Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-29
CONGRESSMAN 3 AND SENATOR
URGE IOWA LEGISLATURE TO
RETAIN LAW.
STATUTE ADOPTED TO GET
AWAY FROM >soss RULE
Hausen Says Opposition Now Is Re-
Election on Intelligence Of Iowa Voter
-cummins Suggests Notifications
Might Be Made With Benefit-lowa
News From Washington. l
Special to Times-Republican.

Washington. Jan. 29.-Overthrow OF
the primary law in Iowa would be a
long and disastrous step backward,
in the view of Congressman Haugen,
expressed In letter to Byron w. New
berry. member Of the legislature from
Clayton county, today.
Congressman Haugen took hand IN
the controversy over the primary law,
brought TO the front by the opposing
views in the Clarke and Harding mes
sages, after receiving from Mr. New
berry copies OF bills which propose to
amend the primary law.
Worth county, in Mr.. Haugen's dis
trict, was the first to adopt the prl-
mary election system in Iowa. During
the thirty years of It's operation there.
Mr.. Haugen said, but one person has
expressed to him desire to go back
to the old system.
1.-THE primary law was adopted
Congressman Haugen's letter said, ito
get away from boss rule, op the DOM
ination of politics by one or a few men,
and factional fights, which resulted IN
quarrels. split in party ranks and otner
difficulties, defeating republican noml-
.nees, notwithstanding that our county
was more than four to one republf-
can.
IN the sts1s the primary law has
been in operation for number OF
years. It's enactment was forward
movement and a much needed reform.
backed by practically all the advocates
of real representative form of gov
eminent. It's aim was to make nomi-
nations BY the voter possible instead
of by professional politicians, many OF
whom were employed by. or furnished
with transportation, and expenses D!
interests not actuated by the best mo-
tives in the promotion of our state and
national welfare.
Reflection on Iowa Voter.
Opposition to the primary now, MI
Haugen says. is a reflection cast upon
the intelligence of the Iowa Voter. II
the voter is capable of making choice
in November, the congressman holds'
he is capable of doing so in June.
81 believe all are agreed the letter
continues. that in general candidates
nominated under the primary system
have been of as high class and more
subservient to the will and best inter-
est Of our people as those that Wouio
have been made under convention sys-
TEN. controlled largely. judging from
the past, by professional politicians
AS to the expenses Mr.. Haugen be-
lieves it would cost as much to make
nominations BY township primaries
county. district and State conventions
as 1t would by. direct primaries
If the unnecessary EXPENSE OF sep
arate presidential primary is objected
to, he would change this by having al!
nominations made at one primary. MT
Haugen objects to the proposal to
have the primary in August as that
would operate against the farmers and
turn the election over to the people OF
cities and towns. He fayors the month
of June, but if another month is ia
yo.ed he would have date in some
month prior to the farmers spring
work.
+ In conclusion Mr.. Haugen said:
IF perversion and degradation OF
representative form OF government II
Contemplated, the lesser degree OF
course is the better. With Iowa's
splendid record in progressive legisla-
ton conducive to the best interest OF
our grand and glorious state and citi-
kenship, / can not believe that it will
now take the long ard disastrous step
backward suggested by some which is
certain to result in discontentment and
destructiongof our states best governs
ment and interest
cummins Wants Law Retained.
sena tor B. .Cnmmins. father Of
the Iowa primary law, is opposed to
the repealed the primary law as ad-
yocated il the message read by Gov
ernor &c lafke to the Iowa general as
sembly.
He declares that she can "imagine
nothing nfnEe disastrous in the politi-
cal world than for Iowa to lead of in
the restoration OF the caucus and con-
vention system.
Il know that the primary has not
always worked out. to the satisfaction
Of its friends and wesIwill never be
able to devise any plan that viii In
every instance produce the best re-
suits. 4 l,s9 s ss.s s.5.
accompanying the primary however,
with the old plan, It has been a brill
liant success. not only. in Iowa, but
everywhere else. Unquestionably it is
susceptible OF amendment.
Il have serious doubts about the
presidential preference primary, altho
I think there will be occasions now
and then in which It is essential.
Would II NOT be possible to amend it
30 that III cbuld be called into use upon
petition?
II have not thought out the situa :
ton carefully, but my general idea Is
that there Will be some years in which
1t would be burdensome and wholly
futile to hold such a primary, but there
will be other situations in which 1t
would be very beneficial to take the
sentiment of the voters in, that way.
Il have had little opportunity to
reach conclusion with regard to the