The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-15

to name their own candidates for
Office. And he wants a flexible law,
of county committees to hold either a
direct primary nomination or a dele
gate convention. That is just what
all politicians want-something fiex-
plish their schemes by having a direct
nomination of candidates, then call a
delegate convention and try their
hand at that game. Politicians and
Officeseekers under such a law could
arrange matters to suit their wishes
and schemes to a finish. Mr.. Smith
intimates that under some circum-
stances direct primary nomination
law would do for county officers pro-
vided there were number of equally
competent aspirants for the same
office or for number of offices
rather than have the politicians get
INTO the squabo4e' let a direct primary
nomination be held and the candi-
dates submit their chance of a nomi-
nation to such primary.
What Politicians Want.
Mr.. Smith makes another jump and
draws another conclusion and says: In
no case should we dispense with our
state conventions. They are important
parts of our party machinery helpful
in many ways, bringing members of the
same party together, arousfng enthusi-
asm' formulating a declaration of par
ty principles, electing delegates to the
national conventions and are in short
Indispensable" If Mr.. Smith had adj
ded to the word Indispensable TO poll
ticians and bosses, and gentlemen who
make their living out of politics." he
would have been stating an exact
| truth Again Mr.. Smith says, There
are three capital evils in our present
system of making nominations If lie
had said there are three hundred evils
in our present delegate system and
that it is the most corrupt system that
| ever evolved from an irresponsible and
| imprudent trust, he would have come
much nearer the mark than the article
would indicate.
Should Not Swear in Votes.
One of the most objectionaI features
of one of his remedies is -'every voter
/ if challenged, should be compelled &c
swear that he voted a certain party
! ticket at the preceding election" Here
you have espionage to satisfy the most
astute and INSCRIPTIONS politician. The
/ idea of swearing voter as to how he
voted at former general election is
\ based upon the idea that voters are
/ dishonest. I know of no reason why Z
man cannot repent of his political opin-
\ ions within reasonable time. Mr.
Smiths idea of imposing the penalties
| of perjury upon poor voter who ha.
repented of his political errors is the
| first step towards the destruction of {
government of the people, by the PEG.
pie. of choking independent thought K
| death.
Let US illustrate. On the 5th day o.
September, 1901. President William Nc.
Kinley in his last speech a few hours
before his assassination. utter the fol
lowing words: we must not repose il
fancied security that we can foreve1
sell everything and buy little or moth.
ing If such a thing We're possible s.
would not be best for US or for thoss
| with whom we deal. We should TAX
from our customers such of their prod
! ucts as we can use without harm Z
industry and labor Reciprocity is TIN
natural growth of our wonderful indus
trial development under the domesti
policy now firmly esta blished. The per
iod Of exclusiveness is past. A polio,
of goodwill and friendly trade relation
! viii prevent reprisals. Reciprocity trea
ties are in harmony with the spirit o
the times; measures of retaliation ar
not If perchance some of our tariff
are no longer needed for revenue or tn