The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-14
HE DID IT ALONE.
W. A. Morgan Claims Credit for
Primary Bill.
Makes an Affidavit Concerning
Conference Committee.
TELLS HOW THEYSTOOD
Only One MemberWhoS Stood Pat
for Straight Primary.
Governor HOch Tells Why He
Appointed Mr.. Miller.

OF the legislature from Hodgeman
county. has made an AFFIDAVIT con-
corning the attitude Of the Legislative
conference which settled the fate OF
the primary election law at the last
legislature, and this affidavit makes
it appear that the whole credit for tho
report in favor Of the Stubs bill Is
due to Mr.. Morgan himself, who was
the only member of the committee
who stood pat for the bill as passed
by the house Of representatives.
This affidavit was secured by some
wanted to put s. L. Ryan, the repre-
sentative from that county Gin the
hole" Mr.. Ryan had made the claim
that he had stood by the house bill.
Morgan's affidavit is as follows:
State of Kansas, County of Hodge
man, IS.
W. A. Morgan, of lawful age, being
duly sworn according to law deposes
and says that he was a member of
the conference committee appointed
by the late legislature on the primary
bin.
That on the first ballot both sena-
tors were for the split primary and
all the members of the house for the
straight primary.
That later all the other members of
the committee in our conference
me to Join them in reporting for
a split primary bill. This absolutely
refused to do and they afterwards
joined with me in reporting the pri-
mary bill that was passed.
w. A. MORGAN.
Subscribed in my presence and
sworn to before mo this 29th day of
February, 1908.
(SeaD J.. w. VIM,
Notary Public.
My commission expires December
8, 1911.
committee were Senators Fitzpatrick
and Smith, and Representatives S. B.
Haskins, S. L. Ryan and W. "A. Nor
gan. The question of greatest i'm
portance before the committee was
whether the Fitzpatrick-Smfth plan
for a "split primary would be
adopted, or whether the Stubs plan
for a senatorial primary at the time
OF the general primary would be
recommended. Haskfns was openly
in favor of the split primary. Ryan
said that he would stand by the house
primary bill until it could be shown
him that the majority of the house
members wanted to capitulate. Nor
gan insisted fatty upon the house
bill. Morgan says Ryan "capitu-
lated"
With four members of the COM
until he forced the Republican mem
bers to line UP for a plan acceptable
to w. R. Stubs.
The Wathena Chief, which printed
the Morgan affidavit, comments on it
as follows:
the assertion that Old S. L. Ryan be-
trayed his colleagues In the house of
representatives, when he was placed
on the conference committee to repre-
sent the will of the majority which
was in favor of the direct primary bill.
Ryan rushed into print and denied the
assertion made by the Chief and had
his denial printed in several of the
papers in this and in Brown county.
The following affidavit by Mr.. Morgan,
ence committee. proves that what the
Chief said was true and that Ryan
was not only a traitor to his colleagues.
but a liar. as we'll"
Governor Hoch doesn't think Charles
Rector, of Decatur county, acted very
nice about the appointment Of his OPP
ponent, James Miller, to the job of
probate judge, Mr.. Rector and his
friends charged that the governor has
win the support of Otis L. Benton OF
Decatur county in the senatorial fight
1T seems that public official can't
do much of anything without being ac-
said Governor Hoch. 81 talked to Mr.
Rector and Mr.. Grady as kindly as a
man could talk, and explained to them
fully.that it was always my disposition
to favor an old soldier when possible
regardless of the preference law Mr.
Miller is an old soldier. He has strons
endorsements from the people of his
community. He is SO well liked that
it seems to be the custom to have him
preside over all Republican conven-
lions in his county by unanimous con-
sent A man must be pretty well liked
to receive such honors without any
contest. Miller's neighbors testified tc
his sterling qualities. I know that Mr.
Rector is a nice man: liked his style
but my own 1nchnations as well as the
law itself, led me to give the place tc
Miller, the old soldier"
H B. Miller, Clyde Miller and thei,
Usage county friends went to Kansas
City last night after comforting al
day with Topeka politicians, concern
ing the candidacy of Mr.. Miller fol
governor. It is said that they me,
other political leaders at Kansas City
last night, and discussed the situation
| There is no doubt that some of Longs
get Miller into the race. Whether they
will succeed remains to be seen.
There seems to be a difference OF
| opinion about the Reeder campaign
| for congress up in the Sixth district.
| The Western Times. published al
| Sharon Springs, wallace county says:
I'VE feel sorry for Ham and Young
With a keen PERCEPTION of his duties
towards his constituents which comes
from long and persistent attention tc
his office, Congressman Reeder put
| the above named gentlemen out OF
business so far as Wallace county is
concerned With the graciousness OF