
torshfp. Each week has started with
politicians believing the end was in
sight, but each week has ended with
the contest still far from settled.
The coming week probably will see
some developments along the law
making line which have. important
bearing on the situation.
In the house there IL a special pri-
mary bill by Harding which has been
In the committee several days and
which he can bring out this week If he
SO wills under the rule of the house
that committees upon demand must
report out bills within ten days. Rep
resentative Harding asserts he inten ds
to invoke this rule. If he does the
house will be forced to vote on pri-
mary.
In the house. too, is bill presented
by Representative Lund for preferen-
tlal primaries. by which the people
will be permitted to vote for three
The candidate getting the most votes
is elected and it is frequently the case
In states where this system Is in eff
feet, that q second choice man wins.
In all probability this amendment to
the primary law will be reported out
and acted upon early. SO that il the
Harding bill does come out and is
passed. preferential primary will be
had.
Young Fears Preferential Primary.
Whether this is to the liking of the
standpatters behind the special pri-
mary move Is a question. but the best
guess is that it does not appeal strong-
ly to them. Senator Young IL not en-
thusiastic over 1t, in fact he states that
he has not even studied 1t. When asked
for an opinion regarding it Senator
Young said he could advance none, be-
cause he was not familiar with It.
II can't say whether I favor a pre-
ferential primary" said Senator
Young, before leaving for Washington
after a months absence. II do not
know enough about the system. All I
can say is that l am in favor Of any
primary that will secure a fair express
sion of the people"
But every indication is that these
two measures will be before the legis-
lature this week. If the Harding bill
passes. primary will be called by the
governor to be held within thirty days
after the bill becomes a law.
Contest May Soon snd.
II the Harding bill is defeated, then
quick settlement OF the contest Is
looked for. 1t is not believed that Sen
ator Young then will be able to hold
his forces in line. nor viii some of the
other weaker candidates. There viii
be an immediate concentration of
strength and the strongest second
choice man will be elected.
But before the Harding bill may be
put before the legislature there may he
a caucus Of republicans of sufficient
number to nominate a man and elect
him.
Another Caucus Movement.
Another movement for a caucus will
be started this week by the progress
sive members Of the legislature. They
believe that a republican caucus should
be called in the regular way and with
out the necessity Of going around to
beg of each and every member that
he sign UP an agreement Of some kind
They are willing to take their chances
on regular caucus to consider tho
senatorship and the political bills pend
Ing and any other matter that may
como up. The fact that the democrats
have had four or five caucuses. not
only to consider who shall be their
party candidate for the senate but also
to consider the attitude Of their party
toward the political measures pending.
leads the progressive republicans 20 be-
lieve that the republican party ought
to be equally wise ana sensible