The Detroit times., 1912-02-12
CALLS
LEGISLATURE IN
SPECIAL SESSION
Question of Presidential Pri-
mary and Other Matters
VIZ Come Up
LAWMAKERS ARE TO
CONVENE ON FEB. 26
Governor Puts Emphasis on Ne
cessity For Direct Vote on
Presid- initial Question

LANSING, Mich, Feb. 12.--Gov. Os-
Dorn has issued a call for special
session OF the legislature to convene
Feb. 70. TO take action on the ques-
ton OF presidential primary and
any other matters that may come up.
The progressives OF both the Demo-
cratic and Republican parties through-
out the state have declared strongly
for the presidential primary. Only a
few days ago, Edward frensdorf, OF
HUDSON, head of the Woodrow Will
son organization In Michigan sent
Gov. Osborn a message urging q spe-
cial session to enact q presidential
primary law. The Roosevelt boomers
have also declared for the plan.
The following proclamation issued
by Gov. Osborn for the special ses-
sior win be dated Feb. Is, as today
Is legal holiday:
This is an era In this country dur
ing. which government by the people
is becoming a reality. The tendency
| is 10 have the governmental function
| exercised on the part OF the people as
| direcNy as possible This is In obedi-
ence To much Of the best thought thsk
is applied 10 tho solution OF probieDgs
| involved by the science Of government-
| IL is equally the result OF a demand on
| the part OF the people that their ae-'
ing or harassing scrutiny and that the
rights of these who are living in siD-
ordinate capacity, shall not be tres
passed upon or In any manner snyiap-
gcred or selhshly directed by thosse II.
positions of strength and infitlence
over them and about them. Any con-
dition that makes for unfair gompe-.
tion in exercising the rights Or cits-
zenship causes both oppression and
suppre ssion.
RI this nation and this state. under
God. are TO be perpetuated as lands OF
liberty where worthy humanity OF All
the world shall find asylum and the
insurance OF equal rights, there must
be provided the fullest and fatrest
means OF expression OF those rights
This Is necessary IL these rights are
to exist at all. and TO be IN any sense
meanlngful. state that relies upon
all the people for the defense OF our
country IN, time OF war; that is willing
! to ,sscrifce the lives of our citizens
without regard to number or lvaines IN
the service OF the country, and In
pence withholds from all or any citi-
zans their most sacred privileges. or
burdens them with difficulty In their
use, IL intolerable.
Because OF the growing appreciation
OF this sentiment. the Legislature In
Michigan and legislatures in other
states have improved and are still Inn
proving methods OF election. In Michi-
gan at this moment. there exists an
extraordinary condition and occasion
hcusands OF voters i'm both OF the
great political parties, and many In
parties OF less magnitude as well. de-
mand an opportunity to vote directly
upcu presidential candidates IL this
which Is their right. Is withheld at this
/ time. there can be no exercise OF Il
| for four more years. even IL obtained
! by legislatures in regular session dur
| ing that time. No candidate and no
| party should wish TO obtain a privi-
! lego through a minority.
Believing fully that it is the right
| Of the citizens OF Michigan. irrespsc-
! tive Of political affiliations. to imme$
diately have a presidential preference
Iprimary law. I have decided to convene
! the legislature in special session.
| Acting under the authority OF sec
| tion Z, article 6. OF the constitution or
I the state of Michigan. / hereby call the
! Legislature OF the state OF Michigan 10
meet In extraordinary session on Mon
! day. the 26th day of February. A. D..
1912, ut IL o'clock noon, for the pur-
/ pose OF enacting a presidential prefer
4 eucc primary law. and for the conshi-
era ton OF such other matters as shall
F., be submitted by speciaf message.
The administration has already ap-
piled economies resulting In a saving
I OF over a million dollars TO the state.
Gov. Osborn issued the following
Continued on PAGE Nine.