The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-28
MUST FIND A WAY
New Basis of Representation in
Republican Convention.
System for Kansas Counties
Here Tomorrow.
TROUBLE OVER FEMALE VOTE
Fair Organization Must Include
Men and Women.
Demand for Early Convention
by Both Elements.
TROUBLE OVER FEMALE VOTE

Basis of representation in the ap-
preaching Republican state conven-
ton is matter of concern to politi-
clans in Topeka today. Strange mat
ter to puzzle over, it seems. Yet po-
litical situations in Kansas during two
previous state wide campaigns have
disturbed the political map in a way
that worries the politicians
When the state committee meets in
representative hall at IL o'clock Sat
urday morning, it must work out
system of representation for the 105
counties which will select delegates.
OF course the system will probably be
based on the vote for secretary of
state. But the matter of a fair repre-
sentation is a genuine issue. Splits in
the party in 1912 and 1914 have dis
turbed conditions and an honest rep
resentation of the party vote is hard
to determine. The woman question
must also be settled
Charles Sessions. elected to a sec
ond term as secretary of state in 1912,
probably received an almost normal
Republican vote. Yet even Sessions
believes he may have lost several
thousand votes which ordinarily go to
the Republican party. That isn't all.
In 1912 the women did not vote.
So just representation should in
clude both the male and female vote.
That spells more trouble. In the con-
test of 1914, Arthur H. Burtis, Pro-
gressive candidate for secretary of
state, received 70,512 votes as against
1918 votes cast for J. T. Botkin,
Republican.
Bull Moose Out of II.
Since the election of two years ago
the Progressives have abandoned their
state organization. The majority OF
the men and women who voted for
Burtis will probably be found in the
Republican party next fall. Yet nc
| one is wise enough to determine the
number who will return. To base rep
resentation on the Republican vote
| alone, would mean unfair recognition
| of counties which cast heavy Pro-
gressiVe votes To base the number
| of delegates on the combined Repub-
lican-Progressive vote does not seem
fair to the leaders. 1t is one of the
problems which the los county chair
men must work out in their session
Saturday morning.
Demands for an early convention
seemed today to come from both the
progressive and conservative elements
of the party. Many leaders favored
a state convention as early as the first
or second week in March. Only in
| a few instances was a convention as
| late as the middle of April urged.
Holding of a state convention in early
| March means district conventions in
the closing days of February. The
state convention will select four dele
gates at large-the Big Four''-to
the Chicago convention.
A majority of the county cnairnlen
| who arrived today seemed to favor
the bringing of the state convention
to Topeka. No other Kansas town
has thus far made a strong bid for the
big convention which will be COM
posed of about 1000 delegates repre-
senting the various counties of the
state. In 1912, the state convention
was held in independence. This yeaI
there is an apparent demand that the
| convention come to the capital city