New-York tribune., 1909-01-18
HOPE TO SPLIT SUPPORT
ANTI-HUGHES MEN,S PLAN
Nay Introduce Direct Primary Bills
for That Purpose.
tBy Telegraph TO The TrIhune. !


Albany. Jan r.-Appearances now indicate that
not the least important feature of the fight which
Governor Hughes's supporters beginning for
direct primary nominations will be to get the right
khd or Dill and the right kind of to han
3 ole that measure. Just at present 1t looks as II
part OF The campaign against the direct primary
system would consist of the introduction of bills
os'enstoy providing for that scheme. but really de-
signed TO split the support for a carefully drawn
and practicable measure and. If by any possibiI-
ity passed to rivet the hold of the party leaders
on the voters still firmly.
Hints at this have been given, none too carefully
yelled. by the confessed opponents of the Gov
ernors scheme. It seems. too as If this danger
might arise from some of those who are bound to
the direct nominations plan already since Il has
come to light here that the committee of Kings
County men considering the subject apparently
wants primary ballot which would stultify the
purpose OF the direct primary by almost compelling
straight voting for a group Of party candidates
This committee consists of Naval Officer Kracke
Louis NJ Swazey, Congressman Calder, Jacob
brenner Alfred +. Vass and Quarantine Commits
sioner Schroeder No decision has been reached by
that body yet, and before a bill is prepared this
committee Will have to report to the executive
committee, OF which 1t is subcommittee.
Whatever bill is sanctioned by the executive
mittee OF the Kings County Republican Committee
probably Will be handled by Senator Travis. There
Is good deal OF feeling the part of OF the
other organizations advocating direct nominations
that perhaps some other legislator would be better
qualified TO handle the bill which the ma jorty
OF them agree when that bill has been drafted. 1t
has been pointed out that Senator Travis is not
lawyer. and for that reason unable TO present to
best advantage the merits of the measure as was
shown last year. There is the part Of some of
these organizations desire to upstate man
have the measure in the Senate, there has been
considerable speculation whether Senator Hnman
OF Broome. Senator Davenport, of Oneida would
not be asked to take the bill in charge Both are
strong Hughes men; both clever speakers Senator
HinEnan ahl nd law
Senator Davenport is professor OF political economy
and the science OF government at Hamilton Col
lege, and is well fitted for a discussion OF the
sort involved in this question.
There to be the utmost confidence the
part Of the supporters of the Governors recon-
mendation that when the Legislature takes up the
direct nomination question for serious study will
lose the idea that This is revolutionary hare
Drained scheme, advocated only by 'reformers" of
visionary minds. That, of course. is the attitude
taken by the political leaders who fear their power
would vanish If New York State took up the sys-
II Is pointed out by advocates of the plan
that, far from being untried impractic-
able. this plan is used by half the population OF The
United States in naming candidates for all elective
Offices, that more than twothirds Of the states In
the Union have the system in some form Or other,
and that whers tried by a state II never has
been abandoned, but frequently Its use Is extehoeo
TO all Offices in the state.
The Legislature will have TO elect a United states
Senator this week. 1t is a foresone conclusion
that !ts choice will be Elihu Root. Some interest
is being manifested IN the identity OF the Demo
cratic candidate for that Office, as some persons
here hold the opinion that the Democrats choice
may throw some light another question Vexing
the Iegislature-the perennial What is Demo-
crat?'' This particularly troubles the Senate
Finance Committee, which must make some report
presently on the confirmation of Herbert T. COOK
as the Democratic member OF the State Highway
Commission The committee Will meet on Tues
day when Senator Grady will set forth his views
on Mr.. Cooks Democracy. and perhaps Governor
Hughes will forward for consideration his reasons
for believing that Mr.. Cook is a member OF the
party Of jefferson and Jackson
One OF the important things which the Legs
lature will take up first this session is constdera-
ton Of the Revised Statutes presented by me
Statutory Revision Commission These, Governor
Hughes urged, should be passed first as basis for
future legislation this year; but many of the
legislative leaders believe that in the consolidation
of various laws serious mistakes have been made
and before any action is taken this work will he
verified in detail, This will tedious process