Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-06-16

law Ol ~ unCOnSClCu-
tional. This decision will
throw out state central
committees of the politi-
cal parties and all county central
committees. and reinstate the old
committees elected under the old pri-
mary law, now revived.
II dislodgcs the Thompson faction
in Chicago and returns to power the
DencCn Brundage forces. Elsewhere
in the state il upsets plans for spe-
cial elections and conventions called,
Governor Lowden had called two
special elections, one on July 27 for
the Fifteenth judicial district to elect
a successor to Circuit Judges Farrand
and Eaton and another in the Elev-
enth district to supply vacancy on
the bench.
Kills Convention Nominations.
Whether the election calls stand or
whether a delay is possible until new
means Of naming candidates is pro-
vided, has not been decided by the
attorney general. In the 1lth district
a convention held two weeks ago NOM
mated Edward Barry. republican.
who was unopposcd by the democrats.
The nth district, including Ogle and
Lee counties, planned to hold their
convention tomorrow.
All Offices created by the new act
are declared vacant and all cOnven-
ton proceedings such as those held
to nominate appellate clerks on May
10, and all else done under 1t are
held without effect. Only elections
actually held are exempted from the
multiplying effect of the courts decis-
ion.
Hits at Chicago Rule.
In the opinion from the bench, by
Judge Cartwright, the act was held
unconstitutional because of both the
sections applying to Cook county and
also that applying to downstate. The
provisions applying to Cook county
give arbitrary power to divide the
territory outside Chicago. without re-
gard to population. Such arbitrary
power conferred with no regulation
concerning size, population and num-
Der of voters, and without any rule
for the exercise of the power under
that provision affords much opportun-
ity for inequality.
Affects Johnson's Nomination.
The decision invalidates the cor
vetnion which nominated Justice l..
Johnson for appellate clerk on the re-
publican ticket, in the second appel
late district (Ottawa). Johnson de-
featcd A r, Snow, of Ottawa, by one
note in the convention. and now
probably will be compelled to face a
contest against the OttaWan in one Of
the "old fashioned primaries" in
event Mr. Snow decides 10 re-enter
the race in a popular election battle.
Commenting on the courts deci-
sion, Attorney General Brundage. who
had previously held the same opinion.
said
The primary act of 1919 being in
valid and the repeating clause thereof
imperative, it follows the primary
act of 1910, as subsequently amended,
is in force and that all committeeman
ana committees elected thereunder
prior to 1920, continue to serve until
tl,u successors arc chosen"
Reverse OMEN Case.
Springfield, ILL.,, June IS Especially
Ihc supreme Court today handed
down an opinion reversing the iudg
mrut of the SanEamOn County Court
which dismissed the appeal of the ap-
peliauts from decision Of the state
public utilities commission refusing to
order the Maraeilles Land and Water
Power company to furnish water to
Timothy l.. ONei at lower rate
81 L, l..