The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16
CHANGE MADE IN
 ELECTION LAWS Goodwin Explains New Laws Provisions IS CAREFULLY DRAWN Stops Excessive Use of Money and Makes It Possible For Poor
 Man to Run For High
 est Offices
IS CAREFULLY DRAWN

Montgomery, April 15.-(Speclal)-One of the very best measures enacted into law by the legislature, according to au- thorties on the affairs state, IS the primary election bill prepared under the supervision of the state democratic ex- ecutive committee.
 Tyler Goodwin, chairman of the state committee, stated today that all the members of the committee are delighted at the passage of the law. Tt is very full and complete" said Chairman Good wyn and makes more secure than ever the right of the individual democrat 10 take direct part in the selection of tho party nominees"
 "It will stop the excessive use of money in primaries" continued Chairman Good wyn, "and makes it possible for the man of limited means to become a can didate for office without breaking him. rollment of party voters will build up Q healthy and vigorous party spirit. Only democrats should be permitted to partici- pate in democratic primaries. and this en- rollment will insure such result The law, of course, may in the future need some amendments, but what amend ments may be necessary can be found out only from it's operation.
 ""rhe subcommittee of the state com mittee which did the principal work in connection with the preparation and pas sage of the bill have accomplished 0 patriotic and worthy undertaking. This committee appointed by me is composed of Hon. George w. Jones of Montgomery, chairman; Gardner Green of St. Clair county, Alexander Troy of Montgomery, B. D. Turner of Washington county, w. l.. Pitts of Perry county, l.. F. Greer of Calhoun county and R. T. Erwin of Mo bile. I am personally proud of the com- n.ittee appointed and gratifed at the great work they have accomplished for the party.
 "The following is brief synopsis of some of the main new features of the law:
 Tt Is not compulsory on any party.
 Where the candidate for governor of any party boiled 9 per cent of all the votes cast for governor at the preced- ing governors election, then the expenses Of such partys general primary election is paid for out of the county treasurer just as In general ele ctions.
 Any county committee. for any coun- ty and the state committee for the entire state may, prior to any general primary election, require an enrolment of all the voters of such party. This enrolment to be done by an CT rolling committee of three appointed by the chairman of the county committee. This enrolling com mittee must visit each precinct in the county and will be paid cents for each name enrolled. Only those enrolled can participate in the primary.
 r. ''trlfe- machinery for contests of non- nations is provided for in full, reducing the cost of contests and providing for proper tribunals and appeals; the state committee of the party being the court of last resort.
 Neither workers at the polls nor a voters lost time can be paid for. Sub- scriptons cannot be solicited from a can didate nor can any anonymous communi- cations be circulated concerning him. He must be given one days notice of any intention to make any publication inn punging his personal morality or h. tegrty. Food and drink, except water, cannot be given away to voters at the polling places. Employers of labor must give employees time to go to the polls without deducting from their wages. Cor lorations cannot contribute money to help or defeat candidate. Itemiged statement of all campaign expenses must be filed.
 Tn county elections the county com mittee has Jurisdiction, but in ali other elections the state committee has charge, except where there is a bona fide con- mittee then in existence for the political subdivision in which the election was held. The state committee has author ity to provide committees for all political subdivisions greater than one county.
 ''It is practically a complete election law in itself and undertakes to provide for all contingencies, and will prove of great benefit in keeping primaries clean and free from the excessive use of