The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-12
SLAP AT PRIMARY
Howl Goes Up Turnout Kansas
Over Election System.
"
Weekly Press Finally Begins to
Romp On the Plan.
Expensive AND USELESS"
Editors Call 1t Carefree lire.
sponsible Election Method.
Democrats Took Republican
Ballots to Vote for Allen.

The weekly press of Kansas is be-
ginning to romp on the sacred state
wide primary. Demands for repairs
in the present political nominating ma
chinery have come from both the Re-
publican and Democrat papers. Sew
eral legislative candidates are known
and there is every possibility that the
1919 session will see real fight to
repair or repeal the law.
Light votes, lack of interest. uncon-
Germ, ignorance as to candidates. enor-
nous expenses heaped on individual
candidates and absence of responsible
Ity-those are complaints concerning
the present nominating system. Nor
did the recent statewide primary i'm
prove conditions or add to the popu-
iarity of the law.
Mrs. Cora G. Lewis-former men,
Der of the state board of administra-
tion-frankly admits in the kinsley
Graphic that many Democrats entered
the Republican primaries last Tues
day. They wanted to vote for Henry
]. Allen for governor. And while they
were in the booths, nothing prevented
expressions for United States senator,
congressman, state and county offices.
OF course the Democrats did not be-
long in the Republican primaries. But
tenn surrounding the management of
the primary failed to keep them out.
The Democrats, without real fights in
their own party, entered the Republic
can primaries and helped to settle
their rows.
Nominated by Minority.
DIR. Ernest F. Pihlblad. editor of the
Lindsborg News, declares that under
the Kansas primary system issues are
decided nv the a hnFoaS's a nd
candidates are nominated by minority
expressions within the party.
The primary system, tho in theory
undeniably ideal, is open to serious
question in the matter of its practical
efficiency said DIR. Pihblad in an
editorial Every candidate is thrown
back more or less upon his own re-
sources for his campaign, which gives
the man of wealth an advantage
over his less fortunate competitor.
Aside from the more prominent Of
fees, such as governor and United
States senator, the long array of
names that appear on the ballot are
little more than names. The average
voter alone in the voting booth finds
a condition of confusion worse con-
founded and even with the we'll in
formed, it is apt to become a hit and
miss affair. The old convention sys-
tenn, tho subject to gross abuses. had
at least this to say in its favor; that
the candidate was vouched for by a
group of men that were anxious for
the success of the party and could Ill
afford to knowingly impose on the in
telligence of the public by placing a
misfit on the ticket. Under the pres
ent arrangement the issues may be de-
cided by the stay at homes
Frankly and candidly, Mrs. Cora G.
Lewis admits in the Kinsley Graphic
"a Democrat pub1ication-that the
Democrats helped run the recent state
wide primary and aided in settling the
Republican disputes. why Not Re-
peal the Law?" is the caption at the
head of an editorial which is sub
headed: Primary Law is not Pleas
ing to Its Authors, but Afraid to Say
So"
Democrats Vote for Allen.
Then Mrs. Lewis pays her respects
to the law She says:
THE election board report many
Democrats calling for Republican bal
lots, in order to secure the nominal
ton of certain candidates. The Re-
publicans are kicking about it. The
idea is that so many Democrats want
ed to vote for Henry Allen for COVER
nor, that they were willing to take a
Republican primary ballot. thus help
ing to defeat the simon pure
standpat Republicans who wanted
anyone but Allen The Republicans
were the instigators of the present
primary law, which has made poll
tics rich mans game. and now that
1t has turned and bit them they don't
like it. Well, it is all right with us
to repeal it. The trouble is it is
such nice theme on which to crate
and tell of the rights of the comm on
people that no one can be found with
nerve enough to stand up in either
house and demand its repeal Even
those who like it are compelled tc
admit that it is a mighty expensive
luxury. Under its benign influence
elections are getting farther and far.
ter away from the plain common
people. The old convention system
had its drawbacks, but it had one
great advantage. people got together
and talked things over and they, also
had a chance to becom>. acquainted
with candidates before selecting their
for places on their tickets
In 1917 a bill was introduced in the
| house to repeal the statewide pri.
mary. The measure was killed In g
committee room.
at won't do to report the BILL" one
| member told some friends 1.-The news.
| papers would never stand for it. Why
if we were % repeal the primary law
| the papers would simply eat us up.
Now the country press in many To-
calities is swinging behind the move.
ment to put the sacred institution OF
f, the 1908 special session safely at rest
And the fight>to repeal or repair the
| law may be one of the real indoor
attractions in Topeka next winter.
|. ANIMAL I0nGF PICNIC