New-York tribune., 1909-04-03
WEAKENS HUGHES CAMP
MEMBER LOST.
Replaced By Foe Of Direct Nomina-
t!Ons Measure.
TBy Telegraph to The I.ibune.I

By Telegraph TO The Tribune.
Albany, April 2.-SupporteTS of Governor Hughes 9
direct nominations proposal in a change III the
details Of Assembly organization announced to-day
clever bit Of practical politics the part Of the
Governors adversaries. BY it the latter take a
strong friend OF the direct nominations bill out of
strategic position and replace him by one of their
own adherents.
Assemblyman eCrson J. Weimert of Buffalo re-
signed from the Ju ilcary Committee and was ap-
pointed member of the cities Committee sue
cee1lng John Lord O Trian who resigned from the
Assembly to become United States Attorney at
Buffalo Clarence MacGregor Of Buffalo. was ap-
pointed to succeed Weimert the judiciary Com
mttee. Weimert a strong ro-Hughes man
WIN his vote the Hughes men in the committee
figured they could inf Iencs committee action as
to protect the bill least force report on it.
MacGregor is opposed the bill Weimert's change
Of position is generally considered a promotion
1t was represented him as being. advanta geous
IN that 1t would afford opportunities of ser
vice to Buffalo than place on a committee con
siderng legal affairs
The Assembly leaders plan to have the Rules
COMMITTEES take charge OF affairs latter part Of
next week or the fore part of the week following
Assemblyman Jesse Phillips said to-day that the
final hearing on The direct n, limitations bin on
Wednesday was planned for a joint hearing of
Senate and Assembly committees. He said ne had
heard intimations that this was to be the only
hearing the Senate committee would give on the
measure abandoning the hearing on April H. Sen
ator Hinman in:roducer of the hill protested vehe-
mently to Chairman Davis Of the Senate judiciary
Committee against such action Senator Hinman
Is seriously i'll now. and probably Will he able
10 attend the hearing next week
State Chairman Woodruff to-day before leaving
Albany replied to the question of the plain voter
at the hearing Wednesday who wanted to know
why the bosses all were opposing the Governors
bill II it would concentrate power in their hands
Il wonder II that gentleman couldn't imagine
men-even politicians by motives other
than desire FOR personal advantage? It's Just
possible. you know that Republican leaders or
bosses II YOU Ike the term better could desire the
welfare Of the party and the people at large I
am not In politics for the benefit Of my pocket: ::
everybody KNOWS that Francis Hendricks Fred
Greiner. Herbert Parsons. J. sloat Fassett-an are
so situated financially that they don't work poll
tics the money there might be IN H.
Under the bill the Governor favors the organiza-
tion leaders would gain greater degree OF control
though they'd have To- work harder for IT, There
would be within tho orgau!za ton a much greater
struggle obtain control. The men making this
agitation. almost without exception men who
have failed TO get nominations obtain place
IN the organization Under the Hughes scheme
they wouldn't succeed any better. there would
be the opportunity for bitter fight I'm the
primaries. and continual struggle would ensue
certain TO disrupt the party"
Nir Woodruff said he and all other right think
ing party leaders depored this, and would far
rather fight the Democrats than fellow RepubIi-
cans. More time and money would be required to
maintain efficient organization under the Hughes
plan, and the facilities FOR arbitrating affairs with
in the organization would be gone.
organization leaders. headed by Senator Raines
protesting that the system Of representation
provided for in the Hughes bill would disrupt ,x-
listing conditions completely and practically.
in minority control or domination Of county affairs
by large towns and cities. Under the present laws
each political party has the right determine It's
own procedure and basis of representation in con-
ventions and committees. The Republicans there
fore. permit each city. county, Assembly or Cons
gress district committee convention TO make its
rules and basis OF representation. The state
committee makes its and serves as a court of
appeal in disputes between counties in Senate or
Congress districts the smaller committee
or convention squabbles when they are serious
This would be done away with by the Hughes
bill and uniform system Of representation ac-
cording TO votes cast would be established.
Realizing that there is chance for mis- state
wide official primary ballot bill. which was intro
duced early In the session. Assemblyman Artenas
Ward, jr.. to-day introduced a bill providing for
an official primary ballot for New York City alone
The bill is similar to the measure applying to the
whole state II provides that TO be
placed on ballot by two sorts of petitions: one
the enrolled nominators petition and the other the
committee nominators.