The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-11
Pennsylvania is Trying Her
New Primary Law.
Both Parties Making Nominal
lions for All the Offices.
BRYAN HAS A FIGHT.
Some Sentiment in Favor OF
UNRESTRICTED Delegation.
Considerable Opposition to the
Return of PenrOse.

Philadelphia April 1.-THE first
real test of the uniform primaries
act which was passed by the legisla-
ture in special session as a result of
the political upheaval in Pennsyl-
vania more than two years ago, will
be had this afternoon when all the
political parties in the state will elect
delegates to their respective national
and state conventions and nominate
candidates for congress, state, senate,
assembly, judges and minor offices in
the 81 counties of the state. The
polls will open at 2 p. M. and close
at p. m.
In addition to the thousands Of
nominations fled with the commits
sioners in all the counties more than
5000 names OF candidates for ma
tional delegates, congress and legisla-
ture were filed with the secretary of
the commonwealth. The election ma
chinery Of the state will be taxed to
the limit. The work Of handling the
election and compiling returns is ex-
pected to be heavier than that of any
election ever held in Pennsylvania.
The Republican and Democratic
parties will each elect "a delegates to
the national convention. In addi-
ton they will elect delegates to the
state conventions each of which will
select four delegates at large and
nominate candidate for judge of the
state superior court Thirty-two
candidates for congress, rs candidates
for the state senate and 207 candi-
dates for membership in the lower
house of the legislature will also be
selected today by each party from
among. the thousands whose names
have been placed on the primary bal
lots
There is no contest within the Re-
publican party over Pennsylvania
preference for the presidential nomi-
nation. The last state convention
unanimously endorsed United States
Senator Knox, and the present indica-s
lions are that the state convention to
be held at Harrisburg, April 20, will
re-afHrm the action of last years
state convention and that Pennsyl-
vania's 68 votes in the national con-
veHtfon win be cast for Senator Knox.
Guffey Opposes Bryan.
In the Democratic party however,
there is some show of a contest over
the question of whether the national
delegation shall go to Denver I'M
fettered or be instructed for William
j. Bryan. Colonel James NJ Guffey.
Of Pittsburg, the Democratic national
committeeman from Pennsylvania is
credited with favoring an I'M
instructed delegation while there are
many in the Democratic organization
who want the state convention, which
meets at Harrisburg on May 20, to
endorse the Nebraskan.
But the great contest in the state
which begins today and which will
be carried on with vigor until the
November election, is that for MEM
bers of both houses of the legislature
which Will choose United States
| senator to succeed Senator Penrose
vxyh To
| is candidate for reelection and in
dependent Republican leaders have
announced that they will oppose his
| return to the seat in the senate.
Local option is playing a prominent
| part In the campaign and promises to
overshadow every other issue. Many
organizations throughout the state fa-
voring either the abolition or restric-
| ton of the liquor traffic are carrying
on a spirited campaign for the
nomination and election of mem
| bers to the legislature who favor local
| option.
| The following members of congress
will be renominated by their respec-
tive parties, they having little or no
| opposition:
Republicans-H. H. Bingham, Joel
Cook, J. Hampton Moore, r. o. Moon.
w. w. Foulkerod and George D. Nc
| Creary, all of Philadelphia; T. S. But
Ter of West Chester. I. p. Wanger of
! Norristown, B. K. Focht of Lewisburg,
M. E. Olmstead of Harrisburg. D. F.
Lafean of York, c. F. Barclay of
Sinnemahoning.
| Democrats. D. Nichols. OF
Scranton; j. H. Rothermel, of Read
ing: G. w. Kipp, of Towanda; w. B.
Wilson, of Bloomsbury; j. G. Nc
Henry, of Benton.
Among those who are certain of
election as national delegates is
United States Senator Penrose. He is
unopposed for delegate to the Re-
publican convention from the Second
| congressional district
Bitter fractional Contests.
Pittsburg. Pa, April 1.-THE pri-
mary elections throughout Pennsyl-
vania which are being held today are
marked with bitter political battles in
several sections Of western Pennsyl-
vania. In a number of districts fac
| the situation and all the tactics
known to politics are being resorted
to. In Allegheny county, embracing
Greater Pittsburg, the primaries to-
Eday are the most interesting and ex-
citing in the history of this vicinity.
1 Under Pennsylvania's new primary
election law district conventions have
been abolished and the people today
are selecting the candidates of all
parties.
/ In Allegheny county alone about
l2,50O OFFICES, including national state,
county and city offices, are being vot-
ed for.
Candidates in ten congressional dis
ltricts, delegates to the Republican
and Democratic national conventions
state legislatures, county and city Of
fcers are being selected
L Supporters of local option have
4 PLAYED a prominent part in the cam
paiRn and thousands of school child
rem are parading the streets IN the
vicinity of the polling booths carrying
IN scribed banners and singing for the
success of local option candidates. In
the churches and homes services are
~. 1.~l<a io6 OF.