New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-22
10. s. STRAUS PRESIDENT.
TO BE HEAD OF THE NATIONAL PRIMARY
ELECTION LEAGUE.
END OF THE CONFERENCE YEsTERDAY-AD-
DRESSES By Mr.. srRAUs. G. F. RUSH. MAYOR
QUINCY. SENATOR BRUSH. EDWARD


QUINCY. SENATOR BRUSH EDWARD
LAurERBAcH AND oTHERs-coN-
sTIrUrroN ADOPTED.
Many well-known men yesterday addressed the
National Conference on Primary Election REFORM
and the interest In the various phases OF the SUD
ject was IS marked on Thursday. Yesterday
was the closing day OF tho conference sessions De
Ing held morning and afternoon at tho rooms OF
the Board OF Trade and Transportation. No. 2o3
Broadway and the delegates attending In the even
ing a reception given I'm their honor at the Ci'y
Club permanent National organ za'ion was ef-
fected yesterday. under the title OK the Natohai
Primary Election League and II Is expected ''a'
before It's meeting a year hence there VIII nave
been started IN many States organizations WIN the
same general ends In view which shall be effect
I've agencies IN securing honest and pure primary
elections in their respective commemorative
A. 3. Humphrey OF this city. called the CONFER
ence to order in the morning and introduced JOSIAH
Quincy Mayor OF Boston. chairman. Mayor
Quincy. on taking the chair made no speech but
announced Oscar S. s,raus. OF this city ex-Mnis-
ter to Turkey. as the first speaker.
RIGHTS SHOULD BE ENFORCED.
Mr. straus cpoke briefly. prefacing his remarks
with the statement that he had not expected 10 De
called upon. II was not enough. ne urged. 'hat
men should have nallenable political rights: they
must live up 10 and enforce them. The people
cheney or defect IN right. but from lack OF a nrIn
valuation and exercise OF duties one OF the chlef
reasons why these duties had not been performed
that people had been deprived OF the exercise
OF choice OF officials from Alderman TO President
This result had been brought about BY the develop
ment Of parties until they had become fetshes,
and until the voters had forgotten their individual
rights. This conference was, he assumed. move
ment TO bring back to the individual the rights
which originally his. Applause).
After Mr.. Straus had finished speaking. r. NJ
Easley. the secretary OF the conference read let
ters from several public men OF prominence. Sec
retary Gage. Of the Treasury Department. wrote:
Any barriers that hinder the freest expression OF
the intelligence and Conscience OF the Nation at the
primary must be removed II this is 10 remain
republican form Of government. The party that
will refuse to throw the proper restraint around
primary deserves to be repudiated."
Other letters read were frc n Governor Tanner and
Ex-Governor Atgeld OF Illinois DR.. Albert Shaw
and II 81. Garland. president Of the Amalgamated
Iron Workers Association.
CONSTITUTION ADOPTED.
The following constitution was then reported by
the Committee Permanent Organization. through
Chairman W. r. Spooner. and afterward
unanimously adopted:
First-Ths body shall be styled the National
Primary Election League.
encouragement Of LEGISLATION n the several states
which shall compel integrity in and properly regu-
primaries. caucuses conventions. nominations and
elections assuring and securing to voters and dele
gates their rights such. and forbidiine. and
providing adequate penalties for. violation Of such
statutes, and for the improper use Of money ard
ooher corrupt practices In connection wiki NOM
Thrd-The officers shall be a president. three
vice-pres!dents, a secretary and treasurer. who.
with fifteen others. shall constitute the Executive
session: also yice-presidents ex-oflco 20 wit: the
presidents o. the several State organizations which
,Fourth-The Executive Committee shall be
OF rules for the government OF officers and 0: the
committee, subject to modification by this body at
ganlzations in the several sia,es the creation OF
public sentiment IN the direction OF true reform in
a NEIL the dny ~ T5eq nd 10 es
ticipate In the primaries: ard the prepare Hon OF
Fifth~Each annual meeting Of ,his BODY sail be
held on The third THURSDAY OF January at such
aon as man ns or sa qfe r bs "
sixth~This body does not assume to direc, wha,
form or text g: statute law shall or should be en-
or sussestions made in debate or contained in any
er bound by such opinions or Successfully a' uness
the records OF It's session shall show that afirma-
tive action was taken thereon.
Mr. RusHs PLAN
George F Rush. OF Chicago. made An address
descriptive Of the provisions OF the Primary Elec-
ton act drafted by himself and pending In
the Illinois Legislature The act he said con-
the method OF nominating candidates leaving nom
ination by petition before. but restricting nom
nation by party convention 70 conventions COM
posed OF delegates elected under the Primary law
primary laws thus being made compulsory upon
political parties Then he went on to outline the
complex features Of the other bill. tho Primary
act proper and continued IN part az follows: "Our
Government to-day Is an oligarchy IN fact. and an
ol,garchy OF bad kind. because the few who gov
ern not in sight for destruction. Ours is
government by few men in a close. soulless cor
poration called the regular organlzatlon'-a gov
eminent by concealed In the dark by men
" HON DO not want. government by men whom
we do not know. government by men whom we
fear! We fought England 70 be free and fought
our brothers OF the South 20 maintain this free
then let fight this oligarchy out
Of the ward OF the town out OF the city. OF
the county, out OF the State. and. God willing. out
OF this free land"
BALLOT REFORM IN MANY STATES
Senator George ". Brush. OF Brooklyn. followed
Mr. Rush. Ballot reform had been achieved IT.
many Stntes he said. and the energies devoted TO
aiding that cause being diverted 10 the
furtherng o. primary election reform. He thought
that citizen would be better justified In stay
ing away from the polls on Election Day than In
keeping away from the primary The primary
system as now existing. was the weak spot
IN the foundation OF the government. But
TO law could take the place OF patriotism.
Government by party seemed 70 be neces-
s,,v but ours has deteriora;ed into govern
ment by party leaders" Genuine primary reform
was the best cure for this EVIL and the best pro-
motive OF independent movements. Senator Brush
then outlined the main features OF the bill which
he had introduced into the Legislature. He as
serted that il provided FOR a fair enrolment with
full notice. and that It safeguarded the Individual
Of the voter.
The next speaker George L. Record. OF Jer (
sey city. whose special topic was direct nonina. /
lion nv the people Mr.. Record the last
.,eakor AZ the morning session. an adjournment /
,ainp taken after the appon ment by the chair OF I
tho following men committee to nominate /
,rcers; A. b. Humphrey. L. J. McDermott. l.. l.. /
eona George r Matthews. Jr, and VI. NJ stephens. /