The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-02-13
FARMERS FAVOR THE REPEAL
Great influence Is Being Brought to
Bear by Progressive i'll an Effort to
Keep The Troublesome Law on the
Statute Books for Two More Years

The most Important Oh inc so-CdLou
political bills before this legislature is,
of course, the plan for the adoption
of the Oregon senatorial primary sys-
tenn in this state. There are other
political bills, however, of interest,
and among them the bill for the re-
peal of the Mary Ann or second
choice primary law. There is to be
very definite attempt made to secure
from this legislature repeal OF the
second choice law. While it will prob
ably not be effectual for the reason
that the second choice primary law
has apparently good standing among
the members, who are directing legis-
lative affairs and who believe that
whlle the law causes some inconveni-
e1ce at the present time, it will event
ually work out to the benefit Of the
state and give more direct express
sion than could in any other way be
obtained as to the real choice of the
voters when principles as well as men
are involved in the nomination of any
officer, still an attack upon the law
will have many friends.
In the agricultural portions of the
state there is really a decided oppo-
sition to the law, as is evidenced by
the number of members who, while
favoring almost every kind of pro-
g1essive legislation, would like to see
the Mary Ann law repealed. The
main argument against the measure
is that it makes the primary election
cumbersome and that in actual prac-
tice it is not having much effect on
nominations by reason of the fact that
very small percentage of the vot-
ers are aNailing themselves of the OPP
portunity to express a second choice
ON the ballot
There is some opposition to the law
from counties containing large cities
also, and several of the non-partisan
members from Milwaukee county are
willing to support a movement for the
repeal Of the bill. As matter of
fact, however, the opposition from the
larger cities is based rather on the
difficulty which it adds to the count
on primary election days than any
deep seated opposition to the law it.
self, and some of the Milwaukee mem
bers, as well as several members from
Winnebago, Lacrosse and other coun-
ties of the state having large cities,
are not inclined to look with favor on
the repeal bill. In fact, talks with the
members would seem to indicate that
the Mary Ann law had given better
satisfaction AID its provisions were
more generally followed by the voters
in the large cities than in the country
In only few instances, according to
the opponents of the law, did the Sec
ond choice ballots which were cast in
the primary have any effect on the
result of the primary, and this fact is
another reason given why the law
should be wiped from the statute
books as useless incumbrance.
1t would probably be futile to pass
a bill on the subject even were such
an action possible for the reason that
it is understood Gov. McGoSern would
exercise his right of veto on any
measure which may be passed for the
repeal of the Mary Ann law. The gov
ernor himself thinks that the second
choice proposition will eventually
work out in satisfactory manner and
that it has not yet been given really
fair trial.
The question of changing the day
on which the primary election shall
be held is another political bill which
will attract legislative attention.
There is little chance that the bill as
drawn by Assemblyman Rosa chang
ing the time of the primary election
from the first Tuesday in September to
the first Tuesday in April will be-
como law. The opponents of this
lill feel that the primary should not
be placed eight months away from the
general election and while they uudec-
stand the force of the argument that
it would give the farmers an oppor-
tunity to vote in the primary because
of the fact that town meetings were
held ON the the day, it is not prob
able the bin will obtain very general
support, as few members of the legis-
latnre seems anxious to put the state
under the burden of an eight months
campaign. The strong objection of
the farmers to the holding of the pri.
mary on the first Tuesday in Septem-
Der because of the fact that that is a
busy time with them may result in a
change in the primary election day,
hut if a change is made it will prob
ably be placed in August rather than
in April.
The elections committee Of the as
sembly which will have these bills in