The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-02

| lican party and that he alone remains
of all those who went out with him
i Mr.. Harrison was not surprised at
the desertion of Mr.. Ryan from the
I emocratic ranks. The latter had
shown symptoms" for some time
Mr. Harrison sums up the situation
| in this clever fashion:
IF we want reform and high taxes,
vote for Stubs; if we want more re-
| form and higher taxes, vote for Hodges.
| The people of Kansas are in no need of
either reform or higher taxes. They
have had too much of both. What we
need is a reduction of taxes and cur
tailment of state expenses all along
the line. Mr.. Stubs and Mr.. Hodges
are neither Republicans or Democrats,
but rather they stand for Populism.
Just why intelligent men should advo-
cate Populism at this time with hogs
selling for $40 per hundred is extremely
hard for a man of common intelligence
to understand.
1.-The Sixth district is surely entitled
to a candidate for governor therefore.
until a. better Democratic candidate for
governor than I am comes forward, /
WILL with what physical and financial
strength as possess, continue the can
vass with unabating faith until the
closing of the polls on primary day.
Looking to the Giver of every perfect
gift for strength and to the people of
Kansas for support, I hereby declare
my candidacy for the Democratic nom
ination for governor of Kansas"
State Senator John d. Myers of jack
son county favors the appointment of
all state and county officials possible
and thereby shorten the ballot and get
better men in office. He will offer sew
eral amendments to the constitution
along this line at the next session of
the legislature. Speaking of his plan,
Senator Myers said:
1.-The last legislature wisely enacted
laws providing the commission form or
government for cities, thereby enabling
cities to have better government, and
the next legislature should carry on
further this progressive legislation and
make provision for the betterment of
government both for counties and the
state. 1t is proposed to shorten the
ballot by eliminating therefrom all Of
fees the duties of which are merely ad-
rninistrative or clerical. There will be
retained thereon only those Offices. the
duties of which are executive, judicial
OF legislative and those Offices with the
power of public prosecution"
In order to clearly set forth the pro-
posed changes it is the intention of
Senator Myers to classify the off1ces m
the following manner:
Elect-Governor, lieutenant COVER
nor, attorney general, superintendent
of public instruction. justices of the
supreme court.
Appoint-Se Secretary of state, state
treasurer, state auditor superintendent
of insurance. state printer, railroad
commissioners.
Eiect-District judges, board of
county ommissioners. county attorney,
probate Judge sheriff. superintendent
of schools, senators and representa-
Appoint-C1erk of district court.
county clerk, county treasurer, regis
ter of deeds. assessor. surveyor, coro-
ner.
"Fundamenfallv every office is not
an elective office" continues Senator
Myers Elective offices should be re-
stricted to those which possess power
or function to be controlled by ques-
lions of public policy. Political issues
should be centered OF those offices
which exert power. The voter should
be confined to -he issue important with
no illusory side issue. Only in this
manner may the people govern eff
consideration of the voter to the
scramble for an Office with only c1er-
zeal duties and you largely lessen eff
fective. honest and economical govern
ment.
'eThe tenure of an office of merely
administrative clerical duties or
possessing duties requiring expert
abilities. on every reason of principle
is appointive. Why should a county
clerk or a register of deeS be elected ?
Why should the secretary of state or
state printer be elected? Clamoring
for these Offices of a merely appointive
nature simply clouds the true issues
before the voter The county board is
a body of executive, judicial and ad-
ministrative powers. It is the govern