The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-13

airy %. Under the law the convention
cannot control the course of its parry
primaries. But it can do good many
things that will have an influence and
bearing on the campaign and the next
legislative session. This step by the
Democrats means a good deal more
than may at first appear.
A good deal of light crept into the
Demo at household last year. It
learned the lesson that the majority
party is always the victim of the pri-
mary plan. 1t learned that after
eight years of national control and
two years of state control it was vir-
tua1ly without orga nization and had
failed to develop an effective or posi-
tive leadership. The primary was
just about as popular with the Kan
sas Democrats after the last campaign
as smallpox in a seminary.
During the last few months a good
many Republicans have quietly let it
be known that they thought the pri-
mary would do well if it were sent to
the repair shop. There is a strange
knocking somewhere and some of the
parts and bearings haven't given just
the service that was so glowingly
painted in the literature and so highly
recommended by the agents Some of
the folks who are just now doing the
most subtle. bowling have marched at
the head of primary parades. They
nave AaI4ACL d4SllASSGu SOIue OI the
ideas that the voter is 100 per cent in
telligent when he or she gets alone in
a booth on primary day.
Shows Vote an Indication.
There was something of a tendency
to admit that a fair percentage of
voters should have a guardian after
the 1920 returns came in. The fact
that George Snow polled more than
25 per cent of the party votes against
Governor Allen saddened quite a
number OF primary enthusiasts. The
fact that the victim of the event was
one of the staunch, original primary
advocates didn't add a dimes worth
Of humor to the situation-so far as
the boosters were concerned.
Just at this particular moment it
looks as tho the Republicans will hold
some sort IF a party jubilee and con-
vention next year. They will likely
get together next spring. Sentiment
for such p convention will probably
be promoted to a considerable extent
Kansas day.
1t isn't probable that either party
will make move to repeal the
primary law. Rather it appears that
conservative and progressive wings of
both parties may seek 10 get together
on a program. Out of the meetings
next year may come a policy for state
conventions to nominate at least a part
of the state ticket with advisory action
by the conventions as to the remainder
of the ticket-probably suggestion OF
two names to be presented 10 the vot-
ers instead of a general directory as
made possible at present.
Select Convention Delegates.
There isn't much chance that the
plan to nominate local candidates in
the primaries will be changed. Lead
ership of both parties will likely agree
on plans TO select convention delegates
in a primary.
But some of the gingerbread deco
rations and ornamental cornices of the
primary are likely to be knocked Oft
before 1924. The fact that the voters
at large are showing a considerable
tendency to favor the idea will give
the program weight in the next few
months. If the tentative conventions
now in prospect for the two parties
bear fruit. a return to some form of
state convention is probable II not GER
tain