Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1916-01-28

fective beginning next year. In ad-
dition to extending their terms for
two more years. save in the case Of
county treasurers who are now serv-
ing their second terms, this plan
would. the argue. make less possible
interference between State politics
and Federal politics, leaving the dou-
Bile election system free to work har-
moniously. II is possible that prota-
gonists of the double election will
suggest that the state elections be
held in the spring, leaving the No
vember date for elections to Con-
gress and FOR presidential electors.
The county officers have decided
to make this reform in the election
laws the occasion of their most de-
termined 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 co4vinced Governor Williams
that he would be justified in further
lcomplicating the election law ques-
ton by injecting the longer tenure
Of office into it.
There will be an attempt also in
Connection with election law legisla-
ton to engraft the preferential pri-
nary upon the statutes. This is one
! of the matters that were referred to
I in the letter of Governor Williams
asking for opinions of legislators as
to the desirabillty Of calling this ses-
sion. Governor williams has long
been an advocate of the preferential
primary. He wants the Legislature
to consider the evils of the overcom-
ing of the minority nomination while
It is working on the other features of
the election laws
It 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 session that is called
for a special purpose. His recon-
mendation that the constitution be
amended to limit the length of spec
ial sessions to thirty days and {heir
activities to matters contained in the
proclamation conviking them, shows
that there have been sessions with
members who sought to secure sub
mission Of matters that would pro-
long or embarrass the Legislative
session.
This session was called, of course,
for the principal purpose of mending
breach in the election laws that
came from a decision of the Supreme
Court in the grandfather clause lit
ieation. All other matters are but
stage-fixing. The diligence, unan-
unity, and conference of Democrats in
the Legislature in their work on this
big question will be reflected in the
results that it may have on the Dem
oeratic party in the coming elections
THIS. though, is being impressed up
on the Democratic members by the
thinkers of the party.
While the beginning of the second
week showed nothing accomplished
if the quiet work that is being done
by the men who are laboring will
this problem shall be approved by th'
others of the party in this Legisla
ture it will be possible to enact {
Z law and get away from the capital il
thirty days, the time which the Gov
ernor deems the limit of necessit!
and, possibly, of the endurance of th'
people who are paying the bills.