New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-28
LEXOw's PRIMARY BILL.
THE MACHINE DECIDES TO PRESS IT AT
ALBANY.


Senator Plat and many leaders in the machine
organization OF the Republican party held various
conferences at the Fifth Avenue Hotel yesterday
Lemue f. Quigg gave his presence to the
gathering early r the day. but started for Wash
ington al noon. Others who came In were Senator
Clarence Lexow. Speaker J. VI. F. OGrady. Railroad
Commissioner George W. Dunn. OF Binghamton:
Lieutenant-Governor Timothy L. Woodruff. State
Chairman Charles W Hackett and Assemblymen
Nixon and Aids After a long consultation II was
decided that two bills OF Importance should be
brought out this week and pushed through II votes
enough could be secured These bills are one for
primary reform and the Ellsworth Newspaper bill
The bill for primary reform Will be introduced
from Senator Lexow's committee on Tuesday or
Wednesday Some OF the minor details have not
yet been decided upon but the bill will be In out
line greatly like the Ford bill 1t will not be the
bill that the committee OF the Union League Club
and the improvised subcommittee Of the Commit
tee OF Fifty-three drafted and sent 70 Albany on
Wa shngton's Birthday.
II is understood that the primary reform pro-
posas made by Senator Pavey are to be ignored
The Ellsworth bill will be brought up and
strong fight made to get It through. Even the
machine leaders not sanguine OF success on
this point. They know the opposition that this
bill has met. but they are going In for a test OF
strength and concede that they have a struggle on
their hands.
the question OF biennial sessions He did not think
It would become an acute question In this Legis-
iaturc.
FROM THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB.
The following statement was made last night by
Paul d. Cravath. chairman OF the Union League
Clubs special committee on primary election legs-
lation:
The draft of a proposed primary election measure
embodied IN the third proof. issued last evening.
seems to meet with the approval Of the various
committees and other with whom the speciaI com
mittee of the Union League Club has been In con-
ference A number Of the earlier proofs were dis
ributed in various quarters, for the express puI-
operation thus secured has resulted in very sub bc
stantial improvements. which are empodled IN me
from both Senator Pavey and Assemblyman Lain
beer and have been acted upon We are desirous
of receiving the further suggestions Of all who are
interested in the subject. and additional sugges,
lions of value will doubtless be made before we VIII
feel warranted in submitting our measure as hnaHy
completed. 1t has, however received, as 70 an OF
@anv en MRo srs the in
and have made 1t a study. that no radical changes
The committee from the Committee OF Fifty-thres
movement has supplemented its action in approx
ing the BY aePfy H. Taft aad
Meen a subcommittee 10 advocate 1t at Albany
the eommss 81 the Sae Buaio Republican League
and word has just come from Buhalo that az u, a
tee Of Republican GeneIal COMMITTEES Of 1n Erie
County unanimously adopted resolution approx
ing the measure as to its important features.
CHAIRMAN KENYON's HOPES
MT. Kenyon, CHAIRMAN Oh lno coinnit'cc va NY
three said last evening:
II potced in this mornings Tribune an anony-
nous statement about tho proposed new primary
law which statement is spoken Of as the position
OF the enrolled Republicans OF the new organla-
ton This Is an error do not know VINO makes
the statement, but It certainly Is not either an
official unofficial statement OF the position OF
the Committee Of Fiftythree. Such statements US
chairman is alone empowered TO make. And the
enrolled Republicans OF the new organization
have not met yet. and no one ls authorized to
speak for them. A few individuals whose views
were not fully adopted by the Primary Law Com,
mittee have criticised the BILL and the statement
referred to perhaps reflects their views. 49,
''Their criticisms Of the Primary Law Conmittee
DO NOT require answer. The bill Itself VIII, i am
sure grow In favor even among It's critics as 1t is
studied Intelligent criticism is invited The re-
form legislators at Albany have been studying me
subject two three years. A bill so mover ana
radical that these rNorm legislators would them
selves defeat II would be foolish bill TO SEND up
there The line has been drawn Just short OF TINS
The public wants time to be educated up 10 and 10
grow I'D to the more novel experiments that the
Critics advocate This bill will, II enacted. bring
about 60 great an advance Of the political condi-
tions In the great cities of this State that any one
who has had a. hand in promoting its passage viii
be honored thereby, and any one who 1eopardizes
its passage takes grave and serious responsibility
upon his individual shoulders.