The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-11

Gen. Tracy speaks for Honest Primaries
Seth Low senua u letter.

Gen. Tracy speaks for Honest Primaries
Seth Low sends u Letter.
ALBANY, March 10.-Tho Judiciary commit
tees of the Senate and Assembly gave a joint
hearing this afternoon on the Primary bill. The
only person who opposed the bill as n whole was
Daniel De Leon, representing the Socialist
Labor party. fIc said It intcrfcrcd with the
secrecy of the ballot and that II would create q
body o; professional primary packers.
Former Congressman Henry G. Burleish of
Whitehall said he was opposed to a Primary bill
that didn't cover tho whole State. q will tell
these gentlemen from the cities" he said, =" that
the country can give them points in the manip-
ulation Of primaries. II this bill isn't extended
to the whole State the next State convention
will be controlled by the country, and the gem
tlcmen from the cities Will be thrown out of tho
convention IL their seats are needed"
Chairman Lexow. seeing Gen. benjamin F.
Tracy in tho room, asked him TO speak. Gen.
Tracy said that he had not intended to discuss
the bill and had nothing to say, except that per-
sonally and politically he was in favor OF any
law that would secure honest primaries.
Il have always regarded them, he said. "as
laying the foundation for honest elections. I
haven't read the bill through and cant express
an opinion on it, but I concur most earnestly in
the effort to secure an honest primary law. 1t
is right that every citizen should have a voice
in the management of his party. From what I
have heard l have no doubt that you have
framed q bill that will satisfy public opinion
until it is passed and goes into operation. How
far it will provo satisfactory after that depends
upon practical workings"
Gen. Tracy said he had noticed one omission
in the bill, 1t provided for the enrolment OF
voters who had attained their majority since
the last election. but not, for those who had
moved into the city since that time.
Senator LcXOw said this had been omitted in
tentionally. but did not explain why.
THAT is a matter of detail" continued Gen.
Tracy. 1T is a hopeful sign, TO be encouraged
and upheld everywhere. that the public senti-
mant OF the State has been concentrated in favor
of n bill TO give every citizen n vote in party
Elihl Root read a letter from Seth Low. say.
ing that the bill would effect q great improve
ment in political conditions, and that he would
be glad to do anything in his power. however
Coming state and Congressional elections. He
believed the bill would do this; He expressed a
at the Assembly district primaries. but was
CONVINCED that the bill was a long step in the
Gen. Wager Swayne. Chairman of the Com.
mittee of Fifty-three County Committee, sald
m fnaf lss and i@ eonS SsnfEss had Ha dIbr eem meds in IN N PTl;
York city. Whether these were true or false
was not important now. The fact that Gen.
Mt the head OF the party was an almost conclu-
tive presumption against their truth. Tho real
disprovinG them. Tho bill provided a way, and
thar was the great Icason that il was needed.
Charles {. Bcaman said that thu bill was just
and fair, not only for Republican,. but for
Democrats.
Senator McCarren tDcm.. Kings asked II 1t
was not Unfair TO permit n voter to participate
in the local primaries of n party and then OK
pliciily proviie that he should be free to take
part in an independent local movement.
Mr.. Brnman said TINT. so far as he was con-
ccrnrd. lie should consider himself bound by the
result OF any fair primary in which lie partici-
patcd.
Elihu Root. Paul d.. Crnvath. b. F. Blair of
the brooklyn Union League Club. Gherardi
Davis of the TIvcn.T.sevcn;h District I.epubli-
Il m Club. ana A. II. steele OF the l.cpublican
CIub spoke in favor OF the bill or explained its
provisions.
Licu;..Gov. Woodruff said: II think the
sentiment in Kings county Is unanimously in
favor of the bill. except TINT there Is some OBJ
lection to the proposed reorganization of the
County Committed. 1t was organized in jan
unry by n unanimous vote, and there Ia serious
doubt o. the wisdom of doing The work all over
again. Mr.. Blair. however, tells me that there
Is some sentiment In the county in favor of il,
and if thnt Is 40. | think ull my associates In the
pnrty will agree with me thar it should be DONE"
Senator LeXOw sHii that lie had received n
numb r of kilograms from prominent Repub-
Leans in Brooklyn. insisting that that feature
Should remain in the bill.
''Th.n.,' said Mr.. Woodruff, 81 should cor
tainly let IL stand"