The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-05
AT THE CAPITAL
Three Governors Who Are Re-
garded as Coming Men.
They Are Stubs, Hughes and
Herbert Hadley.
is MORE IMPORTANT.
Position of State Executive Re-
garded as More Exalted.
Kansas Governor Studying Ore
gOn Primary Law.

the Oregon primary election law. He
had interviews with number of peo-
pie who have had to do with promotion
of the primary election idea, and made
plain to them that he was seeking the
best in primary selection of party can
didates, with a view to recommending
lit to his states legislature.
Governor Stubs and Governor
Hughes, along with Governor-elect Her
bert S Hadley of Missouri, are just
now looked upon as the foremost rising
lights among the group of progressive
governors. The governor business mas
1had something of a setback lately De
cause of the tendency to send the pro
| gressiVe governors to the United states
senate. But the states in good many
cases have risen to the situation by
finding new radicals to select for the
Executive chair.
Hughes in New York. Stubs in kan
| sas Hadley in Missouri, Dineen in IL
linois, Johnson in Minnesota, are gong
| to be watched with the greatest inter,
/ est in the next two years because an
these men are looked upon as possible
presidential timber for 1912, and also be-
cause these anen are all rated as nkely
United States senators Wlthln the mex
few years. The governorship of state
has become-the accepted pedestal from
which to step over to the Senatorlal
distinction.
The lower house of congress, until a
few wears ago was the favorite re-
cruiting ground for senators. But since
the house has fallen under the guns
of the muckrakers, and has come to
be criticised violently as an unpopular
institution, fewer senators have been
coming up from that body. A senator
said the other day that he guessed II
a man should rush in on the moor OF
the senate and shout, Hello, COVER
nor!'' he would raise about half the
members from their seats.
The decadence of the house in popu-
lar esteem has had much to do with
making the governorship a stepping
stone for ambition; but beyond TINS Is
that act capitalizes his acquaintance
with the people and cultivating their
good graces. He lives among them all
the time, while the senator or congress
man gets close to the people OF only
single district at best.
1t is this rise of the gubernatorial
position in distinction that to consid-
crab extent accounts for the tenden-
cies to popularize the election and the
nomination of senators. The governor |
who has an ambition for the senate, |
and who appreciates the possibilities OF
his position, naturally has an idea that |
he would come nearest to winning II ne |
had a popular primary election law.
No sooner. figured out than recommend |
ed The governor suggests to the legls-
Iature that it pass such an act, and the
legislature does IL 1neD TIE SONCAAl Ol
runs for the senate under by virtue of
that act captalizes his acquaintance |
and touch with the people and wins.
Governor Stubs, for instance, has a |
notion that the Oregon primary law is
about the thing Kansas needs. NO
body knows that Governor Stubbs in
tends to run for the senate against
Charley Curtis at the end of four years;
but if he does so intend, ne VIII help
his own cause by advocating popular
primary.
Nebraska is expected to pass the
oregon law this winter, but whether
Mr.. Bryan will be a candidate for the
senate under it is by no means GER
tain. Mr.. Bryan has had some de-
voted and loyal supporters in his own
state to whom the senate would look i
inviting, and there is report that the
Commoner will stand aside and let
one of these run for the upper cham-
Der
Governor Hughes of New York is
pressing for primary election act
this winter. and the Empire states
national significance, because if New
York shall pass such a law the other
eastern and New England states will
be encouraged to greater exertions in
this direction. the primary law mas
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
fuenced by New York. In the EN-
pire state the politicians admit that
such a law would lead to a pretty
complete new deal in politics, man
at the head of the new organization. !
In fact, a good many people see in ,
his advocacy of such a law the evil
dence that Hughes has ambitions be-
tnrial az !
think that without such an act Root
will continue the boss of the state af-
ter Hughes retires from the execu-
tive office; whereas, if Hughes is able
to pass the primary act it will make
him the biggest man in the state, the
senator to succeed Depew, and the
states candidate for president in the
next contest whether that be four or
eight years hence.
Washington politicians generally do
not approve the primary idea. Wash :
ngton got into Office by old methods; ,
with which it is familiar
and whose efficiency it understands
1t has more confidence in continuing
under the old plan than under any ~
new-fangled one; and so it is against !
But the reports from the :
country lead inevitably to the con- :
elusion that the primary is gaining :
strength with the people. and that
number of states are likely to enroll
themselves under its banner this win
ter. D.;
The oregon plan of e1ecting Omitted {
States senators, likewise, is gaining a
favor with the people in about the I
proportion that it is losing with the c
politicians in Washington The /
Oregon plan has the support of ac- t
tive and earnest organiza tions in a
score of states. and everything in T
1icates that it is going to be stronger T
than weaker because of Oregon's ex- /
Derience of electing a Democratic SEN {
ltor in a strongly Republican state. ]
The growing feeling of partisan in t