The Topeka state journal., 1913-12-13

1t sees at TO take exception. the Topeka
Capital says:
IA local newspaper says OF Rresi-
dent Wilson'S rule. which he announced
to the suffrage leadsss. that he can
not throw responsibility for his pri-
mary domination scheme onto his plat
form. But Mr. Wilson n moro familiar
with his platform than the newspaper
critic. The direct primary principle II
In the Baltimore platform. ~ big AZ
life. How could It have been otherwise.
that convention meeting immediately
after ths chicago hxxlef''
This criticism IL aimed At remarks
appearing ir these columns suggesting
that President Wilson II not consist
ent follower Of his rule Al announced
to the woman's suffrage leaders that he
did not consider It within his province
to urge matters ON congress that
had not been organically con-
sidered by his party and that
were not involved in the election
promises Of the party. 1t was pointed
out here that the president had just
previously made an exception to this
rule when he had urged congress to
provide legislation which would do
away with the national conventions as
they are now constituted ~ TO their
and substitute for them
conventions that should consist OF the
nominees for the house Of representa-
ttves. the nominees for vacancies to
the United States senate. the United
States senators In ONCE. the members
OF the >national committees ana the
nominees for the presidency and the
vice presidency. This. 1t was held and
most correctly. n . suggested political
reform that has not been considered
orkanicaily or in any other way by the
Democratic party. NOR IL 1t one OF tnas
party's election promises.
It n q separate and distinct PROPOSE
ton from presidential primaries, anu
no possible stretch Of the imagination
could construe anything that appeared
in this paper,s discussion Of the matter
under consideration ~ suggesting that
President Wilson In urging presidential
primaries was premulgatins q propoa-
ton that had not been put forward ana
endorsed by the Democratic party.
But 1t that, az q. matter of fact,
there IL q very considerable divergence
between President wilson's suggestion
for presidential primaries and the or
ranic announcement Of the Democratic
party, and its last election promise 10
the people In this particular.
IT urge the enactment" said Presi-
dent Wilson in his annual address 10
congress, ''of prompt legislation which
viii provide for primary elections
the country at which the
voters OF the several parties may choose
their nominees for the presidency with
out the intervention OF nominating
conventions" This. Of course n q
suseestion for national legislation that
win provide for such presidential pri-'
maries 10
such a standf Has II urBed such ma
tionai legislation7 DID It make such
an election promise to the people7 AS
suredly Il did not. For here Is the
presidential primary plank from the
Democratic national platform that was
adopted It the Baltimore convention
ana ON which President Wilson cam
paigned for odice:
: .sThe movement toward more popu-
lar government should be promoted
through legislation in each state which
will permit the expression Of the pre-
ference of the electors for national
candidates at presidential primaries.
kAAA tHA n.
mittee incorporate in the call for the
next nominating convention a require
ment that all expressions of preference
for presidential candidates shall be
given and the selection Of delegates
and alternates made through q primary
collection conducted by the party or
ganixation in each state where such
expression and election are not pro-
vided for by state laws.
committeeman who are hereafter to
constitute the Democratic national
committee and whose election is not
provided for by law shall be chosen in
each state at such primary elections
and service and authority Of commit
teemen. however chosen. shall begin
Immediately upon the receipt Of their
credentials"
Certainly there IL nothing In this
plank which commits the Democratic
party to Congressional legislation that
will provide for presidential primaries.
or to a reconstruction OF the national
conventions along the lines urged by
President Wilson.
HIS BEST CHRISTMAS.
The American Magazine has been Of
fering prizes for the. best letters en-
titled MY Best Christn1as.'' The
prize-winning letters are published in
the December number. The following