The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-13
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES.

Why was it that Colonel Roosevelt
j did not suggest the holding of pref
erential presidential primaries in
1904 when he was a candidate for the
Republican presidential nomination?
Why was it that Colonel Roosevelt
did not suggest the holding of prefer
entail presidential primaries in 1908
when William H. Taft was his candi-
date for the Republican presidential
nomination?
Are any conditions prevailing now
adays which would make such prima-
ries any more essential that did not
prevail in those days? making nomi-
nations by primaries of the direct sort
were no new thing in 1908, at least.
If Colonel Roosevelt did not think
that preferential presidential prim-
airy was righteous necessity in 1908,
is there any particular reason why
he should think that such a primary
is a righteous necessity now, unless
it be that his own chances for obtain
ing the Repu blican presidential nom
ination would be better were such
primaries held generally throughout
the country? And is that valid ex-
cuse for injecting them at an eleventh
hour into a most important campaign
for the presid entail nomination?
There is good reason to doubt that
it is, even on the part of those who
are firm believers in primaries for the
making of all sorts of nominations
President Taft has gone on record as
being in favor of the theory of prefer
entail presidential primaries. So are
most men interested in the settlement |
of all public questions in a way that is |
honest and fair to every one. But is |
it reasonable to insist that presidential |
primaries should be held in any state |
where there are not legal provisions
for the safeguarding of their conduct /
in every possible way?
And again, why do Colonel Roose- |
Welt and his assistant champions of |
the people confine their energies to
bringing about presidential primaries
merely for the Republican party?
Why don't they demand that the
Democratic voters in every state be
given an opportunity to express their
preferences in the matter of the pres
idential candidates in that party
There are a few million Democratic
voters in this country. IF it is right
that their Republican brethren select
their presidential candidate by pri-
mary, and primary alone, why isn't it
|
should select their presidential can
didate in the same way.
For instance, Governor Hadley of
Missouri, IS encouraging in every pos
sible way the holding of Republican
presidential primaries in his state. He
insists that it is the only way in which
the delegates from Missouri to the
Republican national convention can be
selected in a fair and square manner
and in way that will express the SEN
timents of the Republican voters of
that state. Presumably Governor
HadIey considers himself the chief ex-
ecutive of the whole people of Mis-
souri,. Among them is goodly pro-
portion of Democrats. In fact the
Democrats have predominated in Mis-
souri, in times past. Why doesn't
Governor Hadle1 show the same solic-
tous regard for the holding of Demo-
cratic presidential primaries in his
state so that the Democrats of Mis-
souri, can say by their votes who is {
heir choice for the Democratic presi ]
lential nomination? Why doesn't Gov
,rnor Stubs, who is ardent for Re
publican presidential primaries in
Kansas, show the same concern for
he holding Of Democratic presidential =
primaries?
These questions at least suggest !
hat there are motives behind the I
present movement for the holding of
presidential primaries t
way and beyond the righteousness of c
uch a plan for the selection of dele
rates to a national convention. /