Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-26
Real Local Option in Politics
Out Kansas Way.
SUBMITTED TO COUNTIES
Each to Determine Whether or Not
Primary Shall Rule.
TAFT WINNING VOTES DAILY
Representative Anthony Says Farm
ers Are Afraid Of Roosevelt.
Situation in Other States.

Representative Anthony of Kansas has
introduced into the politics Of that state
through the republican state committee
a new plan Of selecting delegates to
congressional and state conventions. He
told President Taft about 1t today, hav-
ing returned from a trip to Kansas,
where the Taft and Roosevelt men have
been clashing at every turn. Mr.. An
thony remained in the state three weeks.
There is no state law In Kansas pro-
viding for presidential preferential pri-
maries. The Roosevelt people, led by
Gov. Stubs. who has been Issuing ap-
peals to the common people at the rate
Of ten to the day for some weeks, urged
straight primaries, each county to find
Some way of meeting tn. expense and
fixing regulations that would permit Of
some fairness.
The republican state committee was in
dilemma, when Mr.. Anthony proposed
that each county be allowed to decide for
itself whether 1t wanted to act under the
primary plan or under the existing sys-
tenn In that state. The state committee
adopted the Anthony plan.
Real Local Option.
IT do not know a more democratic way
of letting the people decide for them
selves what they want said Mr.. An
thony. referring to the option plan. cit
is real local option. The first primary
under this plan will be held Thursday in
Leavenworth county. my district. 80 far
the Roosevelt people have not ventured
to put q ticket in the field in that county.
and If they do they will be licked to
finish All this Juror about Kansas be-
ing for Roosevelt is largely froth, sam
pies Of which have been copious recently.
president Taft will have the delegates
districts Of the state and will get the four
delegates at large. People away from
Kansas cannot appreciate the great
change of sentiment there. The farmers
are turning to Taft by the hundreds and
thousands. Roosevelt was a hero in
and then the people became frightened at
the possibility Of his returning to power
and at the thought that there is only one
man who has the country's interests at
heart. who has any sympathy for the
people, who Is honest enough to rule
without being Influenced by the dragon Of
special privilege and intrenched predatory
wealth and power"
Conditions in Southern Ohio.
Sherman Mcpherson, United States at
torney at Cincinnati, said at the White
House today that President Taft need
have no fear OF results in southern Ohio.
II am not acquainted with conditions In
other parts Of the state" said Mr.. Nc
Pherson. but I think I do know what
they are In my part Of the state In the
first and second congressional districts.
composed OF Hamilton county, there will
be no opposition to the President, and I'm
other sections Of southern Ohio 1t is prac-
tically the same"
"A telegram received from Georgia to-
day stated that the second congressional
district of that state held its convention
this morning and Instructed two dele
gates to stand by Taft. This gives the
President 153 delegates to date, most of
them Instructed and few Of them con-
tested.
Secretary Knox has made engagements
to speak twice in San Francisco, May 7
and 8. The first speech will be before
business men. on The Panama Canal
The second speech will be before the Taft
Club, and will be political
Representative Davidson OF Wisconsin
called on President Taft and the State
killing in China Of Burt Hicks, an Oshkosh,
Wis, man. The administration will Sc
cure all the information possible as to
the circumstances and the shipment of
the body to this country.
No Successor to DR.. Wiley.
At the cabinet meeting today President
Taft and Secretary Wilson did not agree
upon a successor to DR.. Wiley as chief
Of the pure food bureau of the Depart
ment of Agriculture. They discussed the
matter. it is ascertained, but not so far
as to pick man. The President does
not want TO hasten the matter. He wants
to know everything possible about the
men who have been recommended to him.
Even after he has made a choice he will
set on foot an investigation of the candf-
date so as to confirm previous reports.
Both the President and Secretary Wilson
want a man who will stay in the depart
ment and attend to his business, it is said.
They do not want public lecturer or
platform orator.