New-York tribune., 1909-01-13
N. J. PRIMARY LAWS
GOUernor Urges Direct Nomination.
Bishops Lac Must Stand.

Trenton, Jan. 12-Governor Fort in his g..
annual message TO the Legislature to-day a.
pressed his entire approval Of the direct prirns-
laws tested in the state prior to the last ..c.
ton, and also recommends the appointuent -
county excise boards. and says that the merabsr,
of the Legislature could not, except in bad taits
to the people, repeal the Bishops law
After urging the Legislature to pass the prooo..s
constitutional amendments. the Governor asks ths
power Of removal Of public officials
The separation of the motor vehicle depsr+rs,.
from the Secretary Of States Office is recommend.
ed and the Governor then takes up the inportant
subject OF excise legislation
We have difficulty in enforcing the RESTRICTIVE,
features Of the excise laws we now have n il ~
dOubtedly true that public Official should enforcs
all the laws matter whether they nave pubis
approval or not But he cannot fully perform III,
duty il public sentiment IS against the enforcement
one thing is EVIDENT that the majority party n a.
Legislature cannot. except in bad faith with ths
pledged TO maintain that law and the present Gov
ute S'A'-
cities is recommended In referring 70 the direcs
primary law the message says:
The primaries held in this state the last year
under the direct primary act met with general
potent voice in selecting candidates With the legal
protection thrown around the ballot fraud IS pre-
vented The primary is the source or all political
power and it must be kept pure and in close touch
with the people. To oppose throwing around the
enCOura ge fraud There was abundant proof OF tia
erossest frauds in the primaries heid in certain
places this state in April last. when delegates
were being elected select delegates to the na-
tional convention This clearly due TO the fact
that there was no law regulating that primary elec
ton To II is the most astounding thing IN gov
ernment that men honorable in every other walk
OF life will cOUnteuanCe fraud at the primary and
at times IN the general elections
Fraudulent registration, Illegal voting. repeatng
" the dead or insane. marking ballots to maks
void vote and the like. are crimes OF character
so detestabe that punishment IS too severe. No
party and no organization in party Is deserving
Of ANYTHING but defeat that resorts TO these things
The remedy for il all Is to keep near the peops
raenr of all general and primary elections
I recommend the extension OF the present direct
primary the selection OF delegates 10 the national
conventions Of the respective political parties and
10 the election of party committees And for NY
self thoroughly believe in its application TO the
nomination OF candidates for Governor and Repre-
santatfves in Congress If obligatory law could
be passed applicable 10 the selection OF United
states Senators by the respective parties would 90
heartily in favor OF that
I recommend that the present Legislature pacs
New jersey with the other states VINO nave asked
for the submission Of this amendment 70 tne Legis-
lature for ratification
The Governor says the present voting rachi1s
laws should be repealed amended so that the
voter could see for whom he votes He asserts that
the only marked ballot that should be rejected Is
one that shows marking by clear design to Identity
IL from other ballots.
AsserbIyrnan John D Prince. professor OF foreign
languages in Columbia University, was elected
Speaker Of the House