South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-17

INDIANAPOLIS Feb. Il. The
Rinear-Jones primary election bill
was the subject of consideration in
both houses of the legislature today.
In the house final action was not
taken, the measure being advanced to
third reading. and the bill being or
dered printed. In the senate, noon
adjournment interrupted a spirited de-
bate on the measure. The senator
resumed consideration Of the bill
when the afternoon session started at
, p. IN.
Rep. Jones, father of the measure
opened the debate in the house, ex-
planning the bill completely.
Following Jones address, Rep. Nib
lack. who also favors the bill, moved
to advance it.
Sen. Rinear led the fight for the bill
in the senate. The committee report,
unfavOra bic to the measure was pre-
sented by Sen. Van Auken who eX-
planned that the committee would
favor a bill to refer the primary prop
ositiOn to the voters at the next cleo
ton. Sen. Rinear asked that the re-
port of the committee be not con-
Cured in.
Il want to go back home to the
people who sent me here and tell
them 1 voted for this bill" he said.
Il don't want to go back on my prom
ise, and l will not concede that my
party go back on her promise. You
can protest against this bill, but you
cannot throttle the Will of the peo-
pie
Says Voters Demand Law.
Sen. BallOu supported Rinear's ar
gument, declaring there were $780,
600 voters now waiting for the demo-
Gratis to stand by their platform"
The other senators who spoke in favor
ID
meIs, Humphreys, CulbertsOn and
Thornton. The latter said he favored
it for selfish reasons. Those who
spoke against the bill were Van
Auken, Hazen, Chambers, Jackson
and Eikman.
In the house today the expected ap-
portionment bill was presented by
Rep Benz. The measure seeks to
change the legislative districts to
favor the democratic party, and it af
fects practically every county in the
slater.
Kern Sends Message.
Just before the senate committee
on elections handed down an unfa-
vorable report on the primary cleo
tion bill, a pointed telegram on the
subject Of primary legislation was re-
ceived today by State Sen. Ballou
from United States Sen. John w. Kern,
The message follows.
Washington, D. c., Feb. Il.
Hon. .. l.. BallOu,
State Senate, Indianapolis.
impossible for me to leave
here | hope the democratic
legislative viii enact q primary
law. Indiana'S splendid demo-
cratic governor recommends II.
The greatest president since JEFF
ferson urges it. Bryan, the best
loved American democrat advises
il Two democrats state con-
ventions have pledged the honor
OF the party that it shall be
passed. Is it possible that the
Will of quarter Of a million dem
ocrats shall be thwarteC by a few
men? That is the supreme issue
and il Is vastly more important
than any one piece Of legislation.
(Signed) JOHN w KERN
Sen. Ballou planned TO get the tel
egram into the senate records along
with the committees report against
the primary bill
House Favors Suffrage
In the house today a unanimous
committee report favorable TO the
limited suffrage bin introduced by
Rep Rule was presented Ii was
understood that the house majority
would hasten the passage Of the bill
and put il mp 10 the senate. Ii was
believed certain that the measure
could not get through the upper body,
\ favorable report was made today
by the house committee on railroads
on the Waltz hill granting an increase
IN railroad passenger rates - two
and One-half cents mile.