The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-03-20
Considering Election Bills.

i'"hSlhS' Mich, March 2c.-Irimary
election reform has again become the
center of interest in the legislature. In
the Senate, the election committee will
report out the James bill To repeal the
party enrolment and IL per cent re-
Huirenent Of the present law and to
provide secret ballot containing all
party columns on one sheet.
In the House, Il bill prepared by
! speaker Curric based on that of Sen
ttor James but with important addi-
tons has been introduced by Rep.
l'lcrd, OF bay. while Rep. Taylor Of
Ncht whose complete substitute for
the existing law was killed last week
VIII Introduce a bill of amendments
somewhat different from those of ths
other men.
| The speaker was one of those who
led the fight on the Taylor bill. His
objections were that the proper procr-
durc Vas 10 amend the act now In
force rather than to repeal it alto.
gcther and more especially that the
second choice feature OF the proposed
ballot was an undesirable complica-
! ton.
In accordance with the stand he
took then, the bill he now offers has
the essentials of the James hill above
ana includes the nomination by pri-
mary OF all candidates for state offices,
1t also makes specific provision for
registration before primaries and con-
tains a unique section which author
ICES county clerks to cancel the cleo
ton i'm any township or county in
which there happens to lie no contest
in any party; and in the case of II
wider jurisdiction such as "A judicial
circuit, the same authority would be
given the secretary of state. This last
is a matter of considerable Importance
N the opinion of the speaker
They tell me" he said. commenting
ON IT, that in the recent primary
Wexford district spent $i,i00. although
there was not single contested place
uu any of the tickets. That useless cX-
rcnsc might just as well be saved rs
mot"
Z
James has a circle onc-half inch III
diameter at the head Of the column al
lUtcd each party. The voter dcsignatcs
his party by making a cross in one of
these circles and he must stick to the
column SO marked. IL he does jump 60
another column, when he comes To the
candidates for governor for instance,
his vote does not count toward nom
nation for that office.
Speaker Curric makes NO change I'm
This ballot though he Is not inclined
60 insist on the circles. Rep. Taylors
plan follows the same principal OF
sticking to one column but he does
away with the circles which he say
would only bring confusion to the
voter.
The new Taylor bill would shoricr
tho law a great deal, cutting out nine
lsrctiunS altogether. II adds one new
section which deals with the choic,
of county. state and national com
'mittcemen. He would have all coun-
ty candidates meet within two weeks
after the August primary and choose
the county committee. Then between
- and 80 days after the primary al
the different candidates of each part
in a congressional district would meet
ard select two state committeeman
Provision also is made for the selec-
ton of delegates to state conventions
every two years and every other one on
these would choose national com
mittccman.
The elections committee of the house
IL dominated by conservative Republi
cans who openly defend the very
things which all of these proposals
would abolish. However. II is not cN.
pcctcd TO cut very much of Il hgur' u
the determination of what sort of
measure will be adopted.
The Senate committee on elections
practically mas agreed Ia report WIN
out substantial amendment, the Cop
l,v corrupt practices bill passed by the
4 iIousp