The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-09-12
SWEELEY WANTS SPECIAL
SESSION OF LEGISLATURE
Suggests Extraordinary Session For
Granting Franchise to Troops and
Considering Carey Act.

A session extraordinary of the Thir- |
teenth Idaho legislature is called for |
by NJ. j. Sweeley, successful candidate |
for the Republican nomination for at
torney general in a letter to Governor |
Moses Alexander. Mr.. Sweeley gives
the basis for the call the necessity of
legislation which will give the fran
chise to Idaho troops on the Mexican
border and the demand for legislation
to place some of the Carey act irriga-
ton projects on their feet before the
opening of the irrigation season of
1917 Mr. Sweeley's letter is as FOL
lows:
Twin Falls, Sept. Z, 1916.
Hon NJ Alexander, Governor, Boise,
Idaho.
Dear Sir: l respectfully urge that
you call at an early date an extra ses-
sion of the legislature for the purpose
of having provision made to enable
the members of the national guard
from Idaho who are doing duty on the
Mexican border and who are legal
voters within this state, to vote at the
November election.
1.-THE general election is now only
two months distant and it seems very
improbable that the men now per-
forming military duty on the border
will be permitted to return in time to
vote. They are showing their patriot
ism by serving their state and country
under arms and l believe that it is the
duty of this state to see to it that they
are not deprived of their right to vote.
During the civil war many of the
northern states passed special laws
which enabled the troops to vote in
the field and some of the states are
now taking action along the same
line. / believe that the situation fully
justifies the mourning of the necessary
expense of the holding of an extra
session and that the people of the
whole state would indorse such pro-
ceeding.
IF an extra session is called | fur
Their urge that there be submitted for
consideration and action the matters
growing out of certain of our incOm-
pleted Carey act enterprises, being
particularly those known as the Sal
mon river, the Oakley and the Idaho
Irrigation projects. In my opinion the
end of the controversies and difficult
ties in which these projects and the
parties directly interested in them are
embroiled can best and speediest come
through legislative enactment If ac-
tion is postponed until the regular
session whatever is then accomplished
will be late and on the threshold OF
another irrigating season. 1t is high
ly important that the settlers on these
projects know at the earliest possible
date what is to be depended upon sc
they can make arrangements for the
coming year The settlement of these
controversies is matter of such vita
interest not only to the settlers ant
the investors, but to the state at larg
that speedy and definite action is de
manded
From your published statements i
is well known that you are thorough.
familiar with existing conditions ant
l trust you will act favorably on thu
suggestion l have made and call al
extra session for an early date in or
der that action may be taken within
the proper time on the two subject
referred to.
yours very respectfully,
IN. ]. SWEELEY."