The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-27
Democrats Saving Wood for
Their Platform Today.
Very Little Friction in Choice
of Progressive Planks.
MURPHY is THE CHAIRMAN
Grant Harrington of Kansas
City Chosen Secretary.
Party Council Was in Action
Late This Afternoon.

| At a late hour this afternoon the
members of the Democratic party
! council, coatless and collars melted to
TIE shirt bands, were tearing a num-
Der of existing state laws to shreds
and placing themselves on record con-
corning the platform they will support
at the election this fall.
The party council did not convene
until $3.50 o'clock this afternoon after
the election of chairman, secretary
and platform committee, Immediately
after the adjournment of the state
central committee this noon.
Grant Harrington of Kansas City
was elected temporary secretary at
the opening of the party council Ed
ward Murphy of Leavenworth was
made chairman.
The following committee on plat
form was selected:
First district. B. Chapman, Atch-
ison; George Hartman, Valley Falls
Second district-Grant w. Harring-
ton, Kansas City; George Hodges
Olathe.
Erie; F. NJ. Brady. Parsons.
Fourth Dissatisfaction Riddle,
| Marion; F. M. Patterson, Yates Gem
Fifth district-W. F. Grosser, Sa-
lima; John Winter, Manhattan.
Sixth district-E. H. Benson, Colby;
J. W. Schlicher, Hoxie.
Seventh district-G. w. Neeley,
Hutchinson; w. H. Thompson, Gar
den City.
Eighth district. ]. Sippy, Well
ington; Warren Knaus, Mcpherson.
After Inheritance Law.
The first action of the Democrats
this afternoon was to chop huge
chunks from the Republican inherit
ance tax law. The Democrats did not
want it thought that they followed out
the advice of Governor Stubs and
adopted certain amendments to the
inheritance, but they carried out
long-felt want in the state. according
to their ideas-made the limit of the
tax $4,000 estate instead of the $4,000
estate as it stands.
The primary law as it stands today
was another goat of the Democratic
party council. AT late hour the re-
vision of this law is not complete, hut
it appears that the primary voting
system will bear a new complexion
when the Democrats finish it today.
The Democrats want to give every
voter a chance to vote, whether for
Democrat, Republican, Socialist, Pro-
hibitionist or independent. They have
very little use for the law that makes
it necessary for a man to affiliate
with only one party at the primaries.
The followers of Woodrow Wilson
have few ideas on the supreme court
that they want the dear people to
know. AS it is the supreme court is
composed of the members of one
party. The Democrats don't like It
and they are not backward in their
remarks. They will adopt in their
afternoons platform a plank that Ell
limit the membership to but four of
one party-the other three members
of another political faith.
1--WE want to know more about the
supreme court" said Taylor Riddle of
Marion.
Popular Senatorial Vote.
On the United States senatorial cleo
tion-the Democrats will take this
stand: Let the majority rule. The man
who is given the popular vote shall be
the nominee of the party. No legisla-
tive districts for the Democrats. The
last election brought this to their at
tention.
The war on nomination petitions was
being waged by National Committee
man Sapp and Taylor Riddle before
the party council this afternoon. From
the sentiment throughout the Auditor
ium-it is apparent that the Demo
Gratis can see little advantage in pc
titions.
Other planks, including a good roads
state control clause and many like pro-
gressive measures are being discuss
ed.
The Democrats are working together
this afternoon-they have forgotten the
tilt between the HendersonMartin and
Sam Graybi1l forces in the chairman
ship fight this noon. They are all nail
ing, saving, planning and leveling the
platform and little friction appears.