New-York tribune., 1908-09-14

was that the platform shall contain nothing con-
cerning the Massachusetts ballot, only kindly
reference to the direct primary nominations idea
and faint praise for the anti-gambling legisla-
ton of last winter. The various leaders around
the state are almost 10 a man opposed TO the
Massachusetts ballot. The Governor has urged
its adoption on different occasions. but the bill
carrying out his ideas never got out Of the Sen
ate committee. One Of the conferrees said to
Tribune representative:
The Massachusetts ballot would be unconsttu
tional in this state unless the party emblem was
printed before each name on the ticket the
names are arranged alphabetically, and the
voter would have to search all over the pailot
I and mark each name We have mad q rather
unfortunate experience with ballot innovations.
and we know that the farmers will not stand for
a change in the present ballot right away. The
most serious defect in the Massachusetts ballot
IS that the candidates far down on the ticket DO
not receive full vote The voters pick out the
candidates running for prominent offices, ana
after they have placed the cross mark opposite
Nhey disregard all the other names on the ticket
AS to direct primary nominations. the leaders
do not seriously object to them. 1t would not
do away with the so-caled boss system com
plained of by the Mugwumps.
In my county It would be possible, by making
a combination covering four towns, to control
absolutely the other fourteen towns in the
county. In Wisconsin, where the direct primary
cost the friends of Senator Stephenson about
$780, 900 TO carry the primaries for him against
the efforts Of the plain people. and stephenson.
whose chief asset is his millions. beat the other
fellows. That shows that the man with money
can beat the direct primary nomination plan II
he sets out in earnest TO do II.
BLACK BRINGS COMFORT.
Ex-Governor Black brought instalment of
comfort for the Hughes men. The solid Rensse-
laer delegation of, nineteen votes Is enthusiast
tically for the Governor and the positive stand
by tho former Governor and Mr.. Collins in favor
OF denomination put a good deal Of heart and
confidence into the Governors friends. The
former Governor his arrival had talk with
Cornelius V Collins. Representative Malby, of
St Lawrence and John F. O'Brien. former Sec
retary Of State. When asked about the stua-
ton, he said:
I have not had full opportunity to talk with
the leaders, but from what I have learned from
my friends it is clear that there is opposition
and q good deal Of bitterness toward the COY
ernor. but it is not formidable enough to ac-
complish his defeat. I fully believe Governor
Hughes viii be renominated. He has made a
good record as Governor It Is not a question
OF what you and I think. but what the people as
a whole think I convinced that the people
as whole think the Governor has been a good
Governor. The only logical thing 10 do is to
nominate him. l do not doubt the opposition
has 800 votes.
II might be possible TO get together that many
votes for various aspirants against the Gov
ernor but ii probably would be impossible 20
concentrate this opposition on one man
against the Governor. There are, for instance,
100 delegates for one man, 40 for another and
20 for another. but they only willing TO vote
for their own and for no other, except
Hughes. For that reason the opposition to the
Governor is not as serious as would appear from
the talk going around. Then, again, the oppo-
sition is based personal grievances against
the Governor, and the public has no patience
with men with personal grievances.
IF Hughes Is defeated what will happen?"
was asked
"The convention will nominate some one else,
and then the situation will indeed be interest
ing" said Mr.. Black
Ex-Governor Black said late tonight:
l am obliged to leave tomorrow to attend TO
an important law case. l ought not to have
come at all but l wanted to make clear my atti-
tUde with regard TO the denomination Of Gov
ernor Hughes. l believe, as l have believed all
the time, that he ought to be renominated. II
would be the height of political unwisdom to re-
fuse a denomination to a who has made the
record that he has made. The party will have
to go before the people on his record, and 70
turn down the man who made that record would
be the height of folly. ] have been here only
two hours in all to-day and am not in posi-
ton to say whether he will be renominated on
the first ballot, but shall be more surprised II
he Is not than II he is.
The struggle over the Governorshp to-day
completely overshadowed the competition for
the other places on the ticket but the various
aspirants for the minor places kept making hay.
Pictures and buttons for ex-Justice G. D. r.
Hasbrouck, of Kingston, who wants to be At
torney General, were extensively worn TO day.
The friends Of Charles S. Whitman, OF New
York, did lot of quiet work for him.
The Barnes men making a vigorous cam
paign in behalf of Mayor Charles H Gaus of
Albany, who will have the support OF the Albany
County delegation for Controller
w D. Barnes. of Rensselaer,, seems to have
commanding lead in the race for the nomination
for Secretary Of State.
The fight between Frank NJ Williams Of Mad
ison County; Lloyd Coils, of Westchester and
Arthur O'Brien. Of Utica for State Engineer
and Surveyor is spirited. The Williams men
had missionaries among the New York and
Brooklyn delegates tonight.
One Of the most earnest opponents of the
Governor, after a careful canvass of the dele
gates already the ground said late tonight:
81 have little confidence in beating Hughes. I
find that some of our people have been depend
ing figures which find are not correct. The
trouble is that q lot Of delegates who ordinarily
would obey orders are thinking for themselves.
They tell me they are not going to vote against
Hughes here and then go home to be crucifed
There is still fighting chance, but 1 do not
take much stock in it,"
Congressman Serene E. Payne, of Auburn
sad: 81 believe Governor Hughes will be re-
nominated Our delegation is for him. and
want to see him nominated"
PORTERS NAME HEARD