The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-23
BILL FAILS OF
PASSAGE AFTER
2-HOUR DEBATE
Tie and Victory Probably
Averted by Absentee
Senator.
HODGES LEADS FIGHT
Scores State Committee
for Alleged Tactics
in Battle.
HODGES LEADS FIGHT

w OQttlNs
With Eliza o. Rogers, state Re
publican chairman, Secretary Harry
c. Fenton and other state commit
tee hackers on the side lines to stare
fear into the hayward the primary
repeal BIZ, pet of the organization,
failed TO secure constitutional ma
jority by a single vote, late Fri
day afternoon.
Two hours of intense debate was
followed by roll call which result
ed in twenty-five ayes and twenty
four noes. The absent senator was
Samuel Benz, English, Democrat.
1t was considered likely that his
presence would have resulted in a
tie anG the final decision would
have rested with Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Edgar D. Bush, which would
have meant passage.
Scores Hate Committee
Motion to call the absentees
failed to return Benz to the cham
Der. DoorkeeperS searched the lobby
without result Another and final
senate test will be in order.
Lake county senators led the Of
fenSive against the bill and Senator
Sumner Clancy, Indianapolis, joined
them in terming it "the bill nobody
wants"
Senator William F. Hodges, Gary,
again proved to be the big gun for
primary defense.
Rogers and Fenton had taken
chairs just beyond the railing at his
elbow. This but added heat to his
argument.
Making the prediction, which
later proved true, that certain of
his colleagues would vote for the
bill who had not supported it
previously, he turned to the COM
mittee chiefs and charged:
az am ashamed OF some of the
acts of the present state committee
within the last few days. I know
Of threats they have made to a
senator on this floor that unless he
supports this bill they will see that
all state monies are withdrawn
from the banks in his county.
such is the sorry state of poll
tics in the state of Indiana.
Defends Primary System
''But charge that they had bet
ter not try such tactics. 1t was tried
In Illinois and failed under Thomp-
son and Small. They should re-
member that example and not try
such things here.
But they can not threaten me. I
fear no threats. I believe in the
preferential primary even for the
presidency of the United States.
"The argument has been made
here that the convention system is
cheaper. Sure its cheaper for those
who intend to buy the election. /
admit that primary is more ex-
pensive If you want to buy it. But
that is just point in it's favor. 1t
makes buying elections too eXpen-
Siye.
Before Hodges had taken the floor
Senator Joseph M. Cravens, Madi-
son, Democratic floor leader had
talked in favor of the measure and
declared Lake county opposition
was based on political selflshness.
lie asserted that the defeat of the
Democrats in the last election was
due to Al Smith deserving the party
platform He urged the Republic
ans to stick to theirs.
Urge Platform Be Upheld
Hodges pointed out that the bill
as amended is not the one specified
in the 1928 Republican platform
and that even that plank was
sneaked in from hotel room.
The present bill puts the Cover
nor and United States senators in
convention, but leaves congressman
out.
Senator Carl NJ. Gray. Dem.)
Petersburg, urged the bills defeat
and said the plank in the G. o. P.
platform was written by Senator
Watson at the Willard hotel, Wash
ington. for his own benefit.
Senator Denver C. Harlan. pres
ident pro tenn, and Bruce E. Cooper,
Evansville. who introduced the
measure for the state committee,
urged its passage on the ground
that defeat would be reputation OF
a party promise in the platform.
Senator William H. Hill, Vim
cennes, also spoke in its favor.
Others who took the floor against
it were Senators Holmes, Hartzell
and Nejdl.
Although urging the bills pas
sage, Cravens voted against it.
~ DzH