The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-08

Fairchild, state superintendent of
public instruction, each of whom VIII
probably be a candidate for re,elec-
ton, are opposed to the plan, chleny
on the ground that it will involve un-
usual expenses.
Governor Hoch, who isn't a candi-
date, favors the plan If it could be
properly safeguarded so that no one
but Republicans might participate in
the primaries. The governor thinks II
might be we'll to make the experiment
suggested by Mr.. Anthony. Grant
Hornaday, of Bourbon county. an
avowed candidate for the Republican
nomination for governor, also favors
the Anthony plan.
Mr.. Anthony's letter to the state Of
ficials suggesting this direct primary
proposition is as follows:
Some time ago, was asked cy MT.
Hornaday, one of the candidates for
the Republican nomination for gov
ernor, If as a member of the Repup-
lican state central committee, would
advocate a direct primary Tor the
nomination of the next Republican
state ticket. I replied that 1 would,
and Mr.. Hornaday advised that the
member from Bourbon county would
take the same position.
"I am now writing direct to you, to
ask you if you will lend your encour-
agement and support to the movement
to have the nominations for state OF
ficers, for congressman, for state and
possible the delegates to the national
convention named next year by di-
rect primary called by the Repub-
lican state and congressional central
committees.
"a state central committee meeting
in conjunction with the candidates
can afterward be held to enunciate a
Republican platform. The successful
results from the direct primaries re-
Gently held in Nebraska and Okla
a agitation
unrest among the Republicans of the
State of Kansas, makes to my mind,
the selection of our ticket next year by
direct primary an absolute necessity
for success. The item of cost is only
a bugaboo. The primary in the First
congressional district this year cost
ing only comparatively small
amount.
'It is desired to publish a summary
| of the replies received to this letter
from our senators and congressman,
state officers and members of the Re
| publican state central committee in
| the Leavenworth Times and other
Kansas newspapers, and as your posi-
ton in this matter will undoubtedly
| be of considerable interest to the Re-
| publicans of the state, 1 trust you will
favor me with an early reply.
with best personal regards. I am.
ID. r. ANTHONY. JR."
Supt. Fairchild's Statement.
In an interview today State Super
| intendent E. T. Fairchild was asked
| whether he would support a move
| ment to induce the state committee to
| call a primary next year for the nomi-
mating of all officers-county, con-
gressional and state.
| Mr.. Fairchild said: 81 do not be-
| lieve that it is wise to ask for pri-
mary for the reason that such mode
| of nomination can only be conducted
| at great expense to the candidates. TIC
| have a state primary at all in the ABB
| sence of any law governing it, means
| that the action of each county must
be voluntary, and that the expenses
| incident thereto must be met by vol
| unary subscriptions. Naturally the
| candidates will be assessed for the
! larger part of the expense. While in
| some counties, no doubt, men could be
found who would give their services
at the polls without charge, neverthe-
| less in q great many instances usual
prices would necessarily be paid for
| such work.
| again, the printing, taking the state
as a whole, will mean very consfd-
| cradle item. Candidates for local Of
fees would be unwilling naturally to
| share the entire expense or the11
| county, since the names of candidates
for state and congressional offices
| would appear on the ticket. Any or
binary amount assessed against state
| officers would mean i nthe aggregate
| a considerable sum of money.
"All this is merely preliminary to
the contest and expense of the regular
campaign pending the election and to
| which the nominees would necessarily
contribute.
| at do not understand that this ques-
| ton involves the desirability of a pri-
| mary law at all. When that comes, as
| T believe it will, the legislature VIII nc
| doubt provide among other Things
| for meeting the expenses incident to
| the primary election"