The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-21
TO REFORM THE PRIMARIES
TEE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF
EI COTTON REF0RMERs 0PENa

ELEOTTON REF0RMERS oPEN&
Tss mayer o. uew orleans says mat Riaes
werkea wonders In mis- Towp. asa Rnr.
Hopkins sF Kansas Declares THAT the
Country IL On the Verge ef . Rsveiutien.
In response to q call for . national conference
Of those interested in the reform Of election pri-
mary laws, about soventy-ivo woll.known mon
gathered yesterday In the assembly room OF the
Board OF Trade. With one or two exceptions, tho
papers read and the addrossesmado had TO do with
tho defects in the various systems of nomination
In vsgue throughout the country. but failed to
suggest n remedy. Tho delegates present
REPRESENTED reform societies and movements In
tho cities OF Chicago, New Orleans, st. Louis,
San Francisco. Cincinnati, Cleveland, Buffalo,
Louisville, Philadelphia, Albany. Syracuse,
Rochester. Milwaukee. Chattanooga, and In the
States OF Kansas and Oregon.
John e. Milholland, Chairman of the Com
mittee on Arrangements, called the meeting to
ordor. A letter from Gov. Black was read in
which he regretted his inability to attend and
assured tho delegates Of his sympathy in the
purposes OF the conference. John Q. Calhoun.
who was chosen Chairman of the morning ses-
sion. spoke Of the evils OF centralizing political
power, which, he declared, had become n menace
to republican institutions and deprived tho
citizens Of the right to choose those who should
represent them.
Darwin n. James, President OF the Board Of
Trade and Transportation, welcomed tho dele
gates.
Samuel B. Capen, President of tho Municipal
League OF Boston, attributed the supremacy Of
political bosses to the indifference Of the aver
ago voter, who failed to attend the caucuses be-
cause he believed there was no chance to over
com tho boss. AS a remedy he suggested that
the primary should be conducted in tho Same
$1,000. n - - nlnrftnr IN nh oi1inn tho nnCal-
sity Of keeping the polls open for ten or twelve
hours.
Prof. John r. Commons of the chair Of soci.
ology of the Syracuse University followed with
apaper which dealt with the history Of the legal
ization OF parties. when tho Aus
tralian ballot system was authorized by law.
He recommended a further recognition of po-
litical parties by law by defining their member
Following Prof. Commons's paper was a gen.
cral discussion, led by Simon Sterne. The gen
time had arrived when the party organization
and leaders should 10 so recognized by law as to
be held responsible for their conduct Su In infi1 ie hs
elected to offices of much Importance. The morn
ing session closed with the appointment OF a com
ference.
In tho afternoon Mayor Flower of New Or
Mayor Josiah Quincy OF Boston for this morn.
ing's, and l.. l.. Bond OF the Municipal League
q Chicago for the closing session this afternoon;
Boston. and Charles E.. Munroe OF Milwaukee
were chosen permanent secretaries. Mayor
Flower. in an opening address. said this of New
az think It rather indicate Of me to como
from the South and talk of the shortcomings OF
my native city, but I must confess that New
Orleans presents an object lesson demonstrating
Urinary elections. Ever since the war the city
Government h4s been In tho hands Of what Is
vnRntiNp n u IL Nynn1h indicnta thar natiDnulitv
Eight years ago the people became wearicd of
shis ,domination OF four men. and the Young
organization. One of the first moves of the ward
organizations was to purchase Winchester rifles
and exercise n drastic, deterrent power at the
polls. The Big Four was beaten. Four years OF
honest government had the effect of restoring
the apathy of the citizens and the Big Four was
was formed. the Winchesters were again ap-
poaled to and the present administration is the
result. To give you an idea of the corruption in
New Orleans ! cite tho fact that there are thirty
men in the Council. twelve of whom are under
indictment for corruption and Six are serving
Edward j. McDorlnott, Chief Supervisor of
the new primary laws Of that state and tue sucs
cess, attained thereby, which was indifferent at
the best. He made these recommcpdations;
rs the registration. thus relieving candidates of
the expense of paying heavy assessments and
allowing n poor man to seek public Office; that
the election officers be chosen in the same man.
nner as Jurors without regard to the residences in
u WstE r ulbUTlCI u WHICH ugl uTe uSSlRnCu,
that they be compelled TO serve; that, the law
allowing election, officers to assist the blind and
and that voters who cannot learn to read the
name OF 4 party and need a picture to guide
John S. Hopkins Of Jackson county, Kan. en-
tertained the session with a talk on Populism.
Jackson eonnty;" said he. deserves much at
law and because Jerry Simpson, Mary Leasc.
md come from there: I've lived here IN
/ tell You folks that you're in trouble bMa
wealth and political Ieadcrship., Talk about
poor man pay moro taxes. Why don't you have
q FREQ ballot and n free polling placel II l was
come between me and the candidate; I'd hold
bosses.
Once we had three County Commissioners
Ing q q bridge, but DO You 5nppGse we would
stand ~ No; we had That bridge built. like
the country. but let's have purity in tho Coun-
Gil chamters and at the polling booth; l tell
yo1 we're on The y,orge Of 2 revolution, Kansas
OF labor organizations and then think. Tho
ballot must be reformed. and Jackson county.
Kan. where Simpson and Mary Lease como
One delegate suggested that nominating by
asked Thai tho discussion on his subject be
opanet. Delegate Hemstrcct or Brooklyn said
that the only way TO discuss tho nomination OF
c,nfidntcs by petition was to condemn IL in the
most unqualified manner.
Its tho crnziest notion that ever entered the
heat OF nm American citizen. It's not new and
r. more corrupt than all the others put together.
The OWL OF all primaries is not the system, but
tho ahstention OF the American people. a COM
miitee OF angels could not improve conditions IL
Americans don't vote Mt the primarics.'
Mr.. Hcinstrcnt recommended alnw compelling
citizcas to attend the primaries or be disfran-
Chisc.l and subjected 10 "a fine.
Inst night n meeting. was held at tho Hotel
Manhattan to consi.cr the advisnbility OF per-
inanently organizing. The matter was referred
to a committee Of fifteen. which VIII report this
morning in favor OF a national org niaation
with distinct State branches. 1t will he also
recommended that each State organization
strive 10 secure sucl. legislation ms will best Gle.
waite the standard of primary elections.