The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-26

and county election in presidential
years and TO make this reform effect
to extending their terms for two more
years, save in the case of county
treasurers who are now serving their
second terms, this plan would, they
argue, make less possible interference
between state politics and federal
politics, leaving the double election
system free to work harmoniously.
1t is possible that protagonists of
the double election will suggest that
protagonists of the double election will
suggest that the state elections be
held in the spring, leaving the No
yember date for elections to congress
and for presidential electors.
The county officers have decided
to make this reform in the election
laws the occasion of their most deter
mined effort to secure four-year terms
of office and to get entirely away
from any danger of defeat for the
democratic ticket in the east side
counties, where socialists and negroes
are numerous, by seeking to have
separate sets of qualifications for the
separate elections. They have not yet
convinced Governor Williams that
he would be justified in further COM
plicating the election law question by
injecting the longer tenure of office
into it.
There will be an attempt also in
connection with election law legisla-
tion to engraft the preferential pri-
mary upon the statutes. This os one of
the matters that We're referred to in
the letter of Governor Williams ask
ing for opinions of legislators as to
the desirability of calling this ses-
sion. Governor Williams has long
been an advocate of the preferential
primary. He wants the Legislature to.
consider overcoming the evils of the
minority nomination while it is work
ing on other features of the election
laws.
1t is patent that the first week of
this session brought to the governor
realization that there is need for
some safeguard against the pressure
that is always brought to bear on
the executive to submit many matters
and prolong the length of specialli
and prOlong the session that is called
for a special purpose. His recon-
mendaton that the constitution be
amended to limit the length of spec
ial sessions to thirty days and their
activities to matters contained in the
proclamation cOnvoking them shows
that there have been sessions with
members who sought to secure sub
mission of matters that would prolong
or embarrass the legislature session.
This session was called. of course,
for the principal purpose of mending
breach in the election laws that
came from the decision of the SUI
preme court in the grandfather clause
litigation. All other matters are but
stage-hXing. The diligenue, unanimity,
and conference of democrats in the
legislature in their work on this big
question will be reflected by the re-
suits that it may have on the demo-
cratic party in coming elections This,
though, is being impressed upon the
democratic members by the thinkers
of the party.
While the beginning of the second
week shows nothing accomplished, if
the quiet work that is being done by
the men who are laboring with this
problem shall be approved by the 9th
ers of the party in this legislature,
it will be possible to enact law and
get away from the capital within the
thirty days that the governor deems
the limit of necessity and, possibly,
of the endurance of the people, who
are paying the bills.