The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-18
WHAT 1T COST.
Statistics Being Gathered to
Get Facts About Primary.
Blanks Sent to County Clerk by
Secretary of State.
SEE A BUGABOO IN 1T.
Stubs People Fear Plan to
Abolish the System.
List of Questions That Are Be.
ing Sent Out.

1t is said that the recent primary
election cost the state over 100000,
and Secretary of State c.. E. Denton
is sending out letters to all the county
clerks in the state to find out exactly
what the expense was.
In Shawnee county the cost of the
primary was about $2,5OO. In the
average county of the state the cost
was probably between $1,000 and
$1,500. For the whole state the cost
will probably be between 100000
and 1000. At $150,0OO the people
of Kansas will doubtless consider the
primary good investment.
The politicians who are strongly in
favor of the primary law think they
see in Mr.. DentOnS effort to collect
statistics concerning the cost of the
primary law the beginning of a fight
to bring about the repeal of the law,
at the coming session of the legisla-
ture. They say that it is the purpose
is such a big expense that it will be
unpopular with the people.
County Clerk Zimmerman of Shaw
nee county was asked whether he had
received a copy of the request for in
formation and said:
ct received the list of questions
some days ago. have not replied to
it yet. 1 do not understand that
the information if they do not want
to. In Shawnee county the cost for
holding the primary will not exceed
$4,000, and will probably be close to
$4,000. 1t will be less expense than
the county primary used to be before
the law was enacted. In those days
the expense was paid by assessm ent
on the county candidates"
The following is a complete list of
the questions embodied in the request
T1f hXy 10
tary of state:
what was the cost in your county
of publishing for three consecutive
weeks in your official county paper no
tices of offices for which candidates
were nominated?
What were .sheriff's charges for post
ing notices of primary. ETC., in three
places in each voting precinct in the
county?
What was the cost of publishing for
three consecutive weeks in your official
county paper list of persons for whom
nomination papers were filed as per GER
tif1cates from this office as we'll as per
nomination papers filed with you?
What was the cost of township and
city clerks for posting notices in three
places in each voting precinct in your
county? Of unable to get exact figures
estimate total cost.
What was the cost of printing sep
arate official primary ticket for use at
the primary?
What was the cost of printing sam
pie official ticket upon tinted or colored
paper?
What was the cost of Q) preparing
voting places and booths; 2, delivery
ballots at all voting places; 3, poll books
for each voting precinct; 4, preparing
and posting instructions to voters in
each precinct; 5. three judges OF cleo
ton in each precinct; 6, two clerks OF
election In each precinct?
What was the cost of delivering prl-
mary election returns from all precincts
to you?
what was the cost of canvass1ng re-
turns by county canvassers?
what do you estimate the cost OF
postage, including registered mail, and
all other minor and incidental expenses
in connection with the primary law to
have been in your countyY