The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-07
Recent Election a Source of
Concern to Kansans.
Ridiculous Protest Against All
Is a Party Insult.
LOCAL PRIMARY is REMEDY
Select Delegates to State Con.
vention, Is 1919 Plan.
Snow Vote Exhibited Weakness
of Present System.

d L a l.. SHOLIZ.
There is something radically wrong
with the statewide primary system
Even the men who advocated and
helped frame the law when it was
passed during the special session
WE'VE years ago admit the measure
needs liking. That the next legislature
"lil give much attention to needed re-
pairs Tor the law is the general opin-
ION. Last Tuesdays primary was the
breaking point in support of the law
IN its present form
win scattering returns still coming
70 topeka, it is clearly evident that
George B. Snow is to check in with
4V.OOO or more votes against Governor
AHen- Yet Shows candidacy was the
weakest, most ridiculous protest
against the state administration 1t
gained strength and support merely
- because of the loose provisions of the
enactment which removed party re-
sponsibility for nominations and per-
mitted members of minority parties to
participate in the nominating of can
didates by the majority party. BY the
same application of principle a grocer
might inspect the books of his COM
petitor or the detailed deposit and
loan records of a bank might be
opened to a rival on the opposite
corner.
Each Ballot S1.75.
The primary came to Kansas-just
as it came to most states-as the cure
all for convention evils There is hard
~ a possibility that Kansas will re-
turn to the old style convention plan.
but a breaking away from the present
state wide nominating policy is clear
ly evident. Several years ago J. T.
Botkin, then secretary of state, fig
ured that every ballot in a state pri-
mary cost the voters $1.75. The ex-
pense might be overlooked. But the
added cost didn't give relief In the
primaries last Tuesday the Republi-
can party was made ridiculous while
its leadership was Inundated by votes
of protest cast under its own banner
by members of other parties
During the four years he was gov
ernOr, Senator Arthur Capper kept the
legislature away from the primary law
thru threats o. a veto of any measure
Gripping the present system. Capper's
strong organization of farm papers
co-Operated successfully with a Mis-
souri, newspaper in dominating Kan
sas primary nominations This same
combination preached the gospel of
independent voting. Last Tuesday the
independence of voting became a
mockery. Democrats. Socialists and
Nonpartisan Leaguers OVERRIDE the
Republican primaries in a manner
that was in open hostility to any sys-
TEN OF party organization
Up to Legislature.
Now there is every probability that
something. The state faces the pros
pect that Governor Allen must go
into the prediction campaign with
showing of 10000 votes against him by
= candidate who under ordinary Cir
cumstances could not secure a vote IN
a delegate convention. OF course Kan
sans may explain the thing to each
other. They may close their eyes and
blame the Democrats and the labor
unions. But when the returns are
printed in other states. Governor Allen
stands under an Indictment from his
own party in a race for denomination
Under any sort of convention system
delegate would not dare attend the
convention, vote against Allen for re-
nomination and return to his people.
Instead he would vote an endorsement
of the administration
With the law in its present form,
tho, Kansas has voted in a manner
that will be recognized as party re-
pudiatiou of the governor. OF course
the governor has won overwhelmingly.
But he won in a contest and with 40
coo votes against him at a time when
his party in state convention would
have dared no other course except re-
nomination by reclamation and strong
endorsement of his administration and
his industrial court law.
Local Primaries Only.
In 1919 the state senate voted to
restore district and state conventions
under the representative delegate sys-
TEN. InlS WOulQ nave lett the lOCdA
primaries for county and township Of
ficers and for the selection of dele
gates to the big conventions Such
measure would have removed the ten
dency of minority party members vot-
ing in majority party primaries. 1t
would also insure selection of promi-
aent, we'll qualified men and women
to attend the conventions and would
have eliminated many of the charges
made against the old party caucus
The delegates would have been men
and women of statewide acquaintance
and able 10 intelligently select cand1-
dates for state office. If they selected
a weak or an undesirable candidate
and eliminated a strong one, the party
would be held accountable thru the
Individual delegates. Now there is no
responsibility. There is no record OF
The men and women who supported
Governor Allen and those who voted
for snow. The Republican party will
merely suffer in November thru the
40. 600 votes case to repudiate the
Favor Change.
II was impossible. tho, to pass the
modified primary bill thru the house
Had It passed Governor Allen might
have used the veto. Now some OF
Governor Aliens warmest- supporters
are in favor of decided change.
One big criticism of the present law
IS its failure to provide some method
AZ party assembly. During the last
six months half dozen big rows have
broken out in the state house-au IN
RepubIican circles. Some OF the sore
spots will be in evidence in November.
Much of this factional trouble could
be adjusted. it is argued. thru wise
counsel and leadership in convention
or marty assembly. Now-barrlng the
mere formalfty of a meeting of the
candidates and state committee mem
hers IN party council-there is no
chance TO talk it over" and salve the
wounds. The party ticket. national.
=+sfe and local, must quietly suffer be-
cause of the trouble which has arisen.
Much of the, trouble might be ironed