The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-20

Capital telling of the wishes of the
ing from Tom. Dick and Harry" and
meaning absolutely nothing. He in
| sisted that they meant nothing and
did not represent the sentiments of
the people of the state.
Declaration was made by Senator
Porter that he was not a prophet or
the son of a prophet, although his
father's name was Moses, but he ven
tured to predict that the adoption of a
primary law by the legislature would
not be satisfactory to the people.
The convention system is good"
said Senator Porter, and nobody has
enough alone. I've gone on the stump
and advocated the policy of letting
good enough alone. That was the way
we beat Bryan
Senator Porter said that he was not
opposing the theory or justice of
primary election system but he did not
think one was necessary. TELL me,
he asked, you champions of this
Utopian theory, this political hallucin-
alton and fake, if the adoption OF such
a measure will benefit anyone? l say
it will not. You can not improve the
conditions that exist now. If there
ever was time when the affairs OF
this state were rightly administered in
the interests of the people, 1 say that
time is now. Why change these con-
ditions? ~
Senator Porter concluded by saying
that primary legislation was in the
experimental stage and there was no
reason for its adoption by the Kansas
legislature. He said that he had not
made up his mind as to how he would
vote on the measures but was in
clined to favor the one, If he favored
any, which in a degree retained the
convention feature of making nomi-
nations. He thought that a gradual
step of this sort would not do much
harm.
Getty Would Change Stubbs Bill.
Amusement was expressed by Sena-
tor Getty, who secured the floor next,
at the mental, audible operations of
Senator Porter in his discussion of the
question. Senator Getty made quite a
lengthy speech, the gist of which was
that he was in favor of a direct pri-
mary plan but that he did not think
the Stubbs bill was perfect and that he
would not vote for it or any other pri-
mary legislation unless some of it's
features were changed.
IF the people are not intellectually
competent to nominate men for Office by
direct VOTE said Senator Getty they
lect delegates to conventions. I insist
that they are competent to make di-
rect nominations and that is why 1 IA
vor bill along those lines.''
He said that he did not believe that
either of the bills were bad bills or
that they had been drawn with sinister
motives.
1.-The house bill comes to US" he said.
''as an expression of the voice of the
popular branch of the legislature. We
should take that bill and fix it UP in
few details and then we will have a
guarantee for honest nominations. If
the senate takes favorable action on
the proposed substitute for the house
bill l am afraid that we will not sue
ceed in passing any primary legislation
at all at this session of the legisla-
ture. for the house will never agree to
the proposed substitute
SimOnS for Direct Primary
Senator Simons was the next and last
speaker at the morning session on the
speech in favor of a direct primary bill.
He said that the people were demanding
of having a handful of politicians controll-
ing conventions and nominating men for
office; He said that every person had
constitutional right. fundamental and
inherent right under the system of gov
ernment which prevailed in this country,
to say who they should put in public os-
right could be preserved to them would
be by giving them the right to make
nominations directly at primaries.
TT is highly important said Senator
Simons. ''if we are to be true to the peo-
pie that we ought to do something for
them and especially take favorable action
on direct primary legislation.
I'm not a prophet and my fathers name
was not Moses. but | will predict that if
mary legislation and other legislation thai
the people are demanding, the people of
years from now different class of men
and from a different party, who will do
what the people want them to do,
AT the conclusion of Senator Simons'
speech Senator Porter of Crawford moved
that the committee rise and ask leave to
sit again on the measure. The motion
prevailed after It had been so fixed up
that the primary bills were to be taken
up again at O'Clock this afternoon.