South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-11-23
ny JOIN >. CARSON.

Just six weeks from today the var
ious statesmen OF the rival political
parties who aspire % the presidency
OF the United States must make
known their intentions. II they de-
sire TO compete for the ten dele
gates 10 their respective national
conventions from south Dakota.
This probably will be news 20
most n not ell. or the candidates
themselves. but the fact is that un-
der the South Dakota presidential
preferential primary law candidates
who desire 10 participate i'm the
primary IN that state must hle their
petitions not later than the first day
OF the new year.
While the South Dakota primary
which is fixed by law for March -
IS the third that Will be hcld~in the
coming year the last day for filing
petitions there is earlier than in any
other state
The South Dakota law also 81 uni
cue IN that it requires candidates 70
file personal declaration OF prin-
ciples and a statement defining the
issue" OF the campaign in not more
than eight words. IL is also pro-
vIded IN the South Dakota law that
candidates for the presidency who
seek the states endorsement I'm the
primary must engage in ar least one
public debate ia the state. either I'm
person or by designated representa-
tive.
No Preferential Date.
Many students of politics had ex-
pected that 1920 might witness a
general presidential preferential pri-
mary race but this has been pre-
vented by constitutional limitations
which precluded the passage by con-
gress of q law applicable 90 the
whole country when efforts 10
frame such national legislation were
made prior 10 the war il was dis
covered that "a law fixing q common
primary date would DE impossible
without the consent OF all the state
legislatures
Agreement by the as states upon
p common primary date was not
considered practicable without the
submission OF an amendment 10 the
federal constitution which, many be-
leve. would encroach upon the
rights Of the states 10 enact their
own election laws.
While for this reason no presi-
Dental primary legislation has been
proposed in congress-, some p OF
the states have, in one form or
another. made provision for choos-
ing candidates for presidential no
limitations i'm "a popular manner. The
ma jOrity of the states however. still
adhere 10 the Old state convention
system of selecting delegates TO the
national conventions
AS the dates of these conventions
IN 26 Of the states are yet 10 be
liked by the state political commit
ices of the respective parties they
DO not figure In the public interest
at this time. Only I'm wyoming is
The convention date fixed by law. In
hose states where primary dates are
dxed by law. however. and in partic- [
Ilar where, by enforced petition or
otherwise, presidential aspirants are
required openly 10 declare their in |
,entons, the interest will be great
New Hampshire is First
The first state presidential primary |
Will be held IN New Hampshire on !
March next. Although there is no [
direct vote for presidential candi- I
dates IN that state i'm the primary. /
delegates may file statements of pre- /
ference, if they so desire.
The first really direct vote for
presidential candidates viii occur i'm /
North Dakota when the primary is
held i'm that state ON March is. !
There candidates may have their /
names placed on the primary ballot /
through petition of not less than 500 I
voters OF their party March 1 is !
the last day upon which these petit /
lions may be filed. The next pri-
mary date is that of South Dakota .
heretofore referred to.
ON April 8 the Michigan primary T
viii be held. At least 100 qualified /
toters Of the state must sign a can /
aidates petition before n o'clock I,
noon on March 1 in order that the I
candidate may participate i'm the /.
primary. DeIegates 10 the national 1
convention are not selected az this (
primary I'm Michigan but at a state /
convention
The following day, April 6. New /
York and Wisconsin hold presiden- I
tial preference primaries. Delegates /
are selected at the primary i'm New
York but no preference is indicated .
On the primary ballot I'm Wisconsin.
however. at least on percent of the .
party electors I'm at least six cour-
ties, (riOt less than one percent nor .
more than 10 percent of the total /
vote in the state) must file petition /
for the presidential candidate not ,
later than March 6. The delegates .
are chosen in the primary and can /
didatss for delegate may file a state /
ment OF principles or presidential \
choice. in not exceeding i've words.
which viii be printed on the ballet. i
Illinois Acts i'm MAY.
The Illinois primary comes next.
on April Is. at which delegates from
congressional districts 20 the nation
al convention viii be selected. Dele I
gates at large from the entire state
Of Illinois are named IN "a state con-
vention held on May 10, when the F.
preference indicated in the proceed J.
Ing presidential primary lis supposed .