The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-08
IN A DEADLOCK.
Death Struggle Over Primary
Election Bill.
Stubbs Forces Refuse to Accept
Conference Report.
DOORS ARE LOCKED.
Officers Hunt in Vain for the
Absentees.
Vote Stands As for to 81 Against
Report.
Exciting Speeches Made and No
Quarter Offered.

The conference report on the primary
election law caused a deadlock in the
house and was adopted in the senate
this morning.
The vote in the house was As for
adoption of the report and 81 against
In the senate the vote was p for the
adoption of the report and against.
Both branches of the legislature put
in a good share of the morning session
fighting about the report.
The features of the compromise bill
are as follows:
Direct nominations for township,
county, legislative and judicial offices
by plurality vote. (Stubbs bill plan)
Delegates to congressional and state
conventions to be chosen at the same
primary. Fitzpatrick bill plan.)
Direct vote to be taken on candidates
for congress at the same primary, Dut
not to be mandatory upon delegates
unless some candidate has majority OF
all the votes cast. This same rule re-
garding a majority vote applies to stats
officers. Fitzpatrick bill plan.)-
State officers and congressman not
receiving a majority vote shall be NOM
mated by convention.
United States senate to be chosen by
the legislature as at present, but the
voters may express an opinion as to
their preference at the primary.
committee on the primary election law
followed closely that on the maximum
freight rate bill and precipitated a
general discussion when Ham of
Rocks moved to table it before there
had been a chance for a discussion o.
its provisions by the members.
Charges of gag rule were made
from all quarters and Ham attempted
to withdraw his motion. A chorus of
noes came. A vote on tabling the mo-
ton by roll call was lost by vote of
80 yeas and 40 nays.
Ryan of Brown said:
Il came here to get a primary cleo
ton law ii possible and if I cannot get
exactly what l want ] am for the next
best thing. Under this law we will be
able to elect our representatives who
elect our United States senators by a
direct primary law and that is a step
in the right direction
F. c. Pomeroy of Jackson: 81 am
for a primary election law, as I was
elected under that system. The law
which is now on the statute book is a
lame affair, but 1t is better than none.
1t fails to set a time for holding con-
ventfons and has numerous other
short comings. This is one thing
which has created a demand for a pri-
mary election. As the law now stands
an election may be held in a county
and the next day in the adjoining
county will be Influenced by the result
Stone of Shawnee-'There has never
Deen demand for a direct primary
prior to this session. and this was
brought about for the reason that the
last Republican convention which met
in this city, was controlled by the poll
ucians and the will of the people was
thwarted. That is the one thing which
has precipitated this crying demand for
a primary election law. The men who
are sent to state conventions are pup
pets and tools in the hands of the
skilled politicians. They are not dis
honest but they are not used to the
ways and wiles of the men who dictate
the nominees of the convention
Made by the Senate.
Mr.. Stubbs said: 81 do not wish to
reflect on the motives of the house con-
ference committee, but this law, as re-
ported by them, is a delusion and snare
would rather have the election law
just as 1t is now than to have such a
one as the one proposed by this confer
ence committee.
1T adds to the cost of an election and
will accomplish little If any good. If
we accept this report, we compromise
the very principle of the law and do
away with the possibility of a direct
primary law some time in the future
The house of representatives has been
a deadlock since 1890 on the proposition
of accepting the report of the confer |
ence committee on the primary election. |
law. The vote stood 4S for and So
against adopting the resolution at the
emu VI lIle TOll CALL 1nOSe VINO voted |
against accepting the report are urg-
ing that those voting in the minority |
should change. as has been the rule in |
the past.
A call of the house was made inme- !
diately upon the announcing of the vote |
and the sergeant-at-arms sent after the
absent members. There seems to be no |
the part of either side to |
yield point and there is a possibility
that the call of the house may last all |
night.
It will take 16 votes more to adopt the |
resolution. Twelve members have gone
home and the roll call shows % not vot-
ing. There are eight members who were
present at the roll call this morning and |
from these and changes the friends of |
the measure hope to recruit the 16 votes |
necessary to adopt the report
Mr. Stubbs and his friends who are
opposing the adoption of the mongreI I
bill are standing firm and there is
nothing to indicate a compromise and
even though the remainder of the |
members of the house should vote for I
the acceptance of the measure it will |
not carry unless those favoring the /
adoption of the report are able to
make inroads in the ranks of the stand !
Stubbs bill or nothing.
Representative Kin was brought in /
by the sergeant at arms at o'clock
and voted for the adoption of the COM
mittee report.
The roll call at 2:so. which has not
been changed since the call of the |
house, is as follows with the exception
of the change made by Rail and the |
vote cast for the resolution by Kiff: