New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-12

assembly Substitutes RaIston for
Green Bill.
LRy Telorranh q rhe TrIhune. ]


IT3y Telegraph to The TrihuneI
Albany. June 11.-FoIlowing the example set
by the Senate. the Assembly to-day rejected
the Green bill. providing for optional direct pri-
mary nominations and substituted the Ralston
! bill for mandatory nominations. The Green bill
is identical with the Travis bill in the Senate to
! which Governor Hughes has given his approval
but which the Senate rejected In favor of the
| Gilchrist BILL Identical with the Ralston bill.
| advocated by State Chairman Woodruff and the
Kings County Republican Committee
| The action of the Assembly has precipitated a
storm OF comment and speculation here. Some
attribute this virtual defiance OF the Governor }
known wishes to the vexing apportionment sit
uation. but others declare that the action OF the
lower house had no significance so far as the
Governor is concerned Indeed. the assertion
was spread broadcast that the Governor would
not accept the Travis bill Friends of the
Travis-Green measure declare roundly that con-
siderable underhand work has been done here IN
favor Of the Gichrist -Raston bill, They have
maintained since the Introduction Of the latter
measure that II meant to Kill off the Travis
bill Agents Of State Chairman Woodruff have
been working vigorously for the Glchrist bill
An Interesting phase Of this discussion Is that
the Ralston amendments to-day were adopted
by a rising vote thus avoiding the necessity
for any Assemblymau's going on record on that
vote
knowing that strong opposition would develop
toward the bin, Assemblyman Green had It put
on to-day's calendar that he might have an OPP
portunty 10 offer amendments 70 meet some 81
the objections raised TO the bin. These amend
ments he offered to-day, and the opponents OF
the bill granted that they met their principal
objections but refused. nevertheless. to with
draw their opposition we knew said one.
that II we could pass the Ralston amendments
we would succeed IN killing the bin. And We ala
it," he added trumphanty
II brought out IN the debate on the bill
that the Republican organization OF Kings
County was opposed TO the bill and that the
Ralston amendments were framed by Mr.. Wood
ruff
1t was remarked smiugly by many Of the
members Of the lower House that perhaps Mr..
Woodruffs visit to Albany to press the Wads-
worth apportionment plan might be more sue
cessful than the less astute ones here surmlsed.
But" added a New York Assemblyman. we
all know that Woodruff IS paying entirely
dsinterested vsit-one purely IN the interests
OF the Speaker"
After the Ralston amendments had been
adopted Assembyman Green did not bring his
own bin to vote, but instead moved that the
vote by which the former were adopted be laid
on the table. He made the error however Of
not asking that this motion be laid on the table
Assemblyman Schoeneck quick TO seize tho
opportunity presented, and Immediately moved
the previous question on Green's motion. This
was carried despite the protests Of the intro
Queer, who too late realized the error he had
made. The Green motion was then put to a
vote and lost by large majority. thus cutting
off any chance Of passing the bin later.
The Ralston amendments adopted by a
vote Of % to 26. after sharp and acrimonious
debate. Particularly bitter was Assemblyrnan
Schoeneck's attack on the bill in its original
form. The Governor wants direct nomina-
ton bill but he does not want any such damn
fool measure this Isl he shouted, humping
his desk vigorously that his glasses for mo-
ment assumed rakish tilt on his forehead
This bill simply invites the political bosses to
decapitate themselves" he continued. at prac-
ticay says to them. Go and count yourself
out. How does this measure operate? When
political boss becomes so corrupt that the men
he dominates are unsavory to the people some
reformers in the ncighborhood will have TO go
to him and ask his permission TO nominate r,sn
who are opposed to him CHE boss). and who IL
elected will destroy him politically. Now this
is nice, sensible proposition. 1t is reasonable
to suppose that that boss party leader will
give his consent 10 the nomination of n man who
is opposed to him. is it not? | do not think we
have reached the stage in this state where 1t is
time to depose political bosses or where the
people have lost their confidence IN party lead
ers and the party machine"
Assemblymen Prentice and Robinson also
spoke against .he bill. Both Of them repudiated
It the Governors bin both said they be-
lieved in the principle of direct nominations but |
could not support the Green bill. because II /
was too loosely drawn and too fun of errors"
Assemblyman Robinson objected particularly 10 |
the provision requiring only fifty signatures for |
a nomination and the failure to make provisions |
for testing the signatures IF this bill Is |
passed" he declared every court in New Yorl, /
City will be inundated with litigation before /
the year is out"
Against the long list OF Assemblymen who !
spoke in opposition to the bin Q9Yy two men |
besides the introducer supported il. Assembly |
man Moreland the majority leader. and Assem-
blynan Wainwright, introducer of the national |
guard investigation bill were the two who ad-
Vocated II. They both admitted that the bill
was not perfect, but they said they thought Il
a good measure and worthy Of a trial The
amendments which Mr.. Green has just offered
20 his bill make II to my mind an acceptable
measure and one the majority members OF this
House should support" declared Mr. Moreland
II you adopt the Ralston amendments you
virtually Kill the direct nominations bill, and
you know that well as ! do"
Mr. Wainwright argued along similar lines.
he said that the bill good in principle and
ne thought it would prove to be beneficial in
practice. al