The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-12-10
GOVERNOR WILL
PROPOSE CHANGE
IN PRIMARY Law
Nonpartisan Commission to
Draft Bill for Submission to
Next Legislature.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Dec. 10.-Gov-
ernor Goodrich decided Monday to ap-
point a nonpartisan commission OF
Democratic and Republican leaders TO
draft new primary election law
measure to be submitted to the COM
ing legislature and to make changes
in the absent voters measure which
was adopted two years ago. The COM
mission may consider the registration
law, to which much objection was
raised this year. 1t is reported that
bills will be presented asking for the
repeal Of the registration law and that
a resolution for an amendment to the
constitution permitting the adoption
OF a registration system for the lar
ger counties only will be introduced.
Governor Goodrich said he had sug.
gested to Chairman Fred Van Nuys OF
the Democratic state committee and to
Secretary l.. W. Henley Of the Repub-
lican organization the appointment OF
a nonpartisan commission to consider
changes In the primary election and
absent voters laws. He declared that
Chairman Van Mugs expressed himself
In accord with the program and was
DESTROYS OF cooperating with the Re-
publicans in the matter. The same at
titude was taken by Secretary Henley.
The governor will appoint men to the
committee suggested by the two state
organizations.
Every District Represented.
II Is likely that prominent Republi-
can and Democratic party workers
from every district will be called into
council with the commission in order
to provide it with concensus of opin-
ion as to what should be done. The
governor believes that the question is
entirely nonpartisan and that if the
representatives Of the two parties on
the commission agree their plan will
be Endorsed by the legislature
In general way it has been pro-
posed that the statewide feature of
the primary law shall be abolished;
that the tickets shall be nominated by
delegate conventions, the delegates
being chosen by primary and that in
counties where one part Is much
stronger than its rival, the latter may
OF Its own option. nominate by con-
vention. The Democrats appointed a
. committee recently to propose amend
ments to the primary election law
First Platform Bill Drawn.
The first of the Republican platform
measures was completed at the head
quarters at the Hotel SEVERN Monday
afternoon. 1t is the one under which
the departments OF the state geologist,
FISH and game commissioner, state
veterinarian, forester and entomolo-
gist are to be combined The bill
was prepared by Representative Dav-
i'd A. Rothrock of Bloomington and
Senator Aaron Wolfson of Indianapo-
lis
II provides for the appointment OF a
board OF conservation commissioners
of four members. two Republicans and
two Democrats. who shall serve for
four years under appointment by the
governor. The general work of the
board will be directed by an executive
secretary who shall receive not to
exceed $4,000 year. The heads of
the various departments will be ap-
pointed by the board with the approx
al OF the governor. Their salary will
be fixed by the board.
The bill. which is long one. sets
forth the duties of the various depart
ments. The law would become effec-
tive after the legislature. All of the
departments except that of state geol.
ogis are now appointive Governor
Goodrich suggested the combination
Of these departments two years ago.