New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-21

GEORGE L. RECORD. ~. X. COMMONS.
FS#iS :, sf SsSREE iSh% bAf eS$FHS
Hisi /, GH3, "" SH{hLLEs F. MrMR%osE
t 15AN H. 81 K4 pI W WnthE ro tiGEH
Sp9EgES F. MATTiaFws. i 1 {3IT.GE
[ EIH 1d6N HOLLIS 5RE 2 M6r f5H4rToN
! HENRY spOONER ~ r. NERDlER.
GE9EGE 4 SETTc!X;, J,f MD w HSHs
SSEl,AM BAc6N. CHARLES s. KAY.
! WILLIS j. ABiOT. E Hotter
s. 4 RRohHfNsESH,' fIExEiIYN SAUNDERS.
THE OPENING ADDRESS.
John f. Mllhoand chairman OF the Committee
on Arrangements called the conference to order at
1890 o'clock, and in SO doing delivered an address
that received the closest attention and heartily
applauded Mr.. Milholand said in part
The movement of which this Conference IS the
| FIRST National expression is OF comp"r. lively re
| any statutory enactments worth mentioning on
the subject OF irim'py Elections Az tsese nave nave
! the Australian Ballot law went into effec;. But
rn3nsh as ~ us tnf or p u oi i''iI
! history. Long before our day the evils OF the
caucus in the large cities were painfully apparent
Caucus and disorucf were Synonymous terms from
the very beginning Of the Republic. Practical poll
not reflect the gentle side of life. Lawlessuess was
predominant feature. Mob rule ran riot. cen
fury has elapsed and yet after making due ALLOW
owing to better iniramuraI policing ii must he
cOnf'ss,d that this remains department Of our
political life In which litile progress has beer made
There is not That Wild disorder and violence which
The murderous gangs Of me Khynders 40 longer
prowl about the city 10 break up nominating con-
ventions but there H. far moro dangerous awlcss-
in the actual workings aud practical results Of
the primary as now carried on by the machines OF
both grca' parties than e''r before IN our National
This latter-day Ancrchy-for It Is nothing less
becomes the more dangerous because Of It's APP
Shocked by the 6ioodsned the horrd bcatings aaG
the numerous assaults OF former days. The real
strike at the foundations of the Republic have be-
made them appear insignificant. ana II requires an
cort 10 think seriously about them. For the theft
Department and the criminal courts will be set in
motion, for ;ho theft of my vote in selecting candi-
cz, pthere Is to-day pre- ctlcally no legal
dress III this imperial Commonwealth nor in a ma
Thousands OF worthy citizens dwell complacently
entirely Indifferent on the SUBJECT TO hear some
Of them talk one would suppose tha; it was be
yond their power to conc, I'VE Of the party organ-
cation tolerating fraudulent or dishonorable
made the practical politics Of America kissing
ana by-wOrd throughout Chrstendom-arc mercy
n pr nGcsnt fsh H Rgr dfs element &
our citizenship remains practically obiyious to all
ibn L, ot ' no r reSu h mem 'ma
until they find ignorance. unhtncss and crminality
banlshcd from our legislative halls: statesmanship
in danger OF being driven from our National forum
ana vast public Undertakings horeyccmbed 10y CO.
iossal obbcry that they begin TO understand VIII At
the dcspis, rcformcr means when ne says that
the primary IS the fountan-head OF political power
ana that its pollution means ultimately general dis
4 far-reach'ng work of Tremendous Importance
found comparatively easy. This is a country cs-
sentaIly OF IA" and order Our people are neither
SYSTEMATICALLY wrong nor deliberately unjust The
rule OF the majority is precious in the sight Of
dict that this reform with which W. arc identified
VIII go forward WIN eyer-!ncreasimE strength
Of all parties in the entire Union. Even IN our own
state We are not without hope our Governor
n, ba NM ,b iu }eo o'o a. S ing T %
pressing the fullest sympathy with the movement
and The assurance Of his cooperation In the FUR
The best politicians In favor OF genuine Civil
Service reform. because II is their only salvation
from the clamor Of Unsuitable constituents. They
favored the Australian Ballot law because II meant
tremendous saving Of their money on Election
Day. They are in favor Of this reform. too. when
It is properly and fairly presented because they
connected with the primaries In great cities as the
rest Of the people The best Of them have little to
fear The real leaders VIII continue TO lead, by
and personal fitness. They Will he free from Il
Party harmony. about when we nave h'ard 50
much signing, viii also be one Of the Inevitable re
opportunity TO express his prefer nee In nonlnat-
ing convention little fault can be found with the
result by any honest minority. No nation on earth
accepts the nndings at the polls whatever II may
be- with such Philosophical composure as Am@Tl-
.
tlined In any other way more than we do.
ORGANIZATIONS OF THE CONFERENCE.
John c. Calhoun was appointed temporary chair
man at the close OF Mr. Milholllnds address. In
assuming the temporary chairmanship. Mr.. Cal
houn said that Capitalization OF political power
WAS OF tho great CANCERS of the country ana
tia: this Capitalization was Often made possible
hy the abuses Of the primary system. The con-
ference he hoped. wov'd discuss thcs" abuses and
propose ways and means 10 obvatc them.
Continuing. Mr.. Calhoun said:
The object OF this meeting is succinctly stated
Iay that IL is useless for 10 restate H. is not
my intention to consume the time 81 the delioera-
cc which Is under consideration If one Of 50 grave
import the future OF our country that one can
So soI mncg is F Involved II is eerany the hearrc
Ts Sc s Tvfy to us By o%r
petuated in all its purity as 1t vas originally IN
1T would seem that the people are no longer the
choosers OF those who should represent them. from
the fact thai influences are brought to hear-either
from one cause or anoth"r-for the placing In
power as feeders Of men who represent factions
and influences which do not look to INC good or me
whole is the methods Of bringing about practica!
primary election reform Will be so ably diSc"sS,d
subject a study and who nave been requested to
,bcir ability bit their practical experience in such
matters /, would be useless for me To present ar
gumenis with which many Of you are so much
nh task Therefore, for those who are here as;
fcmled
from airy suspicion OF partisanshipgiving 10 every
ctlzcn. no matter how humble. full voice in the
alminIsir ltion Of local and governmental affairs
which may hc submitted to thc Legislatures Of the
(, veral S;ntrs be- enacted into law
Ralph NJ. Eascy. OF chicago. was chosen tenn
rOrary secretary. and read a letter In which Gov
.rn0r Black expressed sympathy with the pur-
noses 81 the convention. after which Darwin II
James. president of the New-Yor Board Of Trade
ana Transportation. welcomed the delegates TO the
rooms Of the Board.
THE DELEGATES WELCOMED
Mr. james expressed his pleasure at seeing such
An assembly gathered for the purpose OF discussing
such important problems He said that II gave him
great pleasure 10 place at the disposal OF the con-