The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-12-17

ton law. TO make it less erroneous to GER
tain communities in the state where the
populations are largely stationary, was
discussed.
Some changes may be made IN the alb
sent voters law. 1t was said Judge
Philip C. Gould. of Evansville, republic
an. was elected chairman of the COM
nittee at the meeting Monday, and Wal
ter s. Chambers. Newcastle. democrat.
was selected secretary. L. w. Henley.
secretary OF the republican state COM
mite in Indiana, called the meeting TO
order. Fred Van Mays. democratic state
chairman. attended the meeting and
spoke out unqusliledly for return to the
old convention system of nominations.
giving as his reasons that IT Is far easier
to select good candidates in both parties
by elaboration of representatives of the
people than by the direct primary sys-
TEN. Some opposition TO repeating the
primary law would be expected in in
stances where county officers were ef-
1ected. II was pointed out in the discus
sion and 1t was pointed out that CON
gressmen. now in office, desired the pri-
mary law left as it is IN order to per
petuate themselves in office.
Robe Carl White OF Muncie and John
c. Killigrsw. OF Hobart. who repres ented
Miles Norton of Lake county. were the
Republicans. who attended the confer
ence with Secretary Henley. Chairman
Van Mugs had named two other Demo-
Gratis. to take the places of two who
originally had been named. but were I'M
able to sit on the commission, and the
Democrats who attended the conference
as members Of the commission were
Chairman Van Nuys. Walter s. Cham
bers. of Newcastle, Pohn Rynearson. of
Columbus. and Charles A. Huck. of
Shelbyville.
Chairman Van Nuys pointed to Marion
county as an example OF political
manipulation Of the primary that had
caused him to change from an ardent
supporter Of tho statewide primary law
in 1915 to a condition In which he now
believes 1t is a dead failure" He said
that IL is much harder to obtain good
men for ths tickets Of ell parties in
counties such as Marion under the pri-
mary system and he said he is for a re-
turn to the old representative system.
under which delegates are chosen as
representatives OF tho PEOPLE TO pick
tickets It also was brought out that
opposition exists 10 the present primary
system on the ground that only rich
men can run for office" Senator Cham
bers pointed out that small groups OF
men IN both parties now hold caucuses
and choose tickets for the primary cleo
tons. but that there .e nothing TO keep
undesirable candidates from appearing
on primary tickets. Judge Gould said
he felt some opposition would be felt
from public sentiment in many places II
attempts were made to abolish the pri-
mary as ii Affects county officers. The
practice. under the existing primary. Of
minority parties going into tho booths
Of the majority party and helping TO
select the candidates they desire on the
opposition ticket. and vice versa, also
was commented on at the conference.
Charles marlborough OF the bureau
Of legislative information. will compile
data on election law subjects for the
commission. which will be available
prior 70 the statewide meeting here De-
cember -. In some cuntfes preliminary
public sentiment" meetigs may be ar
ranged prior to the statewide meeting
in order to obtain expressions as to de-
sIres Of the people of the state for
changes in the election laws