Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-05-31
AS TO THE ELECTION OF
A UNITED STATES SENATOR

In our last issue we called atten
ton to the Oregon system Of elect
ing United States senators, now IL
operation in this state, and to the
fact that many candidates for eithel
branch Of the legislature were over
looking that fact. An who have ia
ken an interest in public affairs in
this state for the past ten years
know that the Democratic party has
advocated this proposition In every
campaign. 1t was by the practically
unanimous vote Of the Democratic
members Of the house that this bill
was passed through the last legisla
ture. This week Gov. Stnbbs addres-
sed a telegram to the various candi.
dates for United States senator, ask.
ing them to cooperate with him in
having candidates for legislative 20
sitions file their petitions under this
law. Senator Farrealy, Judge Bond,
and Judge Thompson, three Of the
Democratic candidates for this posi-
ton, having already advocated t.
their friends this system, we're, Of
course, willing to have this done
Senator Curtis, the other Republican,
candidate, besides Stubs, and Judge
Allen, the other Democratic candi-
date, had not been heard from at
the time this article was written
The three Democratic candidates had
preceded Gov. Stubbs in this matter,
hence were In Mne with the idea.
So far In this county, petitions
have only been filed for Fred zuta'
vern, as a candidate for representa-
tive on the Democratic ticket, but
in his petitions, or rather in the pc
tihons that have been filed for him,
no reference whatever is made to
either kind Of statement to be made
under this law. ...
In this connection, further, we
think Mayor Billiard of Topeka, one
of the Democratic candidates for
governor, has made serious mistake
In an interview he stated as fol
lows:
II am disgusted-absolutely dis
gusted-with the Democrats in Kan
sas who are promising Stubs to
support the man who receives the
most votes for United States senator.
l can't see their idea. l don't under
stand their reason. It is ridiculous.
The Democrats will have five men in
the field for senatorship. The Rep
ublicans only two. 1t stands to rea-
son that a republican will be given
the most votes. Why a Democrat
should allow himself to be dragged
into the Stubs net in such an easy
fashion, can't and won't pretend to
understand"
Mr.. Billiard Is lamentably ignorant
of the law, or has been miSQuotedi
The case as he puts 1t cannot exist
Under this law each party makes a
nomination for United States senator
just as was done in the 1908 cam
paign, under the present primary law
Then the nominee of each party goes
to the official state ticket, just the
same as the nominee for governor
or any other state officer. Then,
those who have signd staetemnet
No. 1 will vote, regardless Of pod
tics, for the candidate who received
the largest number Of votes. There
will be but one Democrat and one
Republican In the field, and which,
ever one gets the greater vote, Is
the candidate OF those who sign NO
/. We have been asking for the
election Of senators by direct vote
Tor a long time and this Is as neal
as It can be had until the amnedmen
to the federal constitution just pas
sed by congress Is adopted ard made
a part Of the organic law of the land
Mr.. Billiard Is off his base, and In
opposing this proposition, is opposing
good democratic doctrine. 1t was thr'
lust such a law as this that the re
publican legislature Of Oregon elect
ed Democratic United States sena
tor in the person Of former Govern
or Chamberlain. The law is all right
and every candidate for a legislative
position should file under one or The
other of the statements.