The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-03

Republican nominee for congress II, the
Seventh district, answers the square
DEAF questions in a letter to James A.
Troutman, chairman of the Kansas Re
publican league. Judge Madison in his
reply points out some objections when
viii be raised in some quarters regard
ing direct primary law. His letter Iol-
lows:
Mr.. James A. Troutman, Topeka, kan.
Dear Sir and F'riend:-Your letter Of
recent date at hand asking for an ex-
preston Of my views upon certain Ques-
tions now under discussion in this state.
If my attitude as to these matters is Of
any interest to others am glad to make
it known
am in favor of the enactment Of a
law providing for a direct compulsory
primary election for the nomination Of
all elective officers, the same to be held
at public expense and with proper safe
guards provided by law to secure al alb
solutely fair expression of the will OF
the voters. mere subterfuge like our
present law or the recently enacted IL
iinOis Ia viii satisfy no one and settle
nothing If we are to have a primary
election law it should be one that will
provide that the members of each party
shall vote direct without the interVen-
ton Of convention for their choice for
the nominees of their party. AS the
holding of the election must be COM
pulsory upon each party it must be at
puDnc expense II II provides for the
assessment CT candidates to provide the
funds to hold the election it viii de-
pflVe many poor men of the opportun-
Ily to become candidates and secure the
places OF Importance to men OF means
only. 1t is my understanding that the
supreme court of Illinois held the pri-
mary election law OF that state void be-
cause 1t provided for compulsory pri-
mares at the expense of the candidates
and thus deprived many of equal oppor-
tunitleS with others under the law.
As the people begin to discuss the en-
actment of an effective primary law OBJ
JectiOns to it are bound to be made on
account of, 1st. The added expense to
the public. 2nd-The holding of what is
practically second election with all
the attendant political turmoil and
strife in one year. 3rd-The additional
expense thrown upon candidates for
public offices, the salaries attached to
which are in some instances very mad
equate 4th-The preponderance in a
primary election of the more popuIous
should prevent the enactment of an
eIecti~e measure. They can all be fair
~ met
I am in favor of the assessment of all
property, whether owned by railroad
companies or individuals, upon the
same basis. Every person, whether ar
tifcial or natural, should bear a just
proportion of the public burden.
While have in common with practi-
eally all of those holding important Of
f1clal positions in Kansas used free
transportation. and do not propose to
pose before the public as possessing Vir-
tues l can not truthfully claim. yet
have no hesitancy in saying that / be-
ieVe the time has come in Kansas when
an enect1Ve anti-pass law should be en-
acted and [ will contribute all l can to
| that result. I believe that to be effec-
tive the excepted classes should be very
few indeed, and that penalties should be
provided for both the giving and receiv-
ing of pass and should be of such
severity as to operate as an actual de-
terrent of the violation of the law
l am in favor of the reduction of pas
senger rates in Kansas if it can be done
without injustice to the railroads. I be-
lieve they should be reduced to the low
est possible rate consistent with the
earning of the reasonable profit to
which the railroads are as justly enti-
tied as the grocer. the dry goods mer-
chant or the banker. The legislature
viii have it in its power to provide the
means to ascertain what is a fair rate
to be charged for the transportation of
passengers in this state. 1t should ex-
ercise this power, ascertain the facts.
and then act to the best interest of all
concerned. It Will not do to act with
out consideration or without a know
ledge Of the facts. and there is no
necessity for such action
Very respectfully yours,
E H MADISON