Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-02-28
Senator Brewers Talks
Primary, Freight Rates

could well afford, and members Of
that party would, in my Judgment.
assist in naming as many weak men
on the Republican ticket as they
could, and then 60 to the polls in the
fall and do all in their power to de-
feat them. To emphasize my conten-
tions on this point desire to call the
senate's attention to a primary held
in one ward in the city Of Abilene in
which live. Last spring, The Re-
puhlicans Of that ward held prl-
mary and to show what the opposi-
tion party will do in the open, l want
to give you the result Of tbe primary.
Governor Hoch two years ago polled
In that ward 178 votes, receiving a
few more than the Republican
strength in the ward, the balance Of
the state ticket receiving on an
average, 1853 votes, and so far as l
know every Republican in the ward
voted at that election; at the primary
mentioned when the polls we're closed
229 votes were in the box and 20 Re-
publicane had not voted, this means
that about go or more votes In that
box were Of the opposite party. They
came up 10 the polls and voted Ia
the open and the Republicans who de-
sired to see fair deal we're powerless
to stop them on account Of the fact
that the primaries were not sur
rounded with the safeguards OF the
general election laws Of the state.
Now, ] insist that il the opposition
party will do that in the open, what
will they do when a Republican ballot
is handed them and they can go into
q booth and vote IL secretly aud their
actilne Sayer be questioned by any
bodyP You know, my fellow senators,
what they will do, they will assist in
nominating our ticket. II we are here
to make a primary law let us make
one that will be SO guarded and re-
stricted that the Republican party OF
the opposition parties will be per-
mitted to name their own candidates
without the interference Of the voters
Of one party with the other.
1t has been intimated by the sup
porters Of the Stubbs' bill that the
time is SO short that unless the house
bill is taken as it comes to the Senate
we will have no primary law this
session, but am inclined to think
that il the ballot allows promiscuous
voting and the polls are thrown open
as the Stubbs' bill provides, it is bet
ter for the people Of Kansas to have the
present system than though we pass
ed the Stubbs' bill; but l want to say
that / am here to assist and help
frame a good, just, and well guarded
Primary Law and am willing to stey
all summer, IL need be to accomplish
that purpose. I was surprised yes
terday, to hear the senator from Wau'
baunsee Dolly stale ITO take this
bill (the Stubbs billy as 1t comes from
the House, don't change it, take 1t al
1t is, II you don't take 1t as 1t is there
will be no primary legislation" The
Senator made this statement twice IL
his renal ks. This means that be en-
dol ses The Democratic amendment V
which most seriously object, and
take 1t that the senator represents th'
personal views Of Mr., Stubbs as he j.
recoguized as his closest politica
friend. Ny district desires primar!
llaw and from the sentiment as cal
ascertain It by conferences with m.
people they want 3 law which vii
permit them them to vote directly 10
| the candidate and q law which vii
also preserve our convention system
The convention system brings part
workers together, keeps up the intel
est in party affairs, and / do not b
lieve that my people wish to do ava
entirely with the convention In th
manner which the stubbs' bill woul
do II Il should become q iaW.
The Fitzpatrick bill provides for
direct primary vote on all candidate
from the United States senator dow
10 road oversesr in the entire stat
Il Is surrounded With all the sai
: guards Of the general election laws
the State. II one candidate receives
majority Of the votes cast be is d
olsred the nOmInes Of bis party wit
out any further osrsnOnyiiiDOus do
the nominailoB gOss 70 the oOnTs