The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-11-25
Announces plan
MLETTER TODAY
Addresses Governor Hanna
on Subject Saying it Would
Be a Needless Expense.
LEGALITY MAY BE
QUESTIONED LATER
However. Secretary of State Thinks
Candidates for Senatorial Honor
will be Patriotic Enough to Forego
Opportunity to Bring Contest.
Chimes Special ssrvios.)

Bismarck, II. D., Nov. 25.-There
will be no special session Of the
North Dakota legislature to pass laws
providing for the direct election Of
United States senators.
Secretary of State Thomas Hall to-
day addressed a letter to Governor
Hanna in which he made known his
intention Of submitting the question
at the general electio next year. 70.
gardless of the absece of direct pro.
vision for such procedure
Hon. l. B. Hanna, Governor, Bis.
marck. N. D., Dear Sir-On October
%, 1913. Attorney General Miller rem
iered to You his opinion holding that.
under the election laws as they now
exist. the secretary Of state - an-
thorized and empowered to place up
on the official ballot at the fall elec-
tion. as candidates for tho office Of
United States senator, the names OF
ties receiving the highest number Of
votes at the June primaries, and
hence, that special session Of the
legislature will not be necessary for
the purpose Of carrying out the pro-
visions Of the Seventeenth Amend
ment to the Federal Constitution, re-
Gently adopted, providing for and re-
quiring the election Of United States
senator's by popular vote.
Since the publication Of Mr.. NH
ler's opinion the public press has de-
manded of me to know what action I
purpose to take in the matter and
have Intentionally delayed making
public and definite statement Of my
position until L. could consider ma
turely the attorney generals opinion
md give to the subject that calm ana
Judgment that its import
ancei demands; aid, since you shaNss
Been quoted publicly as havtneH ex7s,
pressed the opinion, in accordance
with the attorney general. that II
shall follow the latter's ruling ana
place the names Of the successful par
ty nominees upon the official ballot
for the coming general election, NO
special session will be necessary.
feel that perhaps the announcement
Of my final determination should
most appropriately be made to you.
The duties of the secretary Of state
in connection with the preparation Of
ballots are purely mtntsteriai'
and while the performance OF those
duties may cali for the exercise OF
discretion and judgment. they are In
no sense judicial. That officer should
not be called upon to const1'ue the
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