Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-03-13
LEGISLATURE DOINCS
OPINION ny JoHNsoN
ON RICHARDS PRIMARY
Pierre, S. D., ME-

q i =
OPINION eY JoHNsoN
ON RICHARDS PRIMARY
Pierre, S. D., March,.
An opinion, covering 10 distinct
points In the Richards primary law has
just been handed down by Attorney
General Johnson, based on numerous
inquiries that have been made OF him.
Several OF the points relate quite spe-
officially to organization matters which
are of specific interest to the democrats
in these time OF pending pie 1t Is held
lions at the present time, and will not
be such until the March primary cleo
ton in 1914
BY its very specific terms the Rich
ards primary, on it's adoption. legis-
lated all party officials out OF ONCE,
with no provision for new consign-
ment until the next primary election.
1t also is held. by the specific terms of
the law, that only democrats may be
primary candidates for postmaster, but
that all voters may participate in fix
ing the choice for recommendation to
the proper authorities.
Hard On Judges.
The 10 points covered in the opin-
ion of the attorney general are as fol-
lows:
l.. Candidates for judge OF supreme
"a III NaAS SOuISS WllI nave OuL OlC Ou'y
in which to secure signatures to their
petitions.
2. Article VIII of the primary law.
relating to primary endorsement of
postmasters, Is not in effect at this
time because the committee provided
Tor In the act will not be in existence
until March, 1914
all signers upon the petitions are linn
tied to the enrolled party electors of
the party national administration in
power.
4. Postmaster petitions must be
signed by not less than 10 per cent nor
more than Is per cent of the enrolled
party electors. having no reference to
number of votes cast by any particular
party.
5. The wording of section 11s must
be construed to mean that "all voters
IN each precinct of the municipality
may participate in the primary vote on
the endorsement of postmaster.
o. Failure of voter to indicate his
second choice for postmaster would
not lnvalidate the ballot
The matter of getting enrolled
concerns the Individual elector only.
and the township clerk is not required
to leave his office in the performance
of such duties.
s. Ballot boxes are to be delivered
~ A..>@A1 VI W. ~ Ssss. lBSlSSlQ VI DSluS
personally delivered by the sheriff. as
IN the previous primary law
- No additional compensation is
provided for the town clerk. by virtue
OF his duty as enrolling officer and no
extra compensation can be paid.
Enrolment Records.
~. The county auditor. as clerk of
unOrganlZea precincts. may keep the
enrolment records in his office. with
{y,t -,
canned precincts under this statue,
and the enrolment may be made at
this time
In conclusion" the attorney general
declares. Il would state that 1t is APP
parent that few individuals in order
70 further their political interests or
from honest convictions. may disagree
with me in the construction placed
upon THIS statue. In ORDER that it's
status may be definitely settled, would
respectfully suggest that appropriate
legal action be brought and the law
construed by the courts. This can be
done with Nery little expense and this
department will lend its assistance in
securing speedy decision.
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
IN SENATOR BOWEL
Pierre, s. d.. March 7-senator r.
- Bowel got 3 record exoneration
from this sanate in ar, ,xec,,ti,.a' sect, -
held TUESDAY nipht ay,ar ~, ras,,,o :, =,
evening session The actior w. 80, I.s,.
by viva vnce vote ~, n,s,+io e..
ator parks ana there v,e.ra = 81 ~
sponses in favor. ~ tl,c ,,,ot;a,, NJ -
voted in onnosition tI, ,,,. ,,,,+;s,s,
exonera tion 10y '''N'.'o'' ios
After the evidence ~ stl,a Asa.,
investigating com ;ttaa ,,as Ira..e ersol
and read Senatnr MsNI,s.a,. - ~,
surgestion that 4 womIi he r ,,raue W. 4s
have Senator. Reveal ra+;rs f fro,. ~. 70
assemble roo,,, 81, ti,,+ ti,l lie'
cnlltl fael fr.. -. d;sl,,,s., .i'a lmeaipers
formulate ,f Ito, &c alla
her raised, an nl,ia..tias ~. ,,9iiet mem
Mchfaster aid M ,,rass ~ ,.u SENATOR
The evida,,r !. nra =. SS. arr pu.a'l.
sco11mitfee Ana raas1 -, the IN! the
SiuGleii the tastin,n,,y ~ y - asIa as. 'h-
Ianose,,1 49,, l..s... y. DIlhker
Hanson. reannointnn iIi nsn,,t,. 8, A. NJ
fice: Dennis o'Leary. a newspa ne sr. cor ~
respondent. and an explanatory state
sment made to the committee by SEN
ator Bowel.
In the statement made by Senator
Bowel. he admitted that there had
been some discussion of a small cash
adjustment between himself and
Brinker. but claimed that the news
paper correspondent had really prompt
ed the idea in his mind. O'Learv
testified that Bowel had made a tlefi.
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