The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-26
Senator Porter of Montgomery
Talks About a Primary.
People in His Section of State
Don't Want One.
HORNADAY'S MISTAKE.
Thinks He Hurt Himself by His
Declaration.
Wants to See Factions In Re-
publican Party Wiped Out.

Senator S. NJ. Porter of MontSom-
cry county, who is in Topeka today on
business, thinks that it is unlikely that
! the Republican state committee will
adopt the Hornaday plan OF holding
state Republican primary instead OF a
convention.
"Mr. Hornaday's letter did not help
him any down in our section OF the
| state" said Mr.. Porter, because the
sentiment down there is not very
friendly to the primary. believe,
however, that it is the general senti-
ment of the Republicans of the state
that we should give the primary law a
trial. People may be disappointed in
the operation of a primary after they
have tried it. 1 do not think it will
prove to be a panacea for all political
ills. But the plan of holding a pri-
mary without any law would be OF
doubtful value, unless it could be ar
ranged SO that state, congressional
and county primaries could all be held
the same day."
What are the indications in the
fight for the governorship? was
asked.
'I believe that the object Of the Re-
publican party should be to wipe out
factionalism in the party" replied
Senator Porter. 1--WE can't afford to
have two factions. We should select
some candidate for governor who will
be satisfactory to the so-called square
dealers as well as to everybody else.
Personally, 1 think that Fitzgerald is
the most likely candidate. I would
naturally favor Grant Hornaday for
the place but 1 find there is great
deal of prejudice against him in sons
- l. -
him. He has fought the square deal
ers so long that they are suspicious OF
him"
Speaking of the saloon fight in his
county, Senator Porter said:
1--WE have a class of citizens down
there who are bound to have something
to drink. The men who work in the big
glass plants and similar institutions
eail .honk-a-tonks.' THAT is, they have
clubs They also buy 1t In the drug
stores. The open saloons and joints
have disappeared, but the people VINO
want liquor are getting 1t just the
same"
Senator Porter was asked concerning
the proposal to make a fight for the
enforcement of the law making pipe
lines common carriers. He said:
II doubt very much whether the law
could be enforced, in the first place,
because of certain unconstitutional tea-
lures And / do not think there is any
demand for it's enforcement from the
independent reftneries. The independ-
ents, of which there are now 13 in the
state, are doing a good business, ana
are fully protected from being squeezed
by the anti-discrimination law. They
find a ready market for their refined
oil, and being located at the source OF
supply, need no pipe lines aside from
what they build themselves. An oil
refinery can be conducted in Kansas
Just as successfully as any other form r
of business.
oil refinery, 1 believe they are due
wholly to the wrong policy on the part
of Mr.. Tucker. do not think the
Standard has been fighting that COM
nanv any more than any other COM
pany. The Uncle Sam company did not
do business on a safe business basis.
hu+ oyerca pitalized, and spent too much
in advertising. There is no doubt that
+ba Uncle Sam has some good property
in Kansas, and when reorganized, ana
nut on a safe business basis can con-
tinue to do business, and make mon
ey."
Senator E. F. Porter of Crawford
county came to Topeka today with the
city clerk of Pittsburg for the pur-
pose of registering some bonds or the
city of Pittsburg. Like number OF
other people from the Third district,
Senator Porter expressed himself as
friendly to Grant Hornaday for gov
ernor.
sI will be for Hornaday because he
is from our part of the state" said
Senator Porter, "but personally L am
inclined to be favorable to Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald would make splendid
governor. He has plenty of nerve, he
Is resourceful and honest, and he
would come nearer uniting the party
than anybody else.
'If we should have a state primary
next wear, and Stubbs should get into
the race, L don't doubt that he would
be a formidable candidate. But the
primary plan is not liked down In my
there. 1t might do first rate in some
other sections. but we have trouble
enough keeping things straight with
eIecting delegates to conventions
4'Will you be a candidate for re-
election to the senate % was asked.
81 don't know" replied Senator Por-
ter. THAT rests with the people ooWn
there. have had two terms. and
don't know what they would think
about third termers.