The sun., 1908-05-13
1 BILL no HELP MCARREN.
He selLes on Gov, Hughesp RecOmmenda-
uOna to Reform Party Elections.


ALBANY, May l2-Through the medium
Of legislation recommended by Gov Hughes
in his message to the extra session OF the
LeRislafure Senator Patrick II. MCCarren,
the deposed Kings county leader, expects
to resume his place IA a member OF the
Democratic State committee. The Gov
ernor's recommendation that the Legislature
enact suitable legislation for the regulation
Of party organizations and conventions
strikes the Brooklyn Senator most favorably
and he believes something will be done
At the extra session that will undo the work
OF Fingy Conners,
Senator McCanen and Assemblyman
d. c. Robinson lost no time in getting be-
fore the Legislature bill carrying out
the views Of the ousted State committee
man from Kings county. The bill provides
for another election Of State committee
men in the Democratic party In connection
with the next election OF delegates TO the
Democratic State convention. The bill
saws
% There shall be but one election OF State
committeeman ia any year ln-which more
than one State convention Ia held. except
that where 10 the year 1908 q state conven-
tion. as such has assumed thN naming ofa
state committee Of members equal to the
number Of Senatorial districts in the state
there shall be new election In that year
Of state committeeman at the next succeed
ing state convention by the duly elected
Assembly district delegates from each
Senatorial district
The bill is intended also TO prevent the
= To- GNoVa obi N
he is a member Of the committee. Another
important provision NJ the bill is this:
No state committeeman shall be expelled
removed or suspended from said committee
upon any preteyt or tor any cause whatever
except, upon conviction for felony or
conviction for a violation Of any Of the pro-
visions Of this act. The state committee
shall have power TO MI any vacancy In lie
membership which may occur by reason OF
DEATH resignation or removal, but II shall be
unlawful for a state convention to elect
State committeeman or for State COM
mittee TO increase or alter the membership
thereof, except for the hlling Of vacancies as
herelnbefore provided. Neither shall It be
lawful for any state committeeman, apolitcal
party or any subcommittee thereof or any
special committee authorized or appointed
bv state convention to enter any county In
this state aud set aside. disband, change or
reorganize any local political organization
or portions thereof, and any such inter-
vention, interference or alteration OF exist
ing political organizations shall be held and
regarded az null and void il being the intent
OF this act TO extend TO the local political
organizations OF this State the benefit and
protection nvolvded In the principle or policy
Of home rule in their local political affairs.
The bill prevents the binding Of dele-
gates by the unit rule, for it provides that
each delegate TO a State convention shall
be entitled 10 vote in accordance with his
own wishes regardless Of the adoption of
the unit rule. and any delegate may have
the right 10 have his name called. In order
to prevent the practice Of getting up a con-
test the bill requires the presiding otticer
and secretary Of each Assembly district
convention for the election Of delegates
10 a State convention 10 file the list OF
delegates elected in a district held partly
under the primary election laws with the
custodian OF primary records. in districts
where the primary election law does not
apply with the county clerk Of the county
in which the Assembly district is situated.
These officers are to transmit within forty
eight hours after the receipt Of the lists
State committee.
Senator MCCarren's bill also aims to
take from the State conventions the power
Of unseating delegates. as II provides that
contests are 10 be determined by the courts
Of the district II no application Ia made
TO the courts TO have the act Of the Assembly
district convention reviewed 1t shall he
conclusive and binding upon the State
convention to seat the delegates certified to
by the proper officers.
Applications for a review Of the proceed
ings Of the district conventions must be
mace within forty-eight hours after the
convention is held II shall be the duty OF
the secretary Of each State committee to
place the names Of the delegates certified
TO him or judicially determined to have
been elected upon the temporary roll OF the
State convention, and the temporary roll
ia to become the permanent roll OF dele
gates. Anv act TO deprive delegate Of his
right to a seat in the convention is to be a
misdemeanor.