Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-04-14

ASK REVISION
ELECTIONLAW
R. B. Creager Points Out In
consistencies Present Law
in Telegram to Governor
Neff Today

Justice TO the republican voters Of
the state Of Texas makes revision OF
the election laws Imperative" was the
statement made today by r. B. Creager.
chairman Of the republican, state execu-
tive committee.
Under the construction placed upon
the present law by the attorney gener-
al and secretary Of state the republican
party must nominate its candidate for
United States senator BY the direct pri-
mary method. whereas IL may nominate
all other candidates in a party conven-
tion, and in telegram to Governor Neff
today, calling attention TO these incon-
sistencies in the present law, and re-
questing that he submit an amendment
at the special session remedying them,
Chairman CreaGer stated:
"You will recall that under the con-
struction placed thereon by the Attorn-
ney General and Secretary or State the
present law was held to require the NOM
ination by primary election of fts can
didate for United States Senate by any
political party casting in the preceding
election more than ten thousand and
less than one hundred thousand votes.
This construction prevents the nomina-
tion by such political party OF its can
ddate for the senate by the convention
method although candidates for all
other offices may be so nominated.
you will recall that last year the re-
publican party in this state nominated
a candidate for the United States Sem
ate at delegated State Convention In
the same manner and under the same
construction Of the present Law that had
been followed in the last two preceding
general elections. Although the name Of
the Republican candidate had at these
two preceding elections been certified
by the secretary of state and printed
upon the official ballots. its candidate
last year was nominated in identically
the same manner, was under the con-
struction above referred to denied .
place upon the official ballot.
"You viii recall the litigation, hard
feeling and unpleasant notoriety for
our state which followed.
"All fair minded citizens conceds
that the present law under the construc-
tion in force is unreasonable and un-
just and that political parties OF the
class referred to should be permitted to
nominate all their candidates including
United States Senator by either the
convention or primary election system.
"On behalf OF the Republican party Of
this state I respectfully, but most ear
ncstly request that you submit to the
approaching special session Of the legis-
lature the matter Of an amendment TO
or change In the present law specifical-
ly authorizing and permitting such
nominations.
r. b. Crcager,
Chairman Republican State Executive
Committee
Republicans In all parts of the United
States have characterized the present
election law Of Texas as u violation Of
all rules Of fairness and justice. They
contend that the law should be SO
amended that the republicans OF the
state either be permitted to nominate
all candidates. including United States
senator. at n party primary, or that il
require the nomination Of all candidates
by the direct primary method.
A bill revising the law was introduced
at the regular session but was permitted
to die on the calendar, and unless the
governor takes action in re-submitting
II. or submitting another form OF amend
ment, the republicans will probably hold
both a primary and nominating conven-
tion in 1924.