The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-22

mary election by means OF a compro-
mise proposed by John Edwards of
Greenwood and S. B. HaSkinS of John
son.
Edwards and Haskins propose that
all questions as to the conflict of the
tralian ballot be obviated by making
the November primary a secret pri-
mary. 1t is proposed to print the
names Of the party candidates for
United States senator on the regular
election ballot. The voter would not
his politics in voting, and the Aus
tralian ballot would not be en-
dangered.
1t is proposed that the voter shall
be allowed to vote for candidates for
representative and senator on any
ticket, but in expressing his preference
for senator, he must vote the same
ticket that he voted for state sena-
tor and representativ
This proposed compromise pre-
serves the split primary idea, but it
eliminates one of the chief objections
which has been urged against it. 1t
is expected that this basis of compro-
mise will be suggested to the con-
ference committee.
Some of the explanations made by
members of the house of their vote
on the primary bill when the roll was
called Tuesday evening were anus
ing and interesting. C. F. Foley,
Democrat, from Rice county, sent his
up in writing. He said that he
thought there were some very cum
bersome and undesirable provisions in
the bill, but believed that the people
wanted to try the scheme and would
vote for it. "Bilr' Gesner of Bar
Der county said: "I am opposed to
this bill. 1 have always been opposed
to it, and will continue TO be opposed
to it, and I don't believe in the pri-
mary election anyhow, but 1 got a
petition today from my constituents
asking me to support it, SO here goes.
I vote aye" o. L. Lennen of Ness
county, elected as independent,
voted against the bill because he said
it did not give the Independents any
show-which is undoubtedly true. The
bill Is a great solidifier of party lines.
w. w. Padgett, of Bourbon county,
who presided over the house COM
days fight on the primary election
law, is a candidate for judge of the
district court of the Sixth judicial
! district If Mr.. Padgett handles the
business of the bench with as much
ability and f1rmness as he displayed
in plotting the house through the pri-
mary fight, he will make successful
district judge. Mr.. Padgett is one of
the lawyers Of the house to whom the
| members turn when they wanted to
get some good, safe legal advice,
spiced with native shrewdness in
| legislative matters.
| The house committee on assess
ment and taxation held a long session
last night after the adjournment of
! the house. and heard the arguments
| of Cyrus Leland in favor of his bill
| W Mt fn
state tax commission. The committee
decided to report adversely on Mr.
| Leland's bill.
Tonight will take place the big joint
pow-wow of the banking committees
| Of house and senate, together with a
| large delegation of bankers from
various parts of the state who are
| opposed to the bank deposit guarantee
| plan This meeting eon1ght is in
tended chiefly to boom the Waggener-
Ham bill for the purpose of allowing
banks to form mutual companies for
! the purpose of insuring their own
deposits, and thereby sidetrack the
scheme for a state guarantee fund in
the state treasury. The chances are
mittees on banks and banking will
report adversely on the state bank
/ deposit guarantee bills, because these
committees are composed largely of
bankers.
Frank FARRELL, editor of the Holton
Signal, who is doing some work here
during the special session, received
yesterday from a subscriber in Port
land, Oregon, a Portland clearing
house certificate in payment of a sub
scription. That's about as bad as
taking in potatoes and cabbages on
subscription or even worse for it
couldn't be eaten.
The house did not begin its ses-
! sion this morning until 1890 in order