The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-01-27
GOVERNOR BYRNE NOW
SENDING LETTERS TO
; DAKOTA LEGISLATORS
Asks Their Advice About Call
ing Extra Session to Fix
New Date For Primary.

VI the legislature OF the state Ol oOubh
Dakota to secure their views In regard
to the ACCESSIBILITY Of a special session
OF the legislature for the purpose OF
amending the present primary law so
as to secure an earlier general primary
date:
My Dear Sir: As you know. the law
provides that the primary election for the
nomination OF all candidates for office
shall be held on the first Tuesday In June.
which this year falls on the 9Th. The law
further provides:
In case the national political con-
ventton Of any political party
has been called to meet at date
too early to allow delegates to the
same from this state TO be elected
at the June primary, a primary for
the election OF said delegates shall
be held on the first Tuesday In
9nder the provision above quoted. the
delegates to the national conventions OF
all parties shall be elected at the April
or of only Which 81 been pSaed te
meet at a date too early to allow dele
gates to the same from this state to be
elected at the June primary" Person
Intention Of the legislature to provide that
II circumstances made an April delegate
primary necessary. all delegates to all ma
IiOtldi conventions SnOuIQ De elected AT
such April delegate primary.
The national convention OF one Of the
parties has been called to meet on the TIN
OF June. the day after the date Of our
gates can not be elected at a primary held
on Tuesday, the result OF the primary
ascertained and their election reported IN
time that they may be seated In the con:
vention on wednesday. unless II should
happen that oEly one set OF candidates for
delegates would be before the primary.
and we can have no assurance that such
It is suggested that the chairman Of the
state committee can telegraph TO the ma
tional committee the names OF the list OF
d dtls selected, and that upon the
named may be seated: but. clearly. In a
contested primary election Il would be Inn
possible for the chairman to know with
to the national committee or convention in
time to allow the seating of the dele
gates
It Is apparent then. that there is present
the emergency contemplated by the law I'm
the provision for holding a primary In
April for the election OF Delegates. If the
terms OF the law providing for the April
primary were plain, decisive. and without
conflict, the way would seem clear. but
such seems not to be the case.
First there is provision for any one to
determine whether or not the April pri-
mary shall be held-that Is, to determine
when the emergency calling for such pri-
mary is present-and no way to make sure
that such primary would be held in all the
counties alike.
Again. in regard to enrolment or regis
tr alto The The law provides that:
10 Vote az any primary election
vided. :" Us ''e' S''' -
At the same time. It gives the elector
until the about the middle OF May follow
Ing TO complete his registration. What,
then. would be the status of the voter,
who, not being registered, would. on the
9Th day OF April offer to vote? The law
YOU are NOT not H vote f SseaSSe
swer: Eyes, but the law gives me six
weeks yet in which to complete my regis
tration; have not failed to comply with
status? do not know.
Again. the law makes It the duty of the
chairman and secretary Of the state CEN
the vote for, and issue credentials to. dele.
gates to all national conventions. The at
torney general holds that with the repeal
OF the former primary law these commit
tees have lost their legal existence-that
there are neither members or officers of
such committees. We may overlook this
as far as party matters are considered
organizations Of their respective parties
with authority to act In all purely party
matters, but their authority or power to
perform legal acts under the statute
SO We find there are conflicting and I'M
certain provisions which render the hold
ing OF an April primary at least doubtful
Many citizens of the state, Including
some senator's and representatives, have
suggested special session Of the legisla-
ture for the purpose of adjusting these
regular primary early enough to permit
delegates to all national conventions to be
elected thereat. / have been giving this
recommendation careful consideration and
N clr ah -.
the legislature for advice and a state
ment OF his Views. The constitution pro-
v1des that the governor "shaIi have power
to convene the legislature on extTaordin-
airy, occasions" implicitly only to meet
such extraordinary occasion. This Is the
only authority for calling a special SEES
sion. and l do not consider that have
authority to call a special session TO take
up general legislative matter indiscrim-
inateIy. but feel that If the legislature Is
convened for the express purpose of
amending the primary law so as TO recon-
Gle Its provisions and provide for elect
Ing all delegates and officers at the same
primary, action should be confined to that
matter alone. Thus but a few days seS-
sion would be necessary and the expense
incurred relatively small.
Accordingly. I respectfully ask you to
Kndly let me know, at your earliest con-
First: whether. under the circumstances,
you think a special session OF the legisla-
ture advisable?
primary law so as to fix the date for the
regular primary election early enough
that delegates TO all party national con-
ventions may be elected at such regular
Third, whether II an extraordinary ses-
sion IL called you will attend and partici-
pate In Its proceedings.
Finally, will be glad to have you make
suggestions on any phase OF the question
that occurs TO you. ! want your advice
frankly.
am writing this identical letter to each
member Of the Legislature Sincerely
yours,
Frank NJ. Byrne. Governor.
.
MADISON--At the annual business
meeting of the stockholders of the Lake
County Agricultural society II was decided
to hold this years fair of the society on
September 6, and s. The following OFF,
GERS were elected for the coming year:
President. d. VI. Finnie: vice president,
John Fl. Groce: secretary, A. q. Schmidt:
treasurer, Jesse Mackay.
LITTLE GIRLS TONGUE is
FROZEN TO IRON POST
Chamberlain, S. D., Jan. 2i.-The g.