Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-06-04
Senator Champions Measure
Provides for Popular Selec-
ton Of Delegates to Con-
ventlonS.
DEMOCRATS VIGOROUSLY
OPPOSE PROPOSED LAW
Good Roads Legislation Now
Up to Governor for Final APP
proval or Rejectloni Busy
Sessions Are Held, J
tsp.c,a, Dispatch to IN. Morning sournai.l !

! Especial Dispatch TO the Morning sournaiI
Santa Fe, N. M, June 3.--The SEN
ate was the center of attraction In
the capitol today Democratic ora
tory thundered and republican ora
tory thundered back. and Senator
Barth relieved himself OF few OBJ
servadons on the subject of gangs
and gang rule.
The cause of most of the trouble
was the Champion direct primary bill,
introduced several days ago and sup
posed TO represent the ideas Of the
republican organization as Lo the full
fillment Of the campaign pledges made
at Las Vegas last fall, The bill pro-
vides for the election by popular vote
OF delegates to county and state con-
ventions. who are to nominate the
candidates of their party for state and
county offices. No provision Is made
for the expression Of the popular will
on the candidates themselves. In ef-
feet II continues the convention sys-
tenn with a provision for the popular
election of delegates to the conven-
tions.
The democrats got on the warpath
as soon as the bill was read. Senator
Barth said that the republican con-
vention at Las Vegas had promised
the people u corrupt practices act.
good roads legislation and law pro-
viding for direct primaries. He was
willing to admit that the first two
promises had been kept. so far as the
lRcnate Is concerned. and called at
ltuhtion to the fact that the hills em-
bodying those measures had received
the support OF the democratic sena-
tors The bill under discussion he
declared was distinct step back
ward and II breach OF faith with the
people. He was of the opinion that
the existing law on the subject Is bet
ter than the one proposed
Senator Evans said that the pro-
posed law would actually do harm so
far as his section Is concerned He
stated that In the eastern counties or
the state there Is already real pri-
mary system In operation, and that II
this bill liz passed II will compel those
counties To go back TO the convention
system. Senator Hinkle sarcastically
remarked that he would favor Che bill
IL its title were changed 30 as to make
/ IL appear as an act to perpetuate the
county boss system, and II an amend
ment were adopted to provide that
either political party might do as II
pleased about holding primaries. SEN
ator Mabry sent IN an amendment
to change the title so as 10 read: AN
Act to Excuse the Republican Party
from Fulfilling Its Pre- Election Prom
lses." Senator Walton's objection to
the bill was that It is a primary law
which doesn't prime"
Senator Champion. in defending tho
bill, said that the gentleman on the
right hand side OF the chamber had
been extended the privilege which IL
usually accorded TO the bleachers-to
talk. 1t was the duty of the major
ity, he said, to act. He declared that
the bill is a distinct step forward and
is In keeping with the platform
pledges OF the republican party. II
was drawn, he said In the Interest
OF the entire people of New Mexico.
and not Of few counties In the east
ern part of the state.
The bill was passed by n strict par
ty vote of 16 to s. Senator Sulzer. pro-
gressive republican, voting with the
democrats.
Senator Barth again ran amuck
when Senate Bill 1911, providing for
the management of the state library.
came up for discussion. The bill pro-
vides that the library shall be under
the management of the supreme court.
which shall have the appointment of
the librarian. 1t Is the. same bill
which Mr.. Chavez. of Torrance coun-
ty introduced in the house and
which was defeated last week.
Senator Barth saw In the bill an
effort TO curtail the powers OF the
governor, and vigorously opposed II.
He said that for thirty years the state
has got along under the present sys-
tenn and that not until democratic
governor was elected had II been
deemed necessary to change II.
Senator Champion declared that the
bill was no more than an effort to
place under the control of the SUI
preme court the management OF Its
own workshop. He referred causti-
cally TO self appointed advisors OF the
governor" and said he believed II
bin could be passed to suppress such
persons. the governor would sign A.
Then Mr.. Barth broke loose. He
said that, as usual when the majority
had no argument 10 Justify their ac-
ton. they created diversion by jump
ing on him. He had been elected. he
said. 10 represent the entire people Of
New Mexico. and not n set OF gang
sters and that the fact that he had
received larger majority than his
opponent did votes. showed that the
people were In earnest about what
they wanted. He said that he could
not be deferred from doing what the