The Washington times., 1908-12-31
PRIMARY ELECTION
GOVERNORS CHANCE
State Executives Lead Move for Popular Choice of Sen
ators, by Which They Have Good Show to Win
Seat in Upper House of Congress.
By ]. c. WELLIVER.

knows that Governor Stubbs intends 20
run for the Senate against Curtis AT
the end OF four years, but II he does SO
intend, he viii help his own cause by
advocating a popular primary.
Nebraska Is expected to pass the ore
gon Law this winter. but whether Mr..
Bryan VIII be a candidate for the Sen
ate under IL is by no means certail. Mr.
Bryan has had some devoted and loyal
supporters in his own State 10 whom
the Senate would look inviting. and
there is report that the CommoHer will
stand aside and let one Of these run
for the upper chamber.
Gilbert NJ. Hitchcock, owner OF the
Omaha WOrld-Herald, is considered the
most probable Bryan candidate, If mat
erS can be 50 shaped that there shall
be only one Democrat in the rum ing.
At present the impression is that Mr..
Bryan Will keep out of that race unless
u Is necessary for him TO enter In order
TO assure a solid Democratic vote. IL
Is assumed that If he ran, no other
Democrat would 81 on the ticket
Whether any other man In the state
could occupy the entire field is nOt' so
certain.
Hughes Wants a Law.
Governor Hughes. Of New York. Is
pressing fer primary election act this
winter, and the Empire States contest
is likely to be OF the greatest national
significance, beCs use II New York shall
pass such a law the other Eastern and
New England States VIII be encouraged
10 greater eNertions In this direction.
The primary law has not had much
practical support in the East thus far
1t has made its way mainly South and
West
There is a sharp struggle. however.
IN New Hampshire. Vermont. and New
Jersey for the new procedure. and all
these States would be q aatIy influenced
by New York In the Empire State the
politicians admit that such a law would
lead To a pretty complete new deal iu
politics, management. and influence,
with Hughes at the head Of the new or
der. In fact, a good many people see
~ ms advocacy OF Such a law the evil
dence that Hughes has ambitions beyond
tn gubernatorial chair.
They think that without such an act
Root WIN continue thu boss Of the State
after Hughes retiTes from the ~IeCutive
Office; whereas, If Hughes is able 10
pass the primary act, II will make him
the biggest man iu the State. tie Sena-
tor 70 succeed Depew, and the State s
candidate for President in the next con-
test. whether that be four or eight
years hence.
Doesn't Please Washington.
Washington politicians generally do
not approve the primary idea Wash
ingt0n got into office by old methods,
methods with which il is familiar and
whose efficacy IL understands Il has
more confidence I'm continuing under the
old plan than under any new-faugIed
one: and 50 Il is against innovations
But the reports from the country lead
Inevitably 10 the conclusion that the
primary IS gaining strength with the
people, and that a number Of States
are likely 10 enroll themselves under
its banner this winter
The Oregon plan OF eleCtinE Senators
likewise. is gaining favor with fEe
people I'm about the proportion that II IS
/ losing with the politicians in Washing
( ton The oregon plan has the support
of active and earnest organizations I'm
a score Of States, and everything fndi-
/ Gates that it Is going 10 be stronger
rather than weaker because OF Oregon &
experience Of eIeCting a Democratic
Senator IN a strongly Republican State
The growing feeling of partisan inde-
pendence makes people look upon such
a result as a certificate OF character for
the law