The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-19
Refuses Even to Hear Talk Of
Clean Primaries.
Al Bauer Acts as Whipper-in for
s'the Gang"
THEY PLEAD IN VAIN.
DR.. w. G. Evans and H. G. Lari-
mer Ask to Be Heard.
An Adjournment Is Forced Over
Their Heads.


One Of the most arbitrary pieces Of
political despotism ever enacted in
Shawnee county took place on Saturday
afternoon when at the meeting of the
Shawnee county Republican central
committee at 116 West Sixth
street, the Schlitz bandwagon, with Al
Bauer handling the reins, was driven
over the necks of the men who have
been demanding a clean primary to be
obtained through the channels OF regis
rration.
It was not just because the ring
was in the majority on the negative side
Of the proposition, but because the men
who have been advocating a change In
I methods. were not evn allowed to talk
and not even allowed to present their
side of the matter. A motion of ad-
journment was thrown over the whole
matter. The ring voted as the ring
dictated. The efforts of P. H. Forbes,
Harry Lariner and Dr. w. c. Evans,
the men who wanted to make a plea for
square deal, were greeted with hoot-
ing, cat-calling, yells, and regular gal
/ lery-gOd demonstration.
After a peculiar parliamentary fuss
about the election of committeeman for
( such precincts as have none at the
present time, and a rumpus over the
admission of proxies. in which Chair
man Philips turned down the first and
allowed the second P. H. Forbes
/ brought the meeting to the purpose for
4 which it was called by saying: In
/ order to bring the matter Of primary
4 registration before the committee,
move that the call for the primaries, on
/ March 10, when made shall contain the
+ requirement that all voters in the city
of Topeka be required to register at
4 least five days before the primary" W.
/ A. Myers seconded the motion.
Ed Moon wanted to know what could
be done about .'us country boys. That
only applies to the city he said. Chair
man Philips told him that the country
people have never registered in matter
of this kind.
The discussion commenced to wax
warm, when Harry Larimer asked the
/ privilege of speaking to the COMMITTEES
/ on the matter OF primary registration,
and also said he had a message d-oIG the
! city central committee
Al Bauer at once informed Mr.. Philips
that the motion Is not debatable and
especially not by persons outside OK
the committee
DR.. W. c. Evans, pastor of the First
/ Methodist church, rose to his feet. Mr.
Chairman" he called out sbove Rle din,
/ Mr.. Chairman, ask the consent OF
this committee to speak on this matter.
4 I represent 5000 people"
/ Cat-calls and jeers came from the
rear part of the room. "Out Of order
Ring off-Sit dOWn-Thats the
stuff, . were some the vocal missives.
1.-The matter is not debatable," said
/ Chairman Philips. ''The situation is
en- barrassing to me, Mr.. Evans, I can
not grant you the privilege to talk"
P. H. Forbes tried to get in word
edgewise, but the "nOt-deb batable" gag
was flung at him also.
To simplify the situation and try to
start over again P. H. Forbes with
drew his motion, and his seconds con-
sented.
Il move we adjourn" shouted
Bauer
Several seconded the idea.
Il will say that if you do this some
thing will drop before November
shouted Forbes.
II want to say the same,' shouted
Peter He'll
Roll call was ordered. The motion
was carried by vote Of 81 to %. The
voting was as follows. For adjourn
ment: Toll, Hansfords, Keith. Stew
ems, Van SAINT, Matungley. Ferguson,
Rowles, Silette, Lindsay, Smith Eber-
hardt, AIulligan. Ryder, Bauer. Jewell.
Rossington, Hopkins Sterne, Snat-
finger, Beal Hodgins, Fred Jewell,
Blanch, Hurley. Osborn. Those voting
against adjournment; Skinner, Heller,
Washburn, Mcclellan, Buckman. Maus.
Stout, Taylor, Bunce, OVertOn, Allen,
fHeartburg, Charles, Bradshaw. Forbes,
He'll, Miller. Clancy, C. W. Matungley,
Chiles, Myers, Gill.
When the ring found out that Its
methods had prevailed. volley of
cheers broke forth.
P. H. Forbes and Dr.. Evans both
got on their feet.
Gentlemen" shouted the minister.
wait just a moment We have some
thing to say to you right" But his
voice was lost in the storm Of noise
that followed.
''Sit down=cut it out-we don't
want to listen" and kindred other ex-
pressions followed.
P. H. Forbes was treated to the
lea hra led
more unceremoniously than DR.. Evans.
The meeting broke up, but after the
committeeman got down on the street.
their actions were a psychological
study. The ring tried its best to ex-
plain. Kicking galore was heard on
every side.
'It is the suicide of the gang
said one committeeman, and he had
voted with It.
THE liberal crowd lost lots Of votes
by this action this afternoon" said an
other man who followed Bauer's lead
in the voting.