The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-30
a PRIMARY DETECTION.

these columns, the primary election
idea is splendid in theory. but it viii
require careful craftsmanship to make
it practical and satisfactory for a
whole state. Unless great care is ex-
ercised. the minority is likely to rule
under the primary election system as
much or more than it is under the
delegate system For under the dele
gate system, if the vote in the state is
anywhere near close, the party leaders
may some time learn to put UP the
best men if they wish to win-the men
the majority wish.
How small minority might rule
the party in an important nomination
is shown by the. Abilene Reflector in
hypothesis which it POUNDS on present
conditions. In taking up some Of the
Capitals arguments in favor of q state
primary, the Reflector says:
I'VE have in this state at the present
writing seven pronounced candidates
for United States senator as follows:
Curtis from the First congressional dis
trict, Benson and Stubs from the Sec
ond, Campbell from the Third. Calder
head and Bristow from the Fifth, and
Murdoch from the Eighth.
"Conceding that these seven gentle
men are of equal popularity in their
respective districts and taking as
basis the Republican vote cast in the
several districts in 1904 each of these
seven candidates might reasonably be
expected to receive approximately the
following vote in his congressional dis
trict at a primary to be held this fall:
Curtis would have 1886 votes in the
First. Benson one-half of the vote Of
the Second district, 1921 Stubs
one-half of the vote of the Second dis
trict, 1921. Campbell would have
20. 99s votes in the Third. CaIderhead
one-half Of the vote of the Fifth dis
trict, 11.03S. Brlstow one-half of the
vote of the Fifth district .03S. Muir
dock would have the vote of the
Eighth district, 1856.
In 1904, there were 64,213 votes
cast by Republicans for congressman
in the Fourth, Sixth and Seventh con-
gressional districts from which there
seem to be no pronounced candidate
for United States senator If each of
the seven candidates should draw
equally from these 64,213 votes, then
the result Of a Republican primary ct
which a United States senator should
be nominated by the direct vote Of the
people would be as follows:
AT such primary elections. Curtis
would receive 34,549 votes, or less than
1Oper cent of the total vote cast at the
primary election; Benson and Stubs
would each have 22,394 votes or less
than Is per cent OF the entire vote
cast; Campbell would have S9.171votes
or less than p per cent of the entire
vote cast: Calderhead and Bristow
would each have 20,211 votes or less
than II per cent of the entire vote
cast; Murdoch would have 27,399
votes or less than rs per cent of the
entire vote cast.
This result is not at all impossible;
on the other hand a result approx
mating such figures is highly probable.
1t is highly improbable that any of the
seven candidates now before the peo-
pie would receive a majority of the
vote cast at primary election.
IF the result should be approx
mately as above stated, then would the
Capital be willing that Campbell, with
less than % per cent OF the direct
vote of the people, should be declared
the nominee?
''If you answer yes. then please
state just what the direct vote Of the
people composing IS per cent of the
Republican party of Kansas, would
have to do with nominating a United
States senator"
The figures given by the Reflector
are, of course, hypothetical; for Curtis,
for instance, would get a large vote in
the Third district, while he would lose
a great many in his own district. but
the result might approximate the Re
hector's totals. That would be just as
unsatisfa etory to the state as a whole
as the present system, or more so.
The State Journal believes some sort
OF a primary election law probably
ought to be adopted. but it will require
careful craftsmanship and perhaps
considerable experimenting to get the
right kind. The instance cited shows
one Of the features which ought to be
overcome in framing the law. other
wise it will be no better, if as good, as
the present system.