New-York tribune., 1909-02-17
NAY SHIFT TO HUGHES
Continued from fsrst page

less dreadful TO them than the bare name "di-
rect primaries" did at first Whether not
this BILL when it is finally drafted. will meet the
Governors desires absolutely because of the
form these features may take, is rather what
is worrying them now. They are taking it for
granted that so many Hughes men, outspoken
direct primary advocates, would not be working
TO perfect this plan, though unless they knew it
would be acceptable TO the Governor And some
who up 20 date have been bitter against any
kino' variety or species of direct nominations
are conceding that it would be a good thing
ioT the credit of the party Il the Governor and
Republican leaders could get together on a bill
TO meet the public desire for a revision of the
primary laws" They waiting eagerly for
the Brooklyn speech, to see what tone the Gov
ernor takes about having them support him.
MR. wADSWORTH'S STATEMENT.
Speaker Wadsworth is not yet IN that class
though He made public statement tonight
In which he quotes at length from a report of
the Boston Finance Commission which for
nearly two years. pursuant to an act of the
Massachusetts Legislature and the Boston City
council, has been investigating the govern
mental conditions Of the city of Boston. The
report says in part
This investigation has unearthed abuses and cor
Fbpu3n R Of startling nature and has traced back
@ Ils development OF these abuses to the political
conditions arising from the operation of direct
nominations in the city of Boston. Their report
mas just been submitted 70 the City Council and
Iegisiature, and on page % we find the following
While the present syster, of7 uo1,inatinr 80
candidates for Mayor and City Council at primary
cient TO the caucus and delegate convention has
operates to make the nomination and election of
representative citizens 70 the elective offices OF the
cay government more difficult than under the for
Under the convention system it IS possible for a
P.,L 70 nominate or lndorse candidate from the
other party If II so desires This has frequently
the county officers, and once in the case of the
Mayor Under the present primary system this
can be nominated in the Democratic primaries and
primaries. Voters who would like to see their
party lndorse strong member OF tn. the & opposite
weak candidate of their own are powerless TO &C
Cur present electoral machinery is wholly un
suited TO the requirements of successful munici;
Of bringing the choice Of candidates nearer to the
people. it has erected welnigh insurmOuntabe
barriers between the individual voter and the free
selection to which he is entitled. and which he
citizen Il has made il artincialiy difficult to Sc
and most representative citizens from participa-
tion in the government it has increased the power
city over 10 the ward politicians. II tends 10 Gre
people may desire good government. and to dis
credit the capacity of the people when congregated
together in great cities to administer their ml-
nicipal affairs
AssembIyman Goodspeed of Kings County.
introduced to-day the first direct nomination
bin to be placed before the Legislature this
year 1t is. however ths measure Of the lnde-
pendence League and not that OF the Governor.
The introducer, who the Republican cRndi-
date from the 1st Assembly District OF Kings
County was indorsed by the Independence
League said that he presented the bill at the
request Of the league. 1t provides for mandatory
direct nominations, like the bill introduced for
the last two years by G F. Foley, former As
sernblyman from Niagara County. at the re-
quest of Hearst cohorts, but il has no provision
for referendum on the question Nomination
by nomination papers. at present provided
for independent nominations is allowed under
the measure.
The names are to be arranged alpha betically
on the primary ballot and the several party
tickets are to be fastened together, the voter
detaching the one he wishes to mark Provision
is made for voting for first and second choices
at the primaries. which TO be open in all
election districts in cities from a. to p m.
and in all other election districts from a. m.
q 6 u III