New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-22
FOR DIRECT PRIMARIES
Cftizens Union Statement GfUes
Vie5cs of Governors. Z.
EBy Telegraph to The Tribune.

by Telegraph TO The Trbuns1
Albany, Jan. 21.-J. O. Hamn1itt, legislative agent
of the Citizens Union has been making compila-
ton of the messages Of Governors Of direct primary
states to the legislatures of those states wherever
their utterances bore the subject Of direct pr-
mary nominations. The result is Of considerable
interest in Its application to the situation here be-
cause in every hearty commentator OF the
system was expressed. coupled In many instances
with recommendations that the laws be strength
ened and defects removed, the changes suggested
being along the lines laid down by Governor Hughes
in his message to tbs Legislature. Mr.. Hamnitt
to-day issued formal statement follows:
The retiring Governor Of South Dakota. Coe I.
SSraWIorc who this week was elected to the United
Our primary election law in Its general and
essential features is similar to that enacted in
Kansas, Nebraska Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin. Wash
governing political party mana cement and nomna.
IONS: y mas come to stay. No instance has been
Governor Hughes ' Of ss New gsDs YORK has recon-
the subject Of vigorous agitation and discussion in
New H "a The platform Of the Republican
law had been tried declsTes G''u Al jury ''' 'H0
." We approve the principle of the primary law
ana suggest such amendments only may be
necessary to make 1t more simple and efec-
Some of the successful candidates be-
!obsed TO one faction; some to another and whether
or not it shows that the Individual voter expressed
MS Sind tndiyidual Judgment with discrimination
t viii impair or lessen the opportunity given to
Of be
party principle but also as to the fitness of the
party ticket will seriously injure the purpose of
. Governor P: S. Wesley. who succeeds Governor
Crawford IN South Dakota, says in his inaugural
The primary election law. Which had its first
test in the past year, has proved and has
GovernSr Fred n W SP1s of Michigan. in his
exts5sion Of the Mlehigsn n iawy recommends an
scope Of the law should be enlarged and
congressional county and legislative that are made
b 6y direct vote-on the same day, all local acts
Tespect This viii tend to secure an expression
the nube Of oices involved in the prI8aTy the
st Tbe ,s %i DE the interest Of the voters therein
SAND .aepqolcans and forty thousand Democrats
All candidates for the Legislature should be
norihsted BY primary vote. member of the
any particular district or locality but rather for
me entge state and he should not therefore be
S 6 Of al parties are interested in and
ARE RECOMMENDATION for extending the law in Min
h hfs ia Is made by Governor John Johnson in
Whatever criticism may have been made Just or
Of the pn rph e OF the s CT the G
rs mar and feel this so strongly that earnestly
nessssaFy notifications in the law applied to
hsr than fba an and desire to 20 even fur
ter results would be obtained by extending the
The elective officers of the state II the law is
proper one as applied TO the election OF Congress
certainly would be a proper one as applied TO the
elective officers of the state. That there will be
d1nerences Of opinion in this matter, there have
ever eve oeen, am aware. but IN the states where
veEsa most oonps,e @ obfans UNI
The experience under the Iowa law appears
have been so illuminating 10 have created a
demand for some changes but the retention of the
ernor Warren Garst. in his last message to the
'e IN 80 assembly, sen p on January ~ says:
indelibly upon the statute books, for, in my judg-
it is the only system OF making party nori-
should not hesitate TO amend the law as its weak
Governor Beryl F. Carroll. who succeeds Gov
Il, states in some details the necessary amend
on this subject with the following
Before passing any criticism upon the statute T
the principle OF the primary. and the opinion
that radical departure from the general plan of
places should be strengthened and the law should
be given fair test
inaugural address 10 the General Assembly jan
uary II urges al extension Of the direct primary.
He says:
I'm my judgment the election law should be so
amended as to definitely provide for speedy returns
and the safeguarding OF the 10 the satisfac-
ton OF all parties Interested in election for the
contest of Offices In such way guarantee a
solution Of the contest and for the adoption Of n
primary law not only for the nomination OF candi-
and other conventions the end that the peopl.
may not turn their government to the hands
such primary election the people permitted 10
vote upon their choice for United States Senator
sage recommends not only the extension Of direct
primaries. but the adoption Of the Massachusetts
ballot. or direct nominations he says
THE primaries held in this state the last wear
under the direct primary act met with general pop
potent voice in selecting candidates