Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-02-12
PROVIDES METHODS FOR STATES
WHICH HAVE NO LAW ON
SENATORS.
LAW EFFECTIVE ONLY
UNTIL STATES ACT
House Democrats Turn Down Prssi-
dent Wilson'S Plea For Direct Pri.
maries on President-Fear States
Rights Would Be Violated by Plan
Troubles Taksn Direct to President.

Washington, Feb. 12.-Without q
roll call the senate passed a bill to
provide a temporary method for the
nomination and election Of senators
in states that have not legislated to
carry out the seventeen constitutional
amendment to make the direct election
Of senator's. An amendment to make
the measure apply only to elections
was defeated 81 to 16.
The law would be effective only un-
til the various states provide their own
machinery for nominating and electing
senator's. Where no such methods are
provided, the bill would make the state
laws for nominating and electing state
officers applicable to senators.
The only fight against the measure
came from southern senators, who con-
tended that the federal government had
no constitutional right to intrude into
such local matters as the nomination
of candidates Senator Fall, Of New
Mexico. was the only republican to
vote in favor Of limiting the bill to
elections.
President Primary Handle apped.
President Wilson's demand for legis-
lation to provide for the nomination
of presidential candidates by direct pri-
maries is causing worry to democratic
leaders in the house. Chairman Rucke1
of the committee on election of presi-
dent and vice president took his
troubles to the president yesterday.
sp-a1 ,,.i< ~ Fol
by the president. Mr.. Rucker later
called meeting Of the committee
which debated the question at length.
At the conclusion Of the session Mr..
Rucker had relapsed into his previous
state Of gloom concerning the pros
poets of early consideration Of the pro-
posed legislation.
The president hopes and desires"
Mr. Rucker said, sadly. that some leg
islation Of this character will be passed
or at least a bill introduced at this
session. But 1t isedoubtful that there
will be sufficient time. There are many
difficulties to be surmounted."
Fear State Rights Violation.
At the meeting Of the committee, the
democrats could not bring themselves
to an agreement to abandon the nom
ination Of presidential candidates. In
national convention as is desired by
the president. They said they were I'M
able to devise any primary plan which
would not violate the doctrine Of state
rights and some OF. the members OF the
committee expressed the belief that
any national primary law would violate
the constitution.
Chairman Rucker said he would draft
a DILL embodying provisions Of which
the president expressed approval. This
measure will propose4a system of state
primaries in which the choice OF candi-
dates by thev paEtMlin each common
wealth will be- made at the polls and
delegates elected to register this pref
erence in the national convention the
delegates will be instructed by the vote
in each congressional district and the
delegates at large by the vote in the,
state.
In his address to congress. President
Wilson advocated, the nomination OF
without the Intervention or
He informed Mr.. Rucker
that he would concede the retention
of the convention nominating function
If it should be limited to registering the
choice of the people.
Organize Common Counsel Club.
The Common Counsel Club. formed
here recently by men prominent in ma
tional life to bring progressive citizens
in all parts Of the country together Tor
discussion of national affairs. was
formally organized here and tenta-
tive constitution adopted. Organ1za-
ton work of local councils thruout the
country will be Immediately undertake
en-. more than 600 applications for
charters being already in hand.
S. D. Ballard. of the commission. on
Industrial relations in an address be-
fore the meeting advocated the state
svster,a of nresidential IrimarieS.