New-York tribune., 1909-04-01
WRECK OF PIER WHERE EXPLOSIVE HAD
BEEN PLACED.

where have the people abandoned this scheme once
they adopted 1t"
Mr. Wadhams said that people were not opposed
10 party leaders when they suggested this system.
They do object action arbitrary and final"
sald he AS stated by Senator Root, they desire to
have the oportunity participate in party affairs
and TO say to the leaders when necessary. You
have misrepresented US"
Chairman Phillips wanted to know IL the people
took such an interest IN affairs. why it that
Governor Hughes the only man on the Reput-
lican state ticket elected last fall by a minority
vote. Mr.. Wadhams said that was undoubtedly be-
cause many things had entered into the issue them
but chiefly because no campaign made against
the Republican candidates for state offices all the
fire being concentrated Mr. Hughes Answer
ing question from Assemblyman Sheridan. he
said that this Tar different proposal from the
present system Of nominating Independent cand-
dates by petition. This would give the enrolled
party voter, angered at arbitrary boss methods the
oportunity TO work within his party lines.
NO INTEREST IN PRESENT SYSTEM"
You say there is no interest in primaries and
You can't egislate interest into them" said Mr..
Wadiams '"Of course there is no interest in the
existing system It cloroforms civic activity. Fut
there IS great interest in every state where they
have direct primaries. and the figures show II.
don't know what you going to do with this bill
gentlemen. You the arbiters Of its destiny
But I call your attention the fact that this
movement IS stirring every state IN the Union. II
can be decided only in one way. Why this popu-
iarity OF our Governor II you had heard the
of applause for him in Washington. as I
heard them, you would appreciate the regard in
which he is held. That regard is not for the man
aIone-but for the principle he advocates. He is
recognized as a great leader of the people
Mr.. Phillips asked II such a reception was not
given TO every New York State Executive. A burst
OF derisive laughter went UP from all over the
Assembly chamber.
Edward P White Of T--falo. representing the
Hughes Workers declared that he had nothing 10
say beyond the fact that people in Buffalo wanted
this bill. showing the greatest interest in f.
regardless of party, and were going TO have = nc<
later.
Charles s. Aronstam, president OF the Logan Club
and representing the Young Republican Club, Of
Brooklyn advocated bill. saying that the bosses
might as well attempt stop the from shin
ing and the waves from rolling as to stop the
progress Of the direct primary movement
Joseph O. Hammltt. OF the Citizens Union, filed
with committee figures compiled by the Secre-
taries of State in all those commemorative now
having direct primaries The figures showed q
tremendous increase in primary voting COM
pared with voting before direct primaries were
adopted.
MASTER OF STATE GRANGE SPEAKS.
F \. Godfrey, master of the State Grange
spoke for the eighty-hve thousand farmers in
that organization. asking favorable consideration
Of direct nominations bill
Mr. Mckeen was the first speaker for the oppo-
of great value in crises though he admitted that
the convention system frequently abused and
that political chicanery had crept in. He said
that come features of the proposed bill al
certain 10 bring success TO the evils in 20
litical life. He admitted that in counties where
a party nomination equivalent TO election
there was strong reason for something like direct
nominations, but the whole he did not think
that government in the direct primary states was
better than IN those that have the convention sys
tenn
DR. Loyal Copeland, Of the Homeopathic Col
lege in New York. Of Mr. Young's neighbors in
Testchester County. rehearsed all the stock objec
tions 20 the direct primary scheme, he said he
had observed its workings in Michigan where he
had formerly lived.
John c. Ten Eyck. also Of Westchester and ".
A. Chadbourne, who said that signatures TO any
kind Of a petition could be obtained in New York
for % cents apiece, notaries fees thrown in, also
spoke Mr. Young who had acted stage man
ager for the opposition, closed the arguments