The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-29
THE PRIMARY.

Surprises at primaries and elections
are always in order when political
alignments are obliterated. And SO. in
one way, there is nothing much to be
wondered at in the fact that Mr.. Bill
lard secured the high honors in the
mayoralty nominating contest which
was decided yesterday. 1t would ap-
pear, though, that the fine record
which Mr.. Green has made in the
mayors chair during the past three
years was worthy of a larger endorse
ment than he received. It must be
remembered, however, that Mr.. Green
was called upon to divide his strength
with the other candidate in the race,
Mr.. Kemper, whose personal following
in the city Is a large one. Both men
campaiEned on identical issues.
The fact that Mayor Green came out
second best in the right kind Of a
nominating convention. where the
whole people of the city participated,
does not necessarily mean his defeat
on next Tuesday. when the formal
election will be held. Mr.. Kemper will
not be in the contest then and it is
reasonable to assume that the bulk of
his vote will find its way to Mr.. Green
Mr.. Billiard had large plurality yes
be impossible for Mr.. Green to over
come. The contest will be most in
teresting one, and whichever way it is
finally decided Topeka will have
good man in the mayors chair. Mr..
Green's worth as a public servant is
known quantity. Mr.. Billiard has
achieved distinction in the business
world and is a man of high attain
ments. His personal integrity Is of
the unQuestioned sort. He is a re-
specter of law and order and many in
dividuals who have voted for him with
the idea that his election will mean a
wide-open town, liquorally speaking,
are likely to get sadly fooled in the
event of his elevation to the mayor
atty. Nobody who knows Mr.. Billiard
will believe that he will disregard any
of the laws, and then there is a state
administration which has a habit of
making 1t mighty uncomfortable for
mayors who look lightly on the pro-
hibitory statute. Nor must the fact
be lost sight of that county officials
are still on deck who have a mind to
see that all the laws are enforced. If
anybody has an idea that Topeka is
soon going to be infested with openly
run Joints, no matter how the election
of Tuesday comes out. he is counting
his chickens before they are Matched.
There were also many surprises in
the results of the nominating for the
commissionerships. Not the least of
these were that three of the success
full candidates, Jordan, Holman and
Fink. come from the First ward, which
is also the home ward of Mr.. Billiard.
1t is not likely, though, that when the
final election comes the people of the
city will make up the new city govern
ment almost exclusively of men from
one ward, regardless of the excellent
showing made by these candidates at
the primary. The fact that among
those nominated for commissioners are
several capable men who have had
considerable experience in the conduct
of municipal affairs speaks well for
the intelligent manner in which the
voters discharged their duties yester-
day. A commission made up entirely
of inexperienced men would probably
not be the best sort of a one with
which to establish the new system of
municipal government.