South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-01
ALL LIKE FINDING
ON PRIMARY LAW
Parties Rejoice That Section
on Ticket Fees is Held
Unconstitutional.
Special to The News-Times.

Spec1al TO Inc NeWS-I1mes.
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 1. Demo-
Gratis and republicans alike in Indiana
are pleased today over a decision in
the Floyd circuit court by which the
section OF the new statewide primary
law. which compelled candidates for
practically all Offices to pay sums to
the state treasury for placing their
names on party tickets. was declared
unconstitutional.
Although attaches OF the Office OF
Richard NJ. Mnburn, attorney-seneral.
said today that the state officer would
continue the fight for that particular
section as well as others, rejoicing
was untrammeled here over the de-
cision OF the lower court for It was
argued that at least a precedent had
been set against the section which has
caused so much controversy and so
much criticism Of the party
Very Little Weeping.
The effect or that section on the
coming campaigns in Indiana will be
mofnentous. If IL is allowed to stand
as constitutional Democrats, repub-
leans and progressives unite in de-
claring that IL makes against the free
exercise OF citizenship and while SEN
timent seems strongly in favor Of pre-
be very little weeping if that section
finally is wiped out Primaries cost
candidates thousands where the for
mer system Of nominations cost per-
haps only dollars and that has been
one OF the chiefest Of the criticisms
of the primary the country over. The
obnoxious section in the Indiana law
merely added 10 the antagonism
against the primary, il has been ar
gued for months here-sO everybody
seems TO be glad that this section is
likely to be removed from the law.
There is a growing suspicion here
that leaders Of the democratic party
knows more about the suit, brought
by Charles ID. Kelso Of New Albany.
TO test the primary law than they like
10 admit And some say that the suit
was brought with the idea in view
that the law might be purged of this
obnoxious section, while the remain
der was being left intact. If the
Floyd courts decision is upheld in
the higher court, the effect on county
and state tickets Of all parties will
be great. Plentiful candidates for all
parties. except perhaps the progress
ives. viii be the rule, instead of other
wise.
VIII Appeal Case.
It IS rumored that both sides TO
the New Albany primary case will
appeal the case. IL IS the idea of
democrats and republicans alike here
to get final construction on the val
idity of the new law from the supreme
court. Candidates., particularly those
for smaller offices, probably will be
held in allegiance until the final inter-
probation OF the law is made by the
states highest court.
The candidacy Of James T.. Watson
OF Rushville, for the United States
senate, continues to attract much at
tention in republican circles. out in
the counties, where the full meaning
OF the Watson candidacy. with its re-
actiOnism, is becoming realized, those,
who plan TO grab off goodly portions
of the county pork barrels in the next
campaign are getting hot under the
collars, 1T IS being reported here. They
say that the antipathies TO Watson
and his candidacy are becoming so
marked that in many counties Wat
son as the head of the republican
ticket would mean defeat for the en-
tire county tickets.
They also are protesting against the
alleged combination of Watson and
Warren T. McCray Of Kentland and
the furtherance OF this combination
by high officers of the Columbia club,
supposedly an organization = which
taxes no part III llOlllAAloNAAAS NtiiAi
paigns. but reserves its ammunition
until the republican ticket has been
nominated.
These critics OF the Watson boom
say they see evidences on every hand
that the Columbia club is being used
10 further the Watson candidacy.
Many OF these critics are followers
Of James p. Goodrich. who is perhaps
The leading candidate for governor on
the republican ticket just now They
say they realize that Goodrich could
not hope to be elected. even If nomi-
mated, If the Watson forces dOminat-
cd the campaign. These critics are
writing 10 Indianapolis to say that
they believe WatsOn's tried and trus
republicanism Will eventually triumph
over his desire for personal elevation
and that he Will withdraw his candi-
dacy before wreCking-as they see il
the party's chances in the coming
campaign.
Talk Is GrOundleSS
There has been some talk also of a
combination between Watson and the
forces supporting Charles Warren
Fairbanks for the republican nOmi-
nation for the presidency This talk
is now declared TO be groundless. as
is talk that points exactly the other
way. tt has been rumOred that Wat
son and his followers were prepared
20 fight Fairbanks and his boom, be-