The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-20
Fakes Up the Various Standard
Objections.
ANSWERS IN DETAIL.
Says Senators Must Be Choice
Of Districts.
Why Bill Does Not Conflict With
Australian Law.

When Senator Ca1dwell's attention
was called to the interview of NJ. F.
Amrine in this mornings Capital in
which Mr.. Amrine objects to what he
terms. the split primary bill,'' because
it makes the legislative and senatorial
districts of the state the unit in the
primaries to be held for the nomination
Of United States senator, instead of the
state at large. Senator Caldwell said:
Senators Choice of Legislative District.
so long as the constitution provides
that United States senators shall be
elected by the legislature in joint ses-
sion, why should not the senators and
representatives receive their fnstruc-
tions from the respective parties to
which they belong, as to whom they
shall vote for in joint session for this
office?
From whom do those senators and
representatives derive their power to
cast their ballots for United States SEN
ator? From whence should they re-
ceive their instruction? From the peo-
pie of their respective districts, or from
the people as a whole? Most certain
from those who elected them and from
none other To me 1t seems preposter-
Gus for the state as a whole to instruct
the legislature, whose members are
elected by their respective constituents
to whom they owe allegiance. So far
as 1 am individually concerned, 1 much
prefer to receive my instructions as TO
whom I shall vote for in Joint session.
for the election Of the United states
third senatorial district, rather than
from the voters from the state at large,
or from any other district.
''What senator or representative
would dare question the right of his
constituents to instruct him in this
ri ori1yy re a.
tive office by their suffrage. why
should not he gladly welcome instruc-
ton from them? On the other hand
suppose a Republican nominee for
representative should declare in ad-
vance of the election, that he would
not, il elected. vote for the candi-
date for United States senator, whom
the Republicans Of his district, by a
vote of two to one should declare to
be their choice? Would he stand
much show of being elected?
"Under the statewide plan for
which Mr. Armine is such an ardent
advocate, the voters of the cities in
be hauled to the polls in such num-
bers as to overwhelm the people of the
sparsely settled districts of the central
and western portions. Is 1t r1ght 10
give to the people of these cities the
power to use the means and influences
WITH WHICH tIlty 1I & 1dNOA GU, ~ NShSeAS
the wishes of the voters of the leg1s-
lative and senatorial districts in their
choice of candidate for United States
senator? This plan should be styled a
scheme to deprive the people or the
legislative and senatorial districts of
the state of the right to assist in the
selection of candidates for their
respective parties, and confer it upon
the packing house vote of Wyandotte
county, and the floating vote of the
cities of the eastern part of the state.
'"The Republican vote of the state
is about $4,000, while the vote OF
that party in each representative dis
trict is about one per cent or 1850.
Is it possible that any considerable
number of voters who elect these
representatives. prefer to have their
votes counted as one in $4,000 rather
than one in $50, in determining who
shall be the candidate of their party
for the office of United States senator :?
Answers Objection to Later Date.
"Mr. Armine objects to senate bill
No. / because under it's provis-
ions the people deo,ors OF t,sr the choice re
for United States senator in pri-
mary held at a later date than that on
which candidates for the legislature
are nominated.
sfWhy should legislative and SEN
atorial candidates be asked or re-
ouired to advocate the claims of any
candidate for United States senator? !?
Under the split plan of primary
election, if the candidate for the Leg
islature is asked what candidate he
favors for United States senator, is he
not placed in a position to answer: 1t
is up to the people of the district and
not to me?' Under this plan the voters
of the respective parties instruct their
representatives for whom to vote, and
legislative candidates should not use
their power and influence in favor of
or against any candidate Tor the Uni
ted States senate.
Candidates for Two Offices.
"As to the objection of Mr.. Am
rine that a candidate can not run Tor
congress, or any other oHlce and at
the same time be candidate for
United States senator, 1t Is proper to
ask about how far in the race can
didate running for two offices would
get in any kind of a primary election ?
In fact, no direct primary bill that
has yet been presented to the legisla-
ture for enactment into law contains
a provision that would enable the
candidates to thus stand for two Of
fees at the same time.
As to Conflict With Australian Law.
LAS to the objection to that part of
the split bill which is said to CON
fict with the Australian ballot law, ]
quote from the opinion of Chief Justice
Hard, of the Illinois court of appeals in
Rouse VS.. Thompson, treasurer of Cook
county:
Amy person desiring to vote for a
primary election shall state his name,
residence and party affiiiation to the
primary judges. one of whom shall
thereupon announce the same in a dis
tinct tone of voice, sufficiently loud
to be heard by those present in the
| polling place, and no person who re-
fuses to state his party affiliation
| shall be allowed to vote at primary
election: and the contention is made
| that all of said provisions place