The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-27
HANCSIN BALANCE
No Agreement Reached on a
Primary Bill.
Leaders Are Still Hoping for a
Compromise.
RYAN HOLDS THE KEY.
Refuses to Agree Unless Ma
Jority Of House Does Also.
Mr.. Morgan Says That He Will
Never Consent.

Will the house of representatives
stand by the primary bill conference
committee If that committee reports
favorably On a "split primary?''
On the answer to that question de-
pends the action to be taken on the
primary election bill by the conference
committee, which held one session this
morning, and is holding another this
afternoon. No agreement has vet been
reached.
Speaker Simmons holds that it is not
necessary for a conference committee
to be unanimous. while it is custom
ary for conference committee to bring
in a unanimous report says Mr.. Sim
mons, Il think there is no doubt that
a majority Of the house conferees and
a majority of the senate conferees can
report bill to the legislature as the
action of the committee
A majority Of the house conferees
would be two, while as there are only
two senate conferees, they would have
to be unanimous in order to bring back
favorable report.
s. L. Ryan seems to hold the key to
the situation at present. Mr.. Ryan
takes the position that as a house men,
Der of the conference committee he is
bound to support the wishes Of the
house-and that means the Stubs bill.
Just as long as the "split primary"
people are unable to prove to Mr. Ryan
tndC the mouse mas cndnSeo lis
so long will Mr.. Ryan prevent the COM
mittee from reaching an agreement.
A man who knows Mr.. Ryan's views
in the matter said this morning: Mr.
Ryan is personally not opposed TO the
split primary, but he is going to stand
for the house bill as long as possible.
He believes that up to the present time
the house will refuse to approve any
report from the conference committee
which favors a split primary. If the
house would stand by split primary
report, Mr. Ryan would be will
ing to report favorably on such bill"
At best, 1t is unlikely that the de-
cision of the committee will be unanl-
nous. w. A. Morgan, the Democratic
member, will absolutely refuse to join
in favorable report for a split prf-
mary.
''They might just as well put it in
their pipes and smoke it, said Mr..
Morgan this morning, that I will new
er consent to agree to a split primary
bill"
sfWould you be willing to favor the
Stubbs bill without the secret ballot
proviso?" was asked.
.'weu, that's a matter on which
have nothing to say at the present
time replied Mr.. Morgan
So Mr.. Morgan will have to be count
ed out in any proposition looking to an
agreement on the split primary.
s. B. Haskins of Johnson county, is
favorable to a split primary, with the
secret ballot on United States senator
Mr.. Haskins is chairman of the con-
ference committee. and is doing all in
his power to bring out harmonious
report from the committee. Mr.. Has
kins said this morning.:
I'VE have taken up and settled
amicably all points of disagreement ex-
cept the split primary and the party
caucus We deemed it wise to thrash
out all those minor differences and get
them out of the way, in case we fail to
agree, and a new committee has to be
only have to settle the main points of
difference I am hopeful that we may
reach an agreement. Things looked
more favorable at noon today than they
did last night. 1 was feeling pretty well
discouraged last night
Where Was Senator Smith?
The conference committee th1s
morning met without Senator Fred
Dumont Smith. 1t was given out that
Senator Smith was at work IN the
state library, trying to determine
whether or not the split primary pro-
vision is constitutional. But when tne
committee tried to locate Mr.. Smith
he could not be found, and the COM
mittee had to go to work without him.
The absence Of Smith from the
committee this morning is rather por-
tentous When Smith returns he is
likely to have a lot OF new tnIuSS "
spring on the committee.
It is said that Senator Smith has
declined to sign any report from the
committee unless that report is
unanimous. If that is the case, the
chances for an agreement of the COM
mittee are small.
Trying to Reach a Compromise.
1t was said this morning that while
the committee IS collaborating,
strong efforts are being made out
side of the committee to bring the con-
ficting ideas of the Stubbs and anti
Stubbs leaders together.
In order to swing Representative
RYAN into line for the split primary,
he must be shown that a majority of
the Republicans in the house will vote
for a split primary report To pres
emf evidence of that kind to Mr.. Ryan
is now the object of the friends of the
split primary bill
1t was stated this morning that
three of the Democratic members of
tho house. who had been counted on
10 help Stubbs in his fight on the split
urinary in case the matter comes up
nn the floor of the house. will vote
against Stubbs and in ravor OF the
split primary rather than TO see the
primary legislation all defeated.
son. the floor leader of the Democrats.
said this morning: Il don't know OF
any Democrats who will be Tor the splt
urinary under any circumstances. We
are all against it and will continue to
be against 1t.
REPRESENTATIVE Rail of Kingman
county, one of the strong supporters OF
Mr.. Stubbs on the primary bill last
session, returned to his place in the
house this morning. after being detail
ed at his home by sickness in his fam
ily. Sheffield ingalls,. of Atchison, who
was for a primary. and might have con-
sented to the split BILL telegraphed
from Atchison that he is sick and un-
able to be present. In view of the fact
that one or two votes may determine
q