New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-03-05
LETTERS TOTHE EDITOR
NOMINATING Reform.
Contention That Independent Peti-
tions IRE Practically Impossible.
the Editor of The Tribune.

| To the Editor of The Tribune.
| Sir: II it seems desirable to move for a reform
{ in nominating methods. much be accomplished
| by clearly indicating the vulnerable points Of at
! tack relates TO existing conditions In this
| (Broone) county the representation in the Repub-
Ican county convention is fixed at three delegates
/ from each ward in the city of Binghamton and six
delegates from each town One Republican voter in
| the town of Nantcoke exercises twelve times as
much power in the county convention as does a
similar voter in the Sd Ward OF the city OF Bing-
! hamton While It would ridiculous TO out
slider that such system could be perpetuated. the
explanation is easy to practical men, The leaders
are able to keep the relatively small number of
strict party voters in the small towns In line for
the machine with much less effort than the larger
number of voters in the city, which latter more
inclined to independence, account of being better
served with newspapers and general political in
formation
In the Democratic State Convention the unit of
representation is the Assembly district. each dis
trict being accorded three delegates. Under this
system 1.730 Democratic voters in the county OF
Putnam the representation in the state
convention 6.37S voters OF the party in one
of the districts OF the city OF Albany Similar in
eQualities exist IN different degrees In the various
political divisions throughout the state and all go
, to show the pressing need for immediate reform.
In Governor Hughess Brooklyn address on the
10th he stated in effect. that Independent nominal
tons may be made now in accordance with law
Is he quite sure that they be made in all
cases? believe 1t be demonstrated that in a
majority of cases it is practically impossible to
make independent nominations
In the first place the number of signatures
quired for independent nominations is prohbitivs
in a very large number, If not a majority, of
possible cases. As you aware. the old Raines
law, passed In 1885, still governs IN these matters.
However drastic the evils of local government
might be. 1t would certainly be impossible In any
case to secure one-half OF the voters OF town to
indorse an independent nomination for Supervisor
or any town Office. In many of the wards OF the
smaller cities the same conditions obtain. Mani
testify the number OF signatures required to petit
ton for Independent nominations ought to be fixed
by a percentage and that small one. the
actual vote the last preceding general
ton
The second obstacle in the way of making indie
pendent nominations is in the shOrtness OF the time
allowed between the fling OF regular noplinations
and the others AS relates TO state Offices there
only five days allowed from the last day
which party nominations may be filed Cor the
preparation OF independent petitions and the
ing of the necessary signatures In cities there is
also only five days allowed for the arduous labor
Of preparing Independent nominations. 1t is mani
fest, therefore that unless the work Of making IN
dependent nominations is commenced long IN ad-
vance OF party conventions the former cannot pos
siby be made This of course, is Il practical de-
NAL TO the people of the of the right
choose their public officers For the reasons sug-
gested therefore. 1t would seem highly important
that, whatever legislation may be secured in the
reformation OF nominating methods It should GER
talnly BIO provided that the restrictions making
independent nominations difficult and In
cases impossible be removed.
1 am powerfully convinced that great IS the
need for some measure providing for direct nomi-
nations. called. it is even more important
that the form OF the ballot should be changed so
that the present arrangement for party column
may be done away with. The genuine Australian
form used in Massachusetts, Minnesota. California
and other states whereby the candidates
grouped under the title OF the office which they
are nominated. provides IN my judgment the only
way exact justice 20 the claims Of all OF
such candidates. 1t would be most unfortunate If
IN the fight which the Governor is leading for a
reform relates nominations the very mpor-
tant matter OF the ballot was overlooked
EDMUND II. KITCHENER.
Binghamton. y. Y. Feb. q 1909