The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-15
Definite Effort to Organize
Direct Primary League.
Reach Every City and Township
in Kansas.
PART OF REFORM PLAN
An Appeal Now Being Sent to
Voters.
w. L. Cunningham BOOms Bill
Hackney for Governor.

A definite effort is now being made
by the Republican Direct Primary
league to organize a branch of the re-
form movement in every city ana
township of the state. To further this
movement, an appeal is being sent
out setting forth the purposes of the
movement, and roasting the ma
chine" The document says:
Republicans who are resolved to
submit no longer to the control OF
Kansas state and national affairs by
have perfected this organization end
have perfected this Organization and
have established a bureau of informa-
ton and cooperation for all Repub-
licans who unite upon the principles
and policies briefly set forth by this
organization.
believing that the government Of
the state and nation should be adj
ministered in all departments in the
interests of the people, and that cor
porate abuses should be checked and
corrected, we seek as a basic method
of relief to enact a primary election
law which shall count each mans
vote equally with every other mans
vote in determining who shall enact,
execute and interpret our laws-a
statewide direct primary of all par
ties for the nomination of all candi-
dates held on the same day, before
the same board. at public expense,
and under the same security, protec-
tion and restrictions as surround the
general election. Under such a pri-
mary system parties may and will
flourish. Machines certainly will
perish.
.'No one knows this better than the
men and corporations who have been
running the Kansas Republican ma
chine and thereby perpetuating them
selves in place and power Hence,
every man, every measure which
threatens their domination is by them
termed a part and parcel of a new
machine" In great personal fear
they think to distract the attention
and divide the vote of Kansas Repub-
iicans by declaiming that this move
ment in which we are engaged Is a
struggle between the old machine
that is in and the new machine that
desires to get in.
t"The continued opposition of the pro-
fessional politicians and the corporate
lobby when the direct primary was be-
ing considered in the last hours Of tho
legislature of 1907 demonstrated that
the present machine is fearful, not OF
another machine, but of the people of
Kansas"
William L. Cunningham, speaker pro
tenn of the Kansas house of representa-
tives, was in Topeka a few days ago,
torial boon. Cunningham says that Col.
w. P. Hackney of Winfield is anxious
to get into the fight, and would like to
be the candidate of the antiprimary
faction of the Republican party.
Mr.. Hackney says" announced Mr..
Cunningham, that the proper man for
the Republicans to nominate for COVER.
nor has not yet been mentioned, and
some of Hackney's friends have taken It
up. and say that Hackney himself would
be the right man. l believe Hackney
would like to be a candidate"
Mr.. Cunningham does not say that he
is for Hackney for the nomination, but
being from Hackney's county, he would
doubtless support him.
Mr. Hackney was one of the leading
members of the house of representatives
in the 1905 session. He always got into
the game with a few remarks and was
the most spectacular speaker in the
house when he warmed up to the sub
ject.
]. w. Creech, of Dickinson county,
who came back to his home from Ex-
relsior Springs a short time ago. is now
Ill again. At last reports he
was in Kansas City taking hospital
treatment.
J. R. Burton didn't have a very lovely
time at wilsey, where he made the
Fourth of July address. Many people
took offense at his being invited TO
The rival celebration had as big crowd
as the regulars did.
The Smith Center Journal says:
The Democrats of this congressional
district are sitting up and taking 10
ice of things. 1t is reported that John
3. Rea, of Jewell county, has said that
ne will not refuse the nomination OF
he party for congress next year. He
was the candidate two years ago, and
made a hot campaign, cutting the usual
Reeder majority in two. John B. Is one
Of the best campaigners in the state.
md is a farmer who does things; he
will make a congressman who will do
hings, too 1t is entirely probable that
here will be but two candidates., the
Democratic and Republican, and in
ace like that the Democrats can win.
The Chanute Tribune tells this story
IN Attorney General jackson:
About two PAGES behind the vehi-
lie in which the attorney general rode
n the PROCESSION on the morning of the
Fourth while in Chanute, was the
loaf advertising "Joe's Place" As the
parade passed along, some one shouted
o the drivers of the advertising float,
'Hurrah for Joe's Place!"
"Joe's Place. Joe's Place. said the
attorney general. Now what kind Of
t might be where they sell two per
,ent. If it is I'll look it up when I
,ome back to town. raid it and put a
'eceiver in charge before go back to
Topeka
dNo, that's all right" said T. T. Nor
-ison. who with H. P. Farrelly. s. c.
Brown and Rev. H. H. Jones, was In
he vehicle with Mr.. jackson. Joe
loesn't sell booze. He sells clothing,
md the only two per cent he has any