The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-05

WOFIH, Iney are q mere waste VI WOIus
if the people are determined to con-
tinue the present direct primary meth
DDS for state and federal nomination
and continue to combine them with
their county primaries, and so take the
not remote chance of destroying party
rule in both the states and the nation.
But under the general county and
convention primary plan that has been.
here outlined in skeleton, and which is
no more than a combination of the
first primary systems that some states
tried, before the direct primary was
born, for the organization of city,
county and state conventions; and a
general county primary of a similar
type to the commission form of gov
eminent primary; with the separation.
of course, of the convention primary
from the general county primary even
If they are held on the same day
under this general county and conven-
ton primary plan, there would be no
need for any man to sail under false
colors in the matter of primary voting.
Some Democrats are outspokenly
proud, or have nothing for which to
apologize. because of their courage to
enter a Republican primary to regis
Ter their preference among the candi-
dates of that party for particular
office. or several of them; or to help
q personal friend in the Republican
party attain a nomination, and espec-
tally as they realize that the successful
candidates of their own party, If there
should happen to be contest in their
own party primary, which there sell
dom is hereabouts, have no chance of
victory at the general election.
Others. when caught in the act by
an acquaintance at the polls, either
another voter or clerk or judge on
the election board, seem to act trifle
shame-faced about it.
Others, still, call their party breth-
rem who do it traitors to their party.
These latter critics, too. are, those
with sufficient discernment to see the
handwriting on the wall which tells
plainly that the destruction of party
rule in the states and the nation is
inevitable if the present primary
methods are continued. and perhaps
developed further along the lines they
now follow.
If, however, the people are reluc-
tant to return to any kind of a con-
vention system for the nomination of
candidates for state and federal Of
fices, even though such conventions
be organized through a primary that
10 f,g,
ably representative of the rank and
file of the voters of a party; and II
they are DESTROYS of going on with
, the direct primary nomination of state
and federal candidates, regardless OF
the danger that such direct primaries
may eventually obliterate party lines
and party rule in the states and ma
ton, and to which end they have al
ready worked locally there is yet the
alternative of direct primaries for the
| nomination of state and federal can.
didates
But 1t would appear that such state
and federal primaries should be made
! mediums for nominations that are sep
arate and distinct from general, OF
no-party primary for county and other
local nominations, and it would be per.
fectly feasible to conduct such a state
primary at the same time that the
general county primary is held.
This might serve TO keep the local
influences that are disintegrating the
party primaries of today from the
| breaking down of party lines that is sc
apparent and pronounced under the
present primary system, ana have g
tendency to maintain at least a mea.
sure Of party rule for state and fed.
era1 affairs
Such separate state primaries, more
ever. should be made party primarie.
in the strictest sense of the word ant
by the application of some REASONABLE.
test to the party affiliations or incli
nations of the voter, and there SHOULD
also be similar test, or requirement
Tor the party allegiance or Alignment
of those who might become candidate,
at such separate state primary.
And what's the use. ANYHOW n
party labels in primary for count,
offices?
Are they any more desirable in thi
field than they are in the municipa
| arena?
Their elimination from the lattel
under the commission form of govern
ment plan is gradually also eliminatin,
the wrong kind of politics and part,
rule from city affairs
So. why not expe1 the party stripe
and labels from all local affairs
Another outstanding feature of tn
recent primary and the campaign pre-
ceding 1t was the general apath,
displayed by the voters. The candi
dates were assuredly active enough
and were as omnipresent as they wer
numerous.