The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-16
PRIMARY LAW
CHANGE URGED
BY CANDIDATES
Not One of 13 Advocate
Repeal in Speeches
to Women.

VI CSIl CdI1Q1OdJSS LUZ GONCTIlOI
and three for United States Sen
ator whose views on the Indiana
primary la WWere eXpounded on
Thursday for the Indiana League
of Women Voters at their annual
convention at the Marott, not one
advocated out-and-out repeal of the
measure.
But virtually all of them said it
might be changed to advantage.
Mrs. T. j. Louden of Blooming
ton, program chairman, who pre-
sided, opened the doors to free
speech on the question, when she
said: "Our organization stands for
the direct primary, but don't think,
gentlemen, we do not have an ear
for convincing argument"
Senator Arthur R. Robinson was
called on, but found to have de-
parted for Washington Wednesday.
Scion j. Carter, Republican can
didate for Robinson's post, did not
advocate repeal but spoke unkind-
ly Of the primary which necesSitates
candidates building up campaign
organizations at great cost. He adj
rnitted the evils of the old con-
vention system and suggested the
two big party organizations take
over the task Of acquainting the
people with the record, standing
and qualification of candidates.
Albert Stump, Democratic can
oil
ton, said it would be more beneficial
to impress the public with its re-
sponsibilities n voting than to alter
the primary law. He denounced
the system of placing national,
State and county tickets on one
lever in voting machines, saying
each should be on a separate pull SO
that county candidates couldn't
ride to victory" on State ticket,
nor State candidates on a national
ticket.
Kick Draws Applause
Frederick E. Schortemeier, Re-
publican gubernatorial candidate,
deplored the disastrous methods of
the old convention" and said the
next Governor should appoint some
twenty high-class people to study
and solve the primary problem.
J. Kirby Risk, Democratic gov
ernorship aSpirant, claimed a hand
in enacting the primary law of 1915
and declared it was an important
factor in giving Indiana women
limited suffrage, the constitutional
convention call and prohibition
measures. He drew applause when
he declared the State constitution
should be rewritten.
Samuel B. Wells, another Demo-
cratic gubernatorial candidate, ex-
tolled the primary law as the child
of William Jennings Bryan and
urged the public to be on guard to
prevent recurrence of misuse of
the primary such as when "Ste-
phenson held it in the cup of his
hand"
Adams Defends Primary
Charles w. Jewett, Republican
candidate for Governor, said: IT am
infinitely more opposed to return to
the boss ridden convention than in
modification, change or repeal of
the primary law" He commended
secret voting, but scored secret
counting of the ballots"
Thomas H. Adams, seeking the
Republican governorship nominal
ton, defended the primary law
Earl Ora Vford, Democratic guber-
Material candidate, expressed favor
for the primary law without any
reservations.
Alvah j. Rucker, Republican gu
bernatorial candidate, said: IF a
bill is passed to repeal the primary
law, and if 1 am Governor, I'll veto
it,"
Mrs. George Dale, wife of the
Muncie publisher who seeks the
Democratic nomination for Gov
ernor, read Dales approval of the
primary law.
DIN R. Holt, another Democratic
goVernorship aspirant, said the pri-
mary law should be changed to pro-
vide for nomination of Governor and
United States Senator, as we'll as for
all other Offices, by a plurality in
stead of a majority.
Disapproval of the primary law
as it now stands was expressed in
letter from Attorney General
Arthur L. Gilliom, Republican can
didate for the senatorial nomination
A letter from Charles Ewry, Re
publican goVernorship candidate, in
dorsed the primary although there
always has been a good deal of
'bootlegging' connected with it."