New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-20
PRIMARY ELECTION REFORM.
THE REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATIONS BILL
INTRODUCED.
GOVERNOR BLACK BXvoRs SHORT AND EASILY
UNDERSTOOD Neutrality-suspicious. OF
THE CITIZENS UNION TO THE

oUIG0 PRODUCTION.
Albany Jan. 1s-senator Ford has introduced the
Republican Primary bill. Governor Black Is not
pleased with some features OF it
Tho Governor for the first time this afternoon
rave expression to views as TO how a primary law
should be prepared and adopted. He said:
'I have before the bill Of Senator Pavey'
which have not yet examined the bill OF eenator
Brush which have read through quite carefully
And the bill Of Senator Ford. the so-caed organza-
ton BILL which was handed TO me this noon l
don't know that have any absolutely oecioeo
views upon the exact forms In which inc Dill
should be drawn. but am firmly OF tho oehe1 that
an effective and satisfactory primary law can Dc
prepared for this State which will cover not more
than three or four pages In this respect 1t Is
possible that the Pavey bill. although have not
read It. but which is six pages long. VIII meet my
approval much more readily than the others intro
duced, which from twenty TO twenty nine
pages Ions.
urinary law infringing upon the present Election
Iav Of the State nor do | why primary law
should be as lengthy and as intricate as the Cen
eral Election law. What we want is a clear de-
cided amendment. contained In as Few WORDS As
possible purifying and at tho same time SIM
plifying primary elections. 1t seems to me that
good LAWYERS in this State might draw such DILL
and ~ none comes to me I shall call upon tho
statutory Revision Commission to prepare ono l
appreciate that it requires great deal OF ume anu
thoroughly conscientious work TO prepare oriel
hut generally commendabls measure. but shall
try to find that time.
"Now as to my partisan views in the matter, l
want 70 ray that don't believe that any Dill can
he too stringent or too wise to satisfy the Repub-
licsn party as a whole and DO not anticipate that
any bill that thoroughly reaches the root OF TINS
matter will find opposition from the party IN the
Legislature" o,
Union at tho capital. has secured a copy of the
Republican organizations primary BILL Under the
eleventh section Of the bill Colonel Jerome mas
his first objection. II is TO provision that H. IN
any city or county, two or more bodies exist Claim
ing regularity as the general committee OF &
party that committee shall be recognized as regu-
lar for the purpose Of this act which was SO REQ
oan,zed by the last preceding State Convention OF
such party" Colonel Jerome regards the Intent 10
perpetuate the present organization beyond tho
possibility OF factiona independence as obviously
expressed IN this provision
Paragrapn l Of Section MI is objected to. be-
cause It reduces the elections to be known as State
and National elections two. thus multiplying to a
great extent the provision secured In the amended
Constitution divorcins municipal elections from
state and National elections Tho ob1ectionaole
paragraph is as follows: The expression. state
or National election shall be understood TO refer
only 70 general elections at which candidates for
Governor or for Preside electors are duly voted
tor"
To the open construction liable to be placed on
the term party It appears In paragraph OF
the Same section, another objection Is raised me
paragraph reads: IF the primary system adopted
Is one OF open primaries there snalI Dc no othe me,
est Of voters dn light IosT 10 Sere % speak and
vote than his declared support OF the principles Oh
the party and his declared intention 10 supporn
that partys ticket in tho next succeeding state or
National election and his declaration that a, t ne
next preceding state National election, ne voted
~ v,
At the said next ya sa0 S or parT ticket
generally had he voted, and that he has not par
ticpa;ed offered to participate In the primaries
of any other party during the present po n 90
year, and that he VIII not 30 participate HUI ~
Another objection Is made TO the closing part o.
his name is there so marked his vote shall be re;
ceived. If IS not there. or If it Is there marked
upon an order Of the Court"
Enrolment IN saloons is considered possible: ana am
IL objected to. Tho objection is based on the 1oi-
lowing portion OF paragraph 6, Section MI: "The
General Committee shall designate a place within
each enrolment district at which the enrolment
shall be made. 1t shall be convenient ana sulta-
bic place easy Of access to the voters, and sufii-
selves IN TIE for ely tere
s eke fener ~ that party in the next succeed
Ing State National election. and that they have
not enrolled and will offer TO enroll In any other
party and have not voted al the prmar les and VIII
not offer TO vote at the primaries OF any other
party than the party during the present po-
Dangers consequent to adjournments are seen by
Colonel Jerome in the following paragraph: IF
so many as ten qualified voters are not al the same
time present in the enrolling room pTi9 s 10 IN me
shall stand adjourned. and the enrolment for that
s sh be hdd the
Under the testing the auailcaa9 H i ror
enpOlaS, ' Of the Citizens Union
ibid you vote at the last preceding State or Ma
.TId Won vote ut ths last preceding State or Ma