Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-04-14
ELECTION PETITIONS
READY FOR COUNCIL.
Petitions for Wet or Dry Elec-
ton to Be Submitted TO
Council Tonight.
JUNE II WILL BE THE DAY
Attorney Trindle Holds City Can Open
It's Own Registration Books for
This Election.

The petitions for the wet and dry
special election was submitted to the
city recorder this morning, and will be
one of the matters for consideration by
the city council this evening, when that
body holds its regular meeting
A bill for an ordinance will also be
introduced which sets the date upon
which the election shall be held and the
general manner of holding same, June
II is the date fixed by the proposed
ordinance, and the city recorder is di.
rected to open the registration books
for period of 10 days prior to the call
ing of the election,
Attorney Trindle, who is acting as
the legal representative for the dry ele.
ment of Salem, declared today that
there was not the slightest possibility Of
there being a flaw in the legal prepa.
ration Of the petitions or the ordinance,
as both were drawn up in strict com.
plance with the state election laws.
He explained that the election will be
entirely local affair, and that the
county registration clerks will have
nothing to do with the books at this
time. He declares that the city holds
the privilege of calling special elec.
tion by ordinance, and that the regis
tration books may be opened Is days
prior to the date Of the election. There
fore, according to Attorney Trindle's
opinion, registration of voters will have
to take place at the city recorders Of.
flee, and not at the court house.
A conference will be held some time
this afternoon between the members Of
the council and the representative for
the dry cause to determine whether or
not it will be more advisable to pro-
eeed with the preparation Of the spe-
cial election under the present election
laws or wait until the new law has be.
come effective.
In giving his reasons why it is not
compulsory for the registration to
take place at the county court house,
Attorney Trindle stated that the law,
in governing municipal elections, spe-
cial or otherwise, provides that where
the election ward precincts are not CO.
determnate with those Of the. county
election precincts, the city may proceed
with an independent election.
"It is the purpose of calling this
special election at this time to hold it
alone and separately from any other
matter to be decided by the people"
said Attorney Trindle. "We want to
give the vets and drys an opportunity
to settle this question without any other
issue being taken up at the same time." "
In speaking of the proposed special
election today, Mayor Sleeves declared
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placed at a great expense to conduct
the election, he would be In favor Of
those compelling the presentation of
the dry question to the public to re-
lieve the municipality by furnishing
tho amount necessary to curtail tho
costs He also said that those planning
tho election should take every precau-
tion before definitely deciding upon
the matter.
Special elections held in this city
heretofore cost the city between tlOo
and $500 each, very copseryatively
speaking. A special vote has not been
proposed here for some time, and on
account Of the increase in population,
and the fact that equal suffrage is now
in vogue, the cost Of a special election
at this time will undoubtedly exceed
that Of all others