El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-07-20
.LIGHTFOOTAN
LANE WIDELY
DISAGREE
Attorney General Says Elec-
tors Names Must Go on
Ballot Deputy Says Nay.
QUESTION AFFECTS
THE GERMAN VOTE

ference in official rulings as to the
necessity Of placing the names of the
Democratic electors upon the ballot
that is to be voted in the state pri-
maries to be held July p. The con-
troyersy over the question has its ORR
gin in the contest for governor. As a
result of the difference of opinion as to
the legal necessity of placing the
names Of the electors upon the ballot.
many of the counties in which the
official ballots have already been
printed have left the names off while
others have placed them upon the
ticket.
Difference of Opinion.
I In an opinion given by J. P. Light
foot, attorney general, 1t is held that
the state election law specifically pro-
vides that the names of the electors
shall be placed upon the ballot and
voted on in the primaries In direct
opposition to this position of Mr..
LightfOOt is the opinion given by c. Z.
Lane, assistant attorney general, who
/ holds that there is no legal provision
requiring the names of the electors to
go upon the primary ballots
While Mr.. Lane has the title Of as
sistant attorney general his duties
have no connection whatever with the
attorney generals department. He is
( attached to the court of criminal ap-
peals as prosecutor for that tribunal
Before Mr.. Lanes appointment to the
office the officials holding that posi-
ton never sought to exercise the du-
ties which properly, under the law, be-
long TO the attorney generals depart
ment. 1t was upon the direction Of
governor Colquitt that Mr.. Lane began
passing upon public legal questions
and acting as the legal advisor Of the
state executive. This usurpation Of
the attorney generals duties by Mr..
Lane was due to the fact that gov
ernOr Colquitt and attorney general
Llghtfoot have been at personal and
political outs ever since they entered
upon their respective terms of office.
Tt has led to much confusion among
the people of the state who are not
familiar with the duties devOlving
upon the respective officers Mr.. Lane
is .1ligned with the ant-prohibition
element Of the party, Of which gov
ernor COlquitt is the recognized lead
er. This faction was strongly opposed
TO the nomination of Woodrow Wilson
for president.
Want to Strengthen Ramsey.
On the other hand Judge ". F. Ram
sey, Mr.. Colquitt's opponent for the
nomination of governor, is one of the
leaders of the element of the party in
Texas which supported Wilson's nOmi-
nation. AS a result of this alignment,
the Ramsey supporters are endeavOr-
ing to make much political capital over
the nomination of Mr.. Wilson, and it
is alleged by the COlquitt campaign
managers that the purpose OF the
movement to place the names Of the
Democratic electors upon the primary
ballot is to strengthen the Ramsey
support. It is alleged that II the names
of these Democratic electoral candi-
dates are upon the ballot thousands Of
German Republicans. who otherwise
would participate in the Democratic
primaries for state officers would feel
themselves debarred from doing so.
The Germans of south Texas are Re
publicans when IT comes to national
political affairs, but they have been
accustomed to voting the state Demo-
cratic ticket. They are anti-prohibi-
uonists almost to a man, and are solid
supporters of COlquitt If they are per-
mitted to enter the Democratic pri-
maries. With the names of the Demo-
cratic electors upon the primary bal
lot, however, it is believed that few
of them would participate in the pri-
maries. This would mean a heavy loss
in the Colquitt vote, and the situation
is said to account largely for the rul-
ing made by Mr.. Lane, who is one Of
Colquitts appOintees, to the effect that
the names of the Democratic electors
have no place upon the primary bal
lot. 1t is not improbable that this con-
troversy over the election may find its
way into the courts.
Electors Must Be Nominated.
According to the view taken by at
tOrney general Lightfoot, unless the
electors are nominated in the primar-
les, they cannot be legally voted upon
at the general election. This leaves
room for Republican electors to be
elected. 1t is said that several OF the /
districts, acting under instructions Of
Sheb Williams, chairman of the state
II
in turn is guided by the opinion of Mr..
Lane, will leave the names of the
Democratic electors off of the primary |
ballot The law is not made to apply /
to the Republican or other party !
electors.
Campaign Is Exciting.
Never in tie history of Texas has /
there been a more exciting campaign /
for the gOvernOrship than is now being /
waged. 1t is only a few days until the /
primaries. Both COsquitt and Ramsey
are in the midst OF q grand finish
of prominence are on the stump for 1
Ramsey in different parts Of the state. I!
It is generally conceded that the pro-
hibitiOn question will be the determin- !
ing factor in the primaries Both sides /
are making large claims as to the re- !
suit of the primaries. 1t is fOrecasted |
by the Ramsey managers that their 4
candidate will be nominated by ma |
OF more IMAM lofuuu Oll the {
other hand, COIquitt leaders say that |
the governor will be renOminated by |
more than $4,000 majority. Analysing |
the situation in its various phases, it /
Is predicted by men who are good !
judges of politics that the race will be |
close, with the chances in favor of i
Ramsey. 1t is claimed on behalf of !
the leaders that he will receive not !
only practically the solid prohibition /
vote, but that, with very few excep- /
lions. all of the support which was /
given to the three candidates who Op- /
posed Mr.. Colquitt in his race for /
governor two years ago will go to /
Ramsey. 1t is also apparent that the !
union labor vote is almost solid against |
COlQuitt. Added to the other elements /
of Ramsey's strength is so percent of |
the lawyers of the state who are sup 1
porting him, it is said. because of his I
legal ability, as shown during the time 4
he was upon the supreme court bench |
of Texas. Governor Colquitt is also /
antagOniZed by the Daughters OF /
Texas Republic. They are putting in |
some very effective work against him |
in different parts of the state.