The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-11-20
ELECTION LAW.
VOTE MAY BE
IN MARCH, "a
Governor Tells l. v. A. Con-
ference in Fargo He Has
Not Decided on Time
LAWS ARE DISCUSSED
Theodore G.. Nelson Submits
Resignation as Chairman
Of Committee
LAWS ARE DISCUSSED

he had not decided when he would
call an election on the election laws
passed by the last general assembly
upon WHICH referendum has been
pctitioned but that he was mindful
of the fact that the legislature in
tended them to be submitted at the
first statewide election after their
adoption, Governor r. A. Nestos ad
vised the central committee Of the
Independent Voters Association Ito
prepare Immediately for contingen-
cies."
The Governors statement was
made shortly before the committee
recess at noon today, following q
round table discussion Of the atti-
tude on the election laws. He de-
clared that he would call an election
either at the presidential preferenc
primary in March or. ut the general
election in November. He said it
was quite plain that the legislature
intended the laws to be referred at
the first election but that the 1000
signers of the petition had asked
for vote in November. The only
question in his mind, he said, was
whether the voice of the 1000 sign
ers or the voice of the legislature
was to be needed.
When informed it was the concen-
sus of the committeeman present
that preparation for campaign on
election laws was the paramount
question at this time, Governor. Mes
tos replied: THAT is why suggest
that you make preparations on the
|suppesition that will call an eiec-
tion in March at the presidential
primaries"
The only other important matters
considered during the morning were
statement presented by Theodore
G. Nelson, regarding the activities
of the organization and renewal of
his request.
Committeeman devoted nearly the
entire morning session to discus
sion Of the election laws. Each man
reported on the opinion of his dis
trict, each being of the opinion that
the election laws could carry. All
speakers declared that the Nonpar-
tisan League is preparing for vi
gorous fight against the election
laws. The committeeman were OF
the opinion that the election should
be held in March.
Fargo, N. D., Nov. 20.-Theodore
G. Nelson, chairman of the Inde-
pendent Voters Association state
executive committee, today presented
his resignation to the state commit
tee in session here, effective today.
In statement Mr.. Nelson said that
he desired Ito help all / can in the
work, that. is ahead" and II must,
however, decline to carry the respon-
sibility that rests upon the chair
man of this organization any long
er."
In his statement he outlined sew
eral proposals for future political
action in the state. He declared fire.
qucnt elections add to hard times in
North Dakota, and urged that terms
of state officials and congressman
be changed to three years and that
of President to six years, with re-
election prohibited, and all primary
election work handled in one instead
of two primary elections, a half MIL
lion dollars would be saved each
year.
He urged that the various political
organizations settle their internal
questions without resorting to pri-
maries, and that the primary system
be changed or abolished.
Fewer legislative sessions also
were proposed. He suggested two
sessions of the Legislature in six
years, to save $250,000 for each ses-
sion eliminated.
!, Taxes should be reduced mater
tally, he said, and the state mill and
elevator given fair trial.
He urged a house cleaning of the
state educational system. so as to
make its activity consistent with the
AuuuoMCus0A PAA"SiPiS0 uPVu ""S''
has been built the nation.
He praised the l. v. A. election
laws, the record of the Nestos ad-
ministration and questioned the eff
cacy of "fifty-fifty" bills under
which the Federal government pays
half the expense of an undertaking
if the state pays half.
He said that "'by failing to include
in their referendum, the law that re-
pealed the old law prescribing what
the form Of ballot shall be, the
state will, if the referred laws are
not approved, be without any law for
carrying out its constitutional man.
date requiring uniform ballot over
the entire state"
He pointed out to the executive
committee that it is it's duty to ar
range for statewide nominating
convention between January I and
May J..
II ID estimated tnat there ars
100000 strangers in New York every
day.