The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-14
Senator Curtis FavOrS an Open
National Convention.
UninStructed Delegation From
Kansas, His Plan.
DELEGATES VOTE THEIR CHOICE
Other States Will Adopt Plan
Proposed by Curtis.
Makes Uncertain Result =
BOrah Is Out of 1t?

kansas will send an uninStructeG
delegation to the Republican national
convention in 1916, according to the
belief of Charles Curtis, United States
senator. Because she has no favorite
son, Curtis believes that Kansas will
enter the next national convention
free to choose and act as she desires
and will be in a position to support
any of the dozen presidential posi-
bilities.
TT is most likely that Kansas will
send an uninstructed delegation to
the Republican presidential conven-
t1on, Senator Curtis told the State
Journals Washington correspondent
The sentiment is strong for the open
convention idea. The way to facilitate
its execution is to leave the delegates
unfettered by Instructions
Our people are convinced the Re-
publicans will sweep the country in
from Kansas. For that reason they
desire candidate In sympathy with
the industrial, a gricultural and finan-
cial interests of the nation and to be
man of sound judgment and an ad-
vocate of wise and constructive poll
cies. ~
Another argument for an unin-
structed delegation is the fact that
there is such an abundance or preS1-
dental timber availa bic in the Repub-
ican leadership. All the tentative
candidates have friends IN Kansas. We
believe that the convention, which
promises to be one of the most
notable in the annals of the party will
methods and, after calm elaboration,
will select the man, whom the rank
and file of the delegates, representing
the best thought of their districts. will
consider to be the strongest candi-
date before the people.
Other States Favor Plan.
1t is believed by Republicans of
prominence here that the plan of Kan
sas for an uninstructed delegation will
be followed in many states which are
not hampered by "favorite son." or
tied up with the primary law. The
best judgment is that a majority of
the delegates will go to the conven-
ton unshackled by definite instruc-
lions.
In several states the combination
of favorite son and presidential pri-
mary promises to be embarrassing.
Ohio is an acute instance. The dele
cation will be chosen by primaries
and the voters will be called upon to
decide between instructing for Her
rick, Burton, Governor Willis and
Senator Harding In Illinois the voters
Mann, Senator Sherman and Congress
man William B. Mckinley.
This situation is expected to clarity
itself by the presentation of oppor--
much trading" 1t is said that the
Fairbanks people are already counting
on benefiting by the divided house
hold in Illinois. Being next door
neighbor and granted that the senti-
ment of the state was divided among
the three native sOns-Mckinley,
Sherman and Mann-the Fairbanks
folk are already planning to annex
Illinois to their boom. The same hope
is entertained as to Ohio, growing out
of a similar situation.
Borah Out of 1t?
One of the most interesting topics
in political circles is that Senator
Borah of Idaho-a former Kansan-
may not be a candidate for the presi-
Dental nomination. 1t is said that he
has recently expressed to some of his
friends a disposition to make an an
nouncement to that effect, but has
been dissuaded. The opinion is strong
among the Republican progressives
that the convention is hardly likely to
go west of the Mississippi river for a
candidate, in view of the propaganda
by the business interests. 1t is said by
Senator Borah's friends that unless
there is a disposition to give the west
look-in, with a tryout of several
names, he probably will not encourage
efforts in his behalf.