New-York tribune., 1909-02-21

1t Is entirely practicable to provide for enrol
ment OF party voters throughout the state.
There Is now pernissive system Of town en-
roiment which can easily be made the basis of
mandatory plan. In the smaller communities
IN which personal registration is not required
the party voters may be enrolled In the same
manner as the voters are registered and the en-
roiInent may be subject 20 correction in an ap
propriate manner by making provision for the
addition or striking out OF names improperly
districts show that instead of being a burden
an enrolment Will be an important safeguard
against frauds now committed
Second-Primary Regulation and Cost-The
primary election should be held under regula
tons similar TO those which govern general cleo
tons, and the cost of ballots. polling places
supplies. inspection and the like should be borne
by the public.
Third-Expenses of Candidates-The purposes
should be defined FOR which money may be ex-
pended in connection with primary elections and
the amounts which may be expended by candi-
dates should be limited. If the expenses Of can
didates can be limited and defined in connection
with general elections-and laws have already
been enacted for this purpose-they can similar
" be limited and defined in connection with pri-
mary elections.
An important deterrent with regard to the
improper use of money may be supplied by pro-
viding for the publication of primary campaign
contributions and expenses by and on behalf of
candidates Immediately after the primary cleo
tion and before the general election Stringent
laws should be passed upon this subject the
some other states.
Unless to surrender our free nstitu-
lions, we cannot sacrifice the principle OF the
right of the people to select their officers the
right Of party voters to select their candidates.
10 the fear of the improper use OF money. Rather
should We preserve our institutions by striking
at the corrupt deals and bargains which are
favored by the despotic use OF political power
and at the same time safeguard the franchise
10 which party voters entitled by suitable
provision for publicity and by properly penaliz-
ing corrupt practices.
BELIEF IN PARTY ORGANIZATION.
Fourth-Party Observation-Disclosures exist in
fact, and will continue to exist. Party organ
iZation is necessary and will continue.
believe in party organization and desire 10
see II strong, efficient and representative. |
favor direct nominations, not blow to
parties, but as a means for bringing the man
spirit of our institutions.
Legislation will not alter human nature We
shall still have schemers and cQues We shall
sagacity and knowledge of men command and
deserve following and blaze the trail Of polit-
desire that political leadership should be justi-
fed by honorable effort Political power with
out suitable checks invites a selfish domination
which is miserable counterfeit OF true political
lea dership. The necessary checks must be pro-
vided by keeping the managers Of party affairs
closely accountable to the party voters and de-
pendent upon their will freely expressed for their
continuance in power. To accomplish this OBJ
Ject the party organization should be so ar
direCtiE
voters. or. in the language of the Court of
Appeals. shall be constructed from the bottom
upwards" instead Of from the top downwards.'
The proper constitution of party committees is
Of especially great Importance II they to per-
form the functions 20 which / shall refer later
in connection with the nomination Of candidates
In that view IL is particularly necessary that
their representative character should be as,
sured.
committee should be elected in their respective
districts directly by the voters of those districts
For example, II the members of the state
nittee be chosen from Congressional districts
the party voters in given Congressional district
would vote directly for the member from that
district.
With respect 10 other committees Il is inpor-
tant that there should not be undue number
Of party representatives 10 be chosen for the at
tention Of voters should be properly focused
upon those to be voted for in their districts.
This may readily be accomplished by having the
voters choose directly those who to represent
them in given committee and by having the
other committees built up from directly
chosen.
Thus the county committee may be made up
Of members coming from small unit districts
and elected directly by the voters of such dis
tricts. Those members Of the county committee
who reside within a given unit district may con-
stitute the committee of that district. Those
members of the county committee who reside
within a given Assembly district may constitute
the Assembly district committee Where city
is within the county the members OF the county
committee who reside within the city may be
constituted the city committee The number Of
members in the county committee and the num-
Der OF those TO be chosen as members thereof
from the respective unit districts may be deter
mined upon such basis will recognize the diff
ferent situations in the respective counties. so
that the county committee should neither be too
large nor too small for proper representation.
Committees Of larger districts than counties
as for example. Senatorial, judicial and Congress
sional district committees. and the city commit
tee in New York. could be made up from the
respective county committees upon basis per
mitting proportional representation.
On such a plan the party voter az the primary
would vote for member of the state commit
tee and for specified number of members Of
the county committee. II would be simple and
Where e is customary to
choose an executive member OF the Assembly
district, he could also be voted for directly. 1
do not intend to be understood as suggesting
an exclusive plan. bat simply as pointing out the
feasibility Of perfectns a plan which would
take proper account OF custom and tradition
and at the same time avoid the placing of a host
of names upon the ballot for a great variety of
committees. and provide for an efficient and rep
resentative party organization.
NO ADVANTAGE TO ANY ONE.
Suitable provision should be made for noni-
nations for these party positions by petition
And the primary ballot should be so arranged
date, or group of candidates, for memberships
in party committees
on primary day the voters with respect TO
candidates for membership in party committees
should stand upon the same footing There
should be no regulars or "irregulars." Those
enjoying committee places should not be re-
garded ''the organization and others as be-
yond it's pale 1t should be freely recognized
that IL is open day for the selection by the
party voters Of those whom they desire to rep
resent them on party committees when they
may express their choices without fear OF favor
We should cultivate the tradition that party
members have equal rights with respect to the
party organization. and that the real enemy 10
his party is not the that asserts his inde-
pendence in making his choice. but the man
who tries to blacklist or boycott such a one
in order TO remain in power
F1fth-Nomtnations Of Candidates for EIec-