New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-04
THE NEW PRIMARY LAW,
Elk SENATOR BRUsHs SUGGESTIONS FOR
NOMINATING THE COUNTY COM
MITTEE - OPERATION OF
THE LAW.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir; I notice the public press Is manifestins
some interest In the operation OF the new Pri-
mary Law and the amendments 10 II passed last
winter As one who worked hard and earnestly
for three years in the Senate OF this state to
place primary law upon the statute books
which would give every citizen a chance 70 nave
a voice In the selection OF the nominees OF MS
party it may not be amss for me 10 say re"
words the subject OF the operation OF TINS Isw'
am impelled to do this because OF the fact that
| the County Committee has not adopted any
method by which its successors are to be nomi-
mated. and the whole matter seems to have peen
left to be worked out by individuals in the var-
| Gus Assembly districts. The present ward COM
mittee is the only official representative body In
| existence, but this is to be superseded by the
Assembly district representatives to be elected
| at the September primaries
| The question is. How shall the nominations for
| the County Committee be made In the absence OF
any rule to govern? Some have suggested that
| the present ward committee appoint a commit
| tee TO make these nominations. but that would
| deprive the newly enrolled members Of the dis
| tricts OF any direct voice and might result IN
] dssensons For instance In the election district
| i'm which the writer resides the following changes
| have been made within the last year: Twenty
! seven have moved from the district twenty
| did not enroll for primary purposes when they
! registered last fall. The present number OF en-
| rolled Republicans In the district Is 132 The
| number OF new names the roll is ffty-seven
AS will be seen, nearly half the enrolled electors
Of the district men. While this may De
| greater pi cportion Of changes than In many dis
tricts It shows that have moving popula-
ton 1t has been decided to adopt the Assembly
1 rio a
| ton is retained. A recent attempt to abolish 1t
met with such d decided protest that II was
| abandoned.
This is wise; the Republican party has never
done such good work in Brooklyn as has been
| accomplished under the election district organi-
cation. It keeps the party in touch with the
people, and is true to Republican principles. In
| line with this the way seems plain out OF any
| seeming difficulty in nominating members for
the County Committee for the September pri-
| maries. After giving some thought to the mat
ter / make the suggestion that the only fair and
| straightforward way TO meet the question Is for
| all Interested TO complete the party enrolment
| between now and August. and then call meet
ing Of each election district association early In
September and let them choose a man 10 act for
them In the selection Of those who are TO be
placed upon the primary ticket TO represent them
| In the County Committee, these men to meet In
each Assembly district for that purpose. Any
| man or any leader who is not willing TO abide
the result of such action should be defeated. be-
cause any other course is an unfair attempt TO
subvert the wishes OF the voters is unworthy Of
the Republican party and will serve only to To-
ment discomfort and factionalsm.
We arc about to enter upon the preliminary
stages Of a Presidential campaign The electors
fnrr rf,,nor a vytll
| select the delegates to the National Convention
next spring. The County Committeeman chosen
this fall will conduct that campaign. Any at
tempt therefore to evade the provisions OF the
new Primary law to administer II in any
other than fair, open and honest way should
| be carefully guarded against, that the lines
| may be formed with a solid and united 'front.'
Every one who believes In upholding Pres-
dent Mckinley in the wise and patriotic policy
| he is CARRYING out TO solve the great problems
| which confront the Nation. and all who believe
in the rugged honesty OF Governor Roosevelt
| in his administration Of the analrs OF TINS
| State should see to it that such action Is taken
at this early day will result In free and
fair expression Of the wishes Of the voters at
the coming primaries. -
II may not be amiss here to point out the
way that citizens who are entitled TO vote at the
primaries may qualify. There are three; First;
If a voter registered last year ana ala not enron
for primary purposes. he can do so by obtaining
a blank at his party headquarters headed
PRIMARY Enrolment Statement" ard filing out
the same Second. IL he has moved from the
S,s,rict in which he voted last year he can
enroll in his present district by obtaining ana
filling out the blank headed Statement for En-
rolment into Another Election District Third,
II he has become OF age since the last election
he can enroll by obtaining and ming Out the
| blank headed Statement Of an Elector VINO
Has Become of Age Since the Preceding General
Election" In each OF the first two cases these
| must be executed before a notary pupllc OF an
election inspector, and mailed or taken 10 me
custodian of primary records, NO. ~ Smitn-
ST. Brooklyn. In the third case IT must De exc
cuted before notary public. ~.
| The present law is conceded TO be the pest
urinary law this state has ever had but II VIII
| not operate automatically, and II voters VIII NOT
avail themselves OF II 10 perform one Oh tne
most sacred obligations Of citizenship they have
| no right to complain il on Election Day they are
called upon to vote for undesirable men,
NV party has honored me by giving me an
onnortunity to work and vote for this law, l
| trust may be excused therefore LOT manu- ess,ne
in this way a wish to see 1t executed WIN aosv
| ,ute fairness and in way to promote harmony
| and insure success to the great party 10 whose
PRINCIPLES I have been proud to give hreions
pahnrarce GEORGE w BRUSH, NJ. d.,
Ex-State Senator
Brooklyn, June 1, 1880.