New-York tribune., 1909-04-16
CHEERS GREET HUGHES
MIKES STEERING SPEECH
ON .DIRECT PRIN 4RIES.
He Points Ont EJilS of COnrcntion
System to Large 4udicnce IN
Brooklyn Music .1cademy.

Governor Hughes, In the home of mis- direct
nomination friends. at the Academy of Music in
Brooklyn. continued last night his campaign
against the convention system with a ringing
speech which met with prompt and enthusiastic
applause The meeting was under the auspices
Of the BROOKLYN Young Republican Club, whose
members before it was prepared consulted him
about the Hinnlan-Creen bill which was finally
shelved at Albany yesterday. In opening, the
Governor said that he still stood for the same
principles enunciated when he spoke in Brook
Iyn as d candidate seven months ago
I did not present my sentiments then for
campaign purposes" he said L am not Gov
ernor for political purposes. l trying simply
10 see what be done to perfect our instru-
n7entalities for public administration" He dis
claimed attacking particular persons or parties
in this instance; 1t was the system which he
arraigned
As the Governor warmed up and elaborated
his ideas the great audience thrilled with en-
thUsiastic response. If any present. he said se
one time. believed that the picture Of boss con-
trol was overdrawn they should close their eyes
and think OF the opposition party This won in
stant appreciation. and burst of laughter and
applause followed
Nominations under the present system. Gov
ernor Hughes said. were made. not by the party
but by the few active men whose followers had
the discipline of army and who had become
obsessed with their own power to such an ex-
tent that they regarded themselves as the party
and opposition to their usurpation as party trea-
son. Conventions were the mere echo of
the wishes Of the few. he said
SHOULD FEAR THE FEW. HE SAYS.
4 believe in government by the people
don't believe in anything else" was met with d
burst of cheering and calls of approval. 1T is
few" he said. and then followed references to
machine methods which won much laughter.
The Governor was introduced by Darwin r.
James jr. who presided. and when the ap-
plause subsided he said:
Some may think that the movement for the
direct nomination OF party candidates by the
party voters represents a transient sentiment
without staying power. Such persons are care
less readers OF our history. We witnessing
a natural growth. an inevitable evolution in po-
litical methods. II is the latest development in
our progress toward securing institutions that
truly representative. There may be OBJ
stacles to overcome, but can dam up
that current
our experience shows that the delegate sys-
TEN places power in the hands of the few who
make q business Of politics II offers no fair
work securing e livelihood and who has no
time 10 devote TO the fortunes of those who are
seeking TO build UP organization for political
control
Who make the party nominations Not tne
PARTY but few active whose followers
have the discipline Of an army and who become
so obsessed with their own power that thev
seem TO regard themselves the party and op-
position TO their uSurpations as party trea son
have repeatedly said that l am dealing with
z system and do not desire TO discuss particular
persons or particular parties. But who
activity is to secure personal control. and
through patronage to perpetuate il? And the
key 70 this power is that opportunity to control
nominations which is afforded by our present
method Our vices Of administr, tion are mainly
due 10 this; for these vices do not as a rule
result from inCompetenCy. but from faVoritism.
What an extraordinary thing il is in free
community with officers elected BY the people
10 perform certain duties defined by the statutes
that they should frequently be under orders
from men who have not been invested by the
people with any public responsibility What is
the secret of this power II is the control Of
the nomination
This is the easy avenue by which powerful
special interests. by which law evaders and law
breakers may make their corrupt approaches.
The question is a fundamental one. II a party
leader is honestly trying TO serve his party he
should welcome the support and ready to
abide by the decision of the party voters. If a
man is seeking public office with a sincere de-
sire to serve his constituency he should be pro-
tected from the demands Of any political creator
other than the constituency itself If a public
officer is faithfully endeavoring 10 do his duty
he should have the right to appeal to those
whom he is serving. and he should be emanci-
Tated from selfish efforts to hold him In bondage
He NAV be proof against open corruption but
how many are in a position TO resist the insidi-
Gus influences Of those who make and unmake
political careers
The evil * plain enough: the wretched fall
urr Of the Nention system is obvious enough;
and the question Is. What shall be done?
The answer is: Give the party voters a chance
70 nominate the candidates: transfer the power
IN no uncertain way TO the party members:
make them the final arbiters Of party nomina
lions.
As the professed object Of all plans has been
20 give the party voters this right. and exist
ing methods. while recognizing the right in prin-
ciDle defeat its exercise in practice. the remedy
* TO cut through the web in which the voters
are enmeshed and secure them opportunity
for free expression of their will This is direct
nominations
II would seem either that one must deny the
right 81 the party voters nominate the candi-
dates or else find some insuperable obstacle TO
its direct exercise IL he would oppose this plan.
He cannot maintain denial of tht light. and
the question really Is, What reasons are there
FOR not having il directly exercised?
The reasons which have been suggested can
readily be met in providing a suitable system.
II it be said that the party voters cannot be
identified the answer is that they are identified
now in our large cities by method of enrol
rnent In Kings County. for example, the great
bulk of the voters are enrolled The system
can readily be extended throughout the state
You can just as readily ascertain the party vot-
ers for the purpose of having them vote direct
" as for having them vote for elusive delegates
n Is said that direct nominations would be
pressed that the party voters should attend the
r,-Ir1arv So far as holding the primaries is