The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-02-14
Republican Managers May Attempt
to Force Machine Nominations
Without a Convention.
FRANK PREPARING THE SLATE.
Advisory Committee Secretly Play
ing Into Ziegenhein's Hands
independent Ticket
Is Probable.

Nomination Of candidates for office by di-
rect primaries. in preference to the conven-
tion system, which has heretofore been the
party's custom. will. IT Is believed, be the
decision of the Republican City Central
Committee at the meeting to be held TINS
afternoon in the committee headquarters In
the Holland building, unless some potent
force intervenes In the interim to induce the
prevailing influence in the body TO assume
a different attitude.
Influential members of the committee. VINO
are known 70 be intimate and active with
the City Hall powers. stated positively ana
frankly yesterday that the action Of the
committee In favor of nomination by direct
primaries was already as certain as II the
committee had recorded It's conclusion In an
official manner. These members declared
that a safe majority OF the committee had
agreed to vote for the direct primary meth
cd. and il was also said that the position OF
every committeeman was definitely known.
Secretary William H. Hahn of the COM
mittee, who is In the foreground as manager
of the Republican campaign. unequivocally
asserted. in reply to a question. that he Is
absolutely certain that the proposition for
direct primaries will be adopted and ap-
proved this afternoon by the committee.
Other prominent Republicans confirmed this
statement.
Another matter to be determined this
afternoon will concern the date for the
primaries, as well as the details relative
TO the method for filing nominations. Com
mitteemen asked about the matter profess
TO have no idea as ~ the date and express
more or less Indifference, but those prom
inent in Republican politics say that IL Will
be in the week of February % or March ].
The general impression Is that February e
or 2s Will be the date.
Antf-Machine Republicans Protest.
Republican organizations that are not in
sympathy with the regular City Hall ma
chine and the editorial triumvirate have re-
peatediy and earnestly expressed public dis
approval OF the primary system OF nomina-
ton. and yesterday many fflleyftes enforced
st. Louis Republican Club and vehementiy
asserted that there is every prospect tnat
an independent Republican ticket win be
placed in the field. This idea meets with much
favor. especially since the opinion is preva-
lent that all arrangements Tor the Repubif-
can nominations have been conducted and
arranged UP TO this time by the CITY Central
Committee. which consists chiefly Of City Hall
officehoIGers. the Merchants League Club.
which - directed from the City Hail. and
the editorial triumvirate, which enjoys close
relations with the City Hall machine. In
fact, IL is commonly believed that the d.
rect primaries system is practically an
agreement between the machine and the
triumvirate.
Preparfnx n slate.
Rurnor has IL that Nathan H. Frank was
delegated by the triumvirate to for
now now engaged. and which Is said. TO
be complete, with the exception OF u selec-
lion for the mayoraliy Frank Is aeefed. aSsds,. !.
for this Office. and a formal announcement
to that effect would not cause much sur
lies are anxious to promote the interest Of
Judge Zachritz-
Candidates for Office.
City Treasurer Seudder yesterday an
.4af.. f..s-r H.
nation. City Auditor Mason is also out for re-
nomination. Comptroller Sturgeon will again
enter the race for the office he now hoidsCty
Collector Wenneker Will be a candidate Tor
denomination Assessor Frederick Is a can
didate for the comptrollership nomination
Wilbur +. Parker. friend OF Councilman
Besch. the City Register; and Joseph Gut
Weller Deputy City Register, are said to
want the nomination for City Register;
chants. League Club, is slated for President
OF the City Council Louis kaitwa sser. Ben
Westhus and Gus Lang are on the slate TO-
present members of the House of Delegates
are candidates for nomination to the House
OF Delegates. although a complete ust Q,
the possible entries in this contest would
be too long to print In a page OF agate type
Councilman kratz considers himself "a
yorite for President of the Board OF Pubic
improvements. 1t Is generally believed tnat
Revenue Collector IL. e. Grenner VIII De
candidate for City Auditor or some otner
office. John Bardol Is mentioned Tor IN,
spscfor OF Weights and Measures. and Fred
Smith and John c. Lyons for City Marshal:
There are numerous other candidates. and
consequently this list Is subject TO revision
by the powers and the machine.
It's . Machine Bla6.
Editor Preetorfus OF the Westliche Post
has been an advocate OF the direct pr1ms.
RIGS method and 1t is thought that he urged
its adoption with the ostensible purpose OF
eliminating the present City Hall machine.
but the F1lleyites and conservative members
OF the St Louis Republican Club consider the
policy a play directly into the hands of the
machine operators. The machine Is well
organized" said prominent Filieytte yes
terday, "and 1t will be in a position to die
tate the nominations. Counting on $2so Tor
filing an application for candidacy, you VIII
note that il would cost more than 10000 to
place an entire ticket IN nomination. The
machine therefore, will be in position to
sell out to the highest bidder"