Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-01-07
UP FOR RE Il
INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE
LAW AS OPERATED Is NOT
VERY POPULAR.
FAULTS ARE POINTED OUT
Legislators Will Have to Thresh Over
Manner Of EIecting Judges Again
Members If Bar Complain Il Lacks
Much of Being Satisfactory.

Des Moines.-The next general as
sembly is expected to at least review
the results of the first two years op-
Grafton of the nonpartisan judiciary
law. II the predictions of some poll
teal students are realized, 1t will
make important changes in the law.
There have been plenty of indica-
tons that the law as it operates in
Iowa is not popular The republican
party suggested its amendment or re-
peal in the following section OF its
platform:
I'VE most heartily approve Of a
nonpartisan judiciary, but believe
that the present nonpartisan judicial
primary law works an unnecessary
hardship upon qualified candidates
for judicial honors, and should be
amended or repealed"
This plank, which, while it seems
to lean kindly toward nonpartisan-
ship as general proposition in judi
ciary elections, directly repudiates
the present Iowa law, was adopted
without protest in the state conven-
ton. There were in that convention
many delegates who were members
OF the Iowa bar and close friends OF
candidates then in the field
Many judiciary candidates In the
late primary and election, particular
ly those already seated on the bench,
were outspoken in their criticism of
the law. They found in the arst
place, that the law made the condi-
tions Of entry into the primary con-
test such that large amount OF work
and considerable expenditure OF
money was necessary to secure the
necessary petitions. Robbed Of any
form Of political support, they found
that they had to build an organiza-
ton, every man for himself, practi-
cally without issues-with no other
force in their campaign, but their
own personalities. They found that
the advantage was with the men who
could make the widest circle Of
friends or who already had those as
sociations of a nonpartisan charac-
ter that could be used to forward
their interests in the judiciary cam
paign.
Plans to Shorten Ballot.
Plans for shortening the ballot by
which state, county. township and
city officers are elected in Iowa are
receiving much favorable considers
ton Statistics have been compiled
to show that in the last primary elee-
ton there were 1910 candidates for
Office in Iowa. The argument ad-
vanced strongly against the present
system is that the voter has no means
OF forming personal preference in his
choice Of any but the chief officers
and that he votes for the others
blindly. The voter II required to
select officials for at least eleven
state positions, at least eight and
sometimes ten county officials. nve
township offices, two school Offices
and from FIVE to twelve municipal po-
sitions. In the election the situation
lis practically the same for the voter
is confronted with four or Eve tick
cts. each one usually providing for
the same number of offices as did the
primary.
Recommends Reorganization.
Reorganization OF the Iowa Nation
al guard by disbanding one regiment
OF infantry and organizing one addi-
tional battery of artillery, four troops
80 L. nf an~yfnnnro
one signal corps and one ambulance
company. is recommended by Adj
Gen Guy E. Logan in his biennial re-
port filed with Governor Clarke. He
asks for a continuance of the appro-
priation of $4,000 for the support Of
the militia.
state Officials Have Taken Oath.
All Of the newly elected state Of
ficials, with the exception of the gov
ernor, have filed their bonds and
taken the oath OF office. They are
prepared to take up the duties OF the
new term. There will be no formal
ceremony when the change takes
place. John L. Bleakly, auditor Of
state, expects to remain a resident OF
Des Moines after giving up the Of
fee.
Total State Vote 1924.
With the receipt of unofficial re-
turns of the election from Palo Alto
county the data in the office Of sec
rotary OF state is complete for the
publication OF statistics on the cleo
ton Nov. 8, 1914, in the Red Book.
The reports show that the total vote
on governor was 1924, and that the
prohibitionist party again failed to
have 2 per cent of the total vote. and
can not participate in the next pri-
mary.
Lake Will Be Drained.
One thousand acres of land will be
reclaimed through the action OF the
state executive council in ordering
that Rush lake, in Palo Alto county,
be drained The order eliminates a
long contest between farmers in the
vicinity of the lake and hunters who
wished the body of water preserved.
Many delegations have appeared at
the state house fer and against drain
age. The council sent representa-
tive to the county who recommends