The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-05
CHAPTER xxx.
IA Primary or Not: what's the Differ
ence to Taft; and other subjects

ence to Taft: and other subjects
The State Journal is glad to see that
David Mulvane. the Republican ma
tional committeeman from Kansas,
agrees with this paper in connection
with the statement made Monday in
the previous Chapter, 10 the effect that
SO far as Taft is concerned, it does not
make any difference whether the dele
gates to the Republican national con-
venticn next year are chosen by the
convention plan or by the primary.
Mr. Mulvane is one of the shrewdest
politicians in the state; occupies a high
position on the national committee and
has been successfully entrusted in the
past with most important work of that
organization detailed to sub-commit-
tees: Missouri went Republican, for
instance
In another part of this paper is
printed an interesting interview with
the national committeeman, wherein
lie refers to a "Reminiscences of the
campaign Of 1908, well worthy Of re
rusal.
Mr.. Mulvane's principal objection to
a primary is set forth in his statement
that in the regulations of the primary
as ordinarily held, there is the failure
to require registration and declaration
of party principles in advance.
This allows as Mr.. Mulvane well
| states, Democrats to have hand in
Republican nominations and vice versa.
With this safe guard attached, my
| principal objection is eliminated" 1t
is a well known political fact that even
where primaries are held under speci-
fc law that Democrats vote at Repub-
|
at Democratic primaries,
| 1t is recognized that it is a very diff
ficult proposition to regulate this and
if Governor Stubs should call spe-
cial session for the purpose of helping
LaFollette's chances, or for any other
| purpose including as he may think
an effort to get an exact expression
| of the people themselves, the COVER
nor must bear in mind that he may
get a law which will not prevent Re
publicans from voting at Democratic
| primaries nor Democrats voting at
| Republican primaries. Indeed, it is
not clear. that Governor Stubbs real
" wants this sort of law; in tact,
there are certain insurgents that
might like to vote at Democratic pri-
mary if the Democrats should decide
on one, and try to nominate Wilson.
In regard to the expense of "a prl-
mary. and the absence of the necessity
of calling together the great machin-
ery Of the legislature. and thereby
onen,ng up every known question in
poljtical. economical, social and bust
ness subjects for the law makers to
discuss and enact upon, there is this
to be said: the expense may be and
/ oil
clerks can be found who will serve
without pay.
Certain politicians. not to say
statesmen. can serve their country or
save it. in no more practical way than
saving their locality the expense of
their necessary services. and the
granting of their time. which other
wise might often be spent less profit
ably.
one principle item of expense would
be the printing. but that would be
slight. for each congressional district
for there would be probably but twelve
names to be voted upon in the state
Republican primary. There would be
two men to be selected as delegates tc
the convention from each congress
sfonal district, and four men from the
state at large. This would make sis
men with maybe twelve candidates
Then there would be the alternates
The expense for the entire district
would be very slight. say probably $50
a county
When the insurgents set the ex-
pense of a little congressional primary
where only one man was running al
three thousand dollars they set pace
in one of the most shameless pieces OF
= bad political machine methods pos
sible. The insurgents ought to ge
down on their knees and pray for for
giveness for sacrificing their principles
for this man Guyer, who was easy tol
Taggart, a Democrat. to beat
For a practical illustration on g
primary vote: a Seventh district pri-
mary where the expense for Reno
county was less than SIS, the judges
and clerks working for nothing
) The ill-advised and ill-advisini
friends Of Labor, that is, those wh'
in authority passed as such friends
will long remember this day, when th'
contemptibles McNamaras, who ha'
been posing. in their shameless hypoc
risy. as martyrs to the great cause o
labor. which they heinously betrayed
received their sentence.
President Taft set fine example
, today in sending his annual messag
to congress as an exposition and ex
ploitation OF his ideas on the one grea
r subject of the antitrust statute, o
sherman act
It is certainly splendid new ide;
, that he sets, in clearly stating hi
) views and recommendations upon on
! theme Of paramount business and pc
liticaI Importance to this country.
r He does not mix up his views an