The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-09
is STATE PRIMARY FEASIBLE?

Present state officers who expect a
denomination without opposition, un
der the custom that has obtained for
years in this state, can hardly be
blamed for opposing an experimental
statewide primary within the Republic
can party next year, If the expense of
the experiment, including printing OF
ballots, the per diem of judges and
clerks, and all incidental expenses, be
saddled on to them. They have right
to expect their nomination for a second
term without being subjected to this
great expense.
If a direct primary is to be held by
the Repu blican state committee next
year, it must be voluntary matter on
the part of the rank and file, and the
rank and file must give its services and
bear the expense. The State Journal is
inclined to believe this is feasible. but
it should be ascertained to a certainty
before the state committee meets next
January or February. If it is ascer-
tanned that the Republicans OF each
county or precinct will generally stand
the expense Of their local primaries,
there will be no legitimate excuse for
not calling primary; but that this ex-
pense will be met ought to be assured
before the state committee takes acr
ton.
In his reply to Congressmans An
thongs letter regarding this matter,
State Auditor Nation has compiled the
possible expenses that must be met.
The State Journal believes, however,
that in nearly all of the 1900 precincts
in the state much Of this expense can
be eliminated.
At present caucuses are held but
those who preside over them never
dream of charging for their services. A
hundred or more delegates are sent to
county convention but they are not
paid for their time. County delegates
are sent to the state convention, and
they must pay car fare and hotel bills,
as well as lose several days time, but
they make no charge. Is it too much
to believe that in many precincts re-
sponsible Republicans will volunteer
their services as judges and clerks of
primary in order that the experiment
may be made?
If this were done it would do away
with the greatest item of expense. Mr.
Nation points out that there is no law
to govern state primary. other than
what the state committee shall make, |
SO there would be no necessity for the
publication or posting of official |
notices. Nor is it likely that the |
township committeeman would charge |
for taking the ballots to their respec-
tive precincts and returning them to |
the county committee.
The expenses that cannot be avoid
ed are the printing of ballots and poll |
books, and perhaps the setting up of |
the BOOTH According to Mr.. Nations |
figures, these would aggregate $3.50. |
Or less than $500 a precinct on an |
average. If the work of putting up |
the booths were donated, it would |
be less than $500 a precinct. In those
precincts where the judges and clerks
demand pay. $3.50 will have to be
added.
The State Journal believes that a
large number of counties will nomi-
nate county tickets by the primary
method next year and if the state
committee so recommends, probably
a considerable majority will do so, for
the primary idea has a strong hold on
the people in many counties. In the
First congressional district, the State
Journal believes, every county already
uses the primary system, and most of
hem would probably hold their coun-
" primaries along with the state pri-
naries. In such instances the state
primaries would be little expense.
Why would it not be a good idea for
Mr.. Anthony, or whoever else is inter-
asted in the matter to institute an or
yanized inquiry in the different coun-
ies-to extend perhaps to the pre-
,incts-to ascertain if the expense of
he primary Will be borne locally, Sc
curing pledges to that proposition?
The State Journal believes there are
enough good Republicans who are
anxious to see the state primary tried
o be willing to bear this expense in
he vast majority of the precincts. 1t :
will amount only to three or four dol
ars in each precinct, besides the SER
yices of the judges and clerks. And
or the few precincts in which there
Ire no willing patriots. doubtless such
primary advocates as Messrs. Horna-
lay Anthony, Stubs and others will I
contribute to a fund to pay the ex-
)enses in such precincts.
Concerning the safeguard PROPOSE
ion, rs Auditor Nation points out, the /
tate committee can provide whatever
it sees fit.
In the long run the primary will
be cheaper than all the !,
county, district and state con- ,
-entions that would be necessary I'M (
Ter the convention system, and 1t !
would be valuable object lesson to
he next legislature, either for or ;
gainst the primary system. !
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