New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-07
RURAL PRIMARIES CORRUPT.
JUST AS MUCH NEED OF REFORM IN
COUNTRY AS IN CITY.
TuD GREATEST STRENGTH OF THE PLATT MA
CHINE NOT Affected BY a LAW WHICH
DOES NOT OPERATE IN THE
RURAL DISTRICTS.

CHINE NOT Affected by LAW WHICH
DOES NOT OPERATE IN THE
RURAL DISTRICTS.
Albany. March (speciaD-Many members of
the Legislature from the rurll parts Of the state
acknowledge that ex-senator Warner Miller is
quite right In his contention. expressed In
Saturdays Tribune. that there is just as much
need OF primary election reform in rural New
York as there is in the cities. Thomas c. Piatt'
some Of these members point out. can wei az
ford to make some concessions to indepenoeh'
Republicans In the cities II he Is left undis-
turbed In possession OF the machinery Of the
party in the other parts Of the State. over haif
Of the delegates to the next Republican State
Convention will come from the country districts
Mr. Platt could even neglect the primaries IN
the cities, which ne will not do, and yet by his
present control Of the organization in the rural
counties be able to secure a majority or the
delegates TO the State Convention. which will
nominate candidates for Governor. Lieutenant
Governor and all the State Offices this year.
The rural counties are at present picketed
with Platt Republican offlceholders There are
fifteen or twenty in each county. They have
places at Albany in the State departments or
else they are in the employ Of the State Agri-
cultural Department. which has score OF but
ter experts and assistant superintendents on It's
roll. Then the State Excise Department has
many clerks and agents. and there are three
hundred employees OF the Legislature scattered
about the State. The New-York Congressman
are nearly all in alliance with Mr.. Platt. and
so the postmasters in the rural counties be-
long TO the Platt machine.
SNAP" CAUCUsEs ALREADY.
This we-disciplined body OF mercenaries con-
troed by Mr.. Plat can now hold what snap
caucuses It peases in any county. In counties
like Washington. Herkimer and Allegany where
the Independent Republicans are numerous and
aggressive. the whole force of patronage of the
Platt machine is concentrated and made eff
fective 20 prevent the election Of independent
delegates 20 the State Convention.
Already the primaries have been held In
Washington County The employees Of the Pub
lie Works Department all along the Champlain
Canal swarmed around the polling places and
overwhelmed the Independent. Republicans
cept in one town. on Wednesday. March 16.
the delegates to the Republican State Con-
vention from Washington County Will be
elected They will be chosen. 1t will be per-
ceived over six months in advance Of the hold
ing Of the State Convention. There Is no rule
In the Republican party. ns there is In the
Democratic party In this State. providing that
elected until after the call for the convention
has been issued
Preparations. II is hlnted are also being made
for early primaries In Herkiner County. Pub
lie sentiment in regard to candidates for the
Republican nomination for Governor Will thus
be prevented from expressing Itself, for usu-
ally voter cannot tell In March with any
defnitcress whom he would like to have nomi-
mated for Governor in September
HOW THE THING IS DONE.
The rural primaries often run in tricky
ard corrupt manner. Notices are not issued in
some cases until just the day before the caucus
is to be held and then only the members Of the
machine are Informed of IT. When published at
all, notices Of primaries are frequently printed
In obscure newspapers At other times notices
Of caucuses are put IN some almost hidden part
Of IA building
one Of the worst features Of the rural primary
IN times Of excitement is the bribery practised
In the northern part Of the state a few years
ago II was notorious that u candidate for Con
gress spent Sl5.OOO In carrying the caucuses In
"A certain county. and his unsuccessful opponent
spent $4,000. In the eastern part OF the State
politicians are aware that there has recently
been fierce contest between two rich brothers
in-law for the cont-ol Of the party machinery
OF their Congress District and the Congress
nomination. In one OF the towns of that district
the writer of this letter was Informed by a
former Assemblyman. 1000 was spent to carry
the caucus.
For these reasons the rural primary needs the
protection Of the law Just as much the city
primary. There are not sufficient guards against
Democrats voting at Republican primaries or
Republicans voting al Democratic primaries.
Democratic and Republican rings In some coun-
ties lend each other votes 10 control close towns
and thus continue their own ascendancy.
SIGNIFICANT TOWN ELECTIONS.
The recent great losses OF votes in the Boards
Of Supervisors by the Republican party. II is
clear. are expression Of dissatisfaction with
the Patt machine in the rural parts OF the
State. The machine has been too arbitrary, too
tyrannical. 1t has sought too frequently TO die
tate nominations. The result of the election Of
Supervisors thus far is indicated In the follow
ing table:
-'Taln.-
Republican Democratic
Allega0y Z
BrOone