New-York tribune., 1909-04-16

voted for
With regard to the expenses of candidates,
who shall tell of the levies that have been made
upon candidates in the past? Expenses can
readily be limited and their purposes defined
The poor man who has the qualifications for
once must generally rely, and ought to rely
upon the confidence of his fellow citizens DI-
rect nominations opens the door TO man who
Is both poor and independent who IS ready 10
serve the people and no one else
OCtcry has been made that the plan inter
feres with party organization. 1t viii seriously
Interfere with selfish party organization; 1t VIII
largely put an end TO that kind of machine dom
ination which relies for its control upon the
difficulty with which the voters at large can
influence nominations. But there Is no reason
why il should interfere with proper party Or
ganiZation one of the main objects Of such
plan should be- in my judgment. to provide
place for party activities which at once re
sponsible and representative. You do not de
stroy a thing by covering il up. Party organi-
Zation will continue. and the proper course Is to
give it recognized place for dlscharglng us
legitimate function. Every church, every cup
and every instiJr: ion needs men who are deVot-
ing themselves 10 its success ana VINO give 10
it an amount of time which the ordinary mem
bers cannot command Their consultations cnI,
their advice and their efforts are needed ana
should be welcome and helpful. But they should
not have irresponsible power. They should be
under check; they should be appreciated ser
wants and not masters.
Therefore l think it an advantage in a plan
of direct nominations to provide for responsible
party authorities who will submit to the party
voters the names of candidates whom they be-
leve to be qualified to represent the party.
Green bill.
This feature has been distorted and misrepre-
sented. It has been said that its purpose was
to take away from conventions the right 10
nominate and to give it to party committees
This is not true
When the convention nominates the act is
final. If the party voters do not like the nom
ination. they have recourse save to holt the
ticket Their only alternative is to vote the
ticket Of another party prepared in the same
manner and perhaps under worse influences
Under the Hnman-Green bill the party COM
rnittees have right to nominate. 1t is the
party voters alone who by their direct vote at
the primaries make the nomination The choice
lies with them absolutely, Party committees
may suggest and the party voters may approve
disapproVe. they please. The party voters
may themselves directly suggest candidates by
petition, and the decision is made at the prl-
mary election.
1t is of great Importance tha; party organza-
tion should he put upon representative basis
different communities, and number of cunning
contrivances IL adjust the balance of power
The methods Of party representation are too
frequently fixed up for the purpose of political
control rather than for proper expression OF the
wishes Of the party voters These matters
should be dealt with reasona bly,. But the point
is that the party voters entitled to choose
the candidates; that is the real question at
issue.
Th. main purpose of the bill is to provide that
on a certain day the party members should
have an opportunity to so to a particular place
within their respective districts. and there cast
vote for the man they want as the party can
iidate- The rest Is merely to safeguard the
right. protect II from abuse. ana TO give all
concerned a fair opportunity. If the party lead
ers were disposed to recognize the right of the
party voters To name the candidates directly at
the primary. there would be little trouble in
providing a fair plan for the exercise of the
right. The real difficulty is that such plan
threatens not party organization. not political
activity but the power they now hold and de-
sire to retain
GIVE THE VOTER A CHANCE.
Much solicitude has been expressed lest the
voter will not avail himself of the opportunity
which may be afforded. Give him the chance.
Let the average citizen feel that he counts. Let
him understand that he has a mans weight in
determining the policy of his party by going To
the primary and voting not for delegates about
whom he knows nothing. but for the he
wants. I suspect that the trouble is that it is
feared that the party voters will avail them
selves Of the chance il they have it
our reliance is upon fntelgen. opinion
Every year the electorate becomes better edu-
Gated and in all communities there is a
constant development of civic spirit We shall
make mistake If we give a freer course to
intelligent opinion. You must in the last analy-
sis depend upon it You cannot afford to con-
fde the control Of government to few because
YOU are afraid Of the many Experience shows
that it is the feW of whom you should be
afraid.
providing for the election Of our principal Off
GERS of government Granted this, you cannot
improve the system but you are more likely to
corrupt il by allowing few to dictate the nom
nations To the extent that that power is held
absolutely. to that extent government becomes
corrupt To the extent that the power is weak
ened by wholesome public opinion, TO that ex-
tent have decent administration. and the aim
should be to give public opinion natural and
direct method of expression instead Of securing
its salutary force in indirect and more difficult
ways.
not believe that the people fail 70 realize the
evils of the present system or viii long tolerate
its continuance. / believe that the party voters
will insist upon their rights and that one
will be permitted to deny them.
This is not a personal affair of mine I have
advocated the adoption of a plan of direct nom
nations because ! believe ii to be in the in
teresI of the people of the state have no
desire TO urge it if ii is not wanted, and. on the
other hand, 1t should not be defeated if it is
wanted
That which has engaged the attention Of so
many states cannot be dismissed here peremp-
toriIy It will remain a question Of paramount
Importance until the judgment OF the people has
Enthusiastically been expressed. 1t viii be dis
clIssed in every community. and the will Of the
people Will become clear that he who runs
NAV read. Illustrations of the need of d change
i'm our methods will constantly be afforded to
challenge attention and 10 support the argu-
ment This is 50 because the present system
must continually evidence its ogarchiCal feat
ures and its untoward results.
] am not in the least impatient Discussion
will merely clarity the issue and present it more
eha arDlv. And eventually. despite all obstacles,
the people viii have their way
Governor Hughes was entertained at dinner
by friends at the Crescent Athletic Club No I29
Pierrepont street. Brooklyn. He went from the
club direct to the Academy of Music. Before he
arrived Rabbi stephen s Wise of the Free
Synagogue. spoke. unfolding the Governor In
his fight for direct nominations Rabbi Wise
said that il might be said that the last rites over
the Hnman-Green bill had been performed and
that he there to preach the funeral sermon
But he reminded the audience that this was thu
sea son of the resurrection.
Governor Hughes had arrived while Dr. Wise
was speaking, and stood III the wings until he
had finished Then he went the stage and
the audience rose and cheered William 4
Prendergast Register of the County, followed
Wiz In f1n inc ha