New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-25
VOTERS SEEK WEAPON
Nescoomb Says People Trust Coz
ernor IN Primaries Fight.

Niagara Fails. X. Y. Aug 24.-Tart criticism
Of party leadership and the conduct OF the legis-
lstive branch Of the government under existing po
ntical conditions expressed tonight by Sen
Josiah 7. NewcOmb. Of New York city. at a
meeting OF the Direct Nominations League Of
Niagara County. After telling Of the demand Tor
direct nominations and the preparation by Gov
ernOr Hughes and hts friends OF the Iiinman-
Green bin. he said Hn part:
is easily explained. The citizens OF this state
Under this leadership they see the Legislature
enacting unwise and conflicting laws splTopflatlhs
demands defeating them by indirection and
eSlrltsnoe: spe ols,rGeg te 'ts er "
except the service Of special interests They see
he leaders OF the majority and the minority in
branch OF the legislature banded together to
oppose the extension of the powers OF the Public
amendments and election laws. and banded to
fstner also 10 hurry TO enactment snch DIE ne me
representatives o. the sections affected and against
every principle % responsible government and ad-
The voters are not searching for an ornament for
the statute books. they looking FOR weapon
with which TO defend themselves from such lead
ae sn ey nG 5neSf 10y %hp tes n
mary system or lack Of system. In a word. men
party who have received authority from the
Naturally. when attention is called TO the evil
by hsgrant abuses such as were exhibited by the
aroused aTsinst Fucb conditions Seeking a
remedy the voters look 10 Governor Hughes be
20 them 10 be doing his duty. He does not seem
10 have any schemes either for his own personal
henent or for the personal benefit his friends
IneE hear II charged thar ne Is cold toward the
politicians, but they not disturbed by that.
under the circumstance fhey rather like IL. They
mark his intellectual NiEnr, his clearance OF vision
and his diSlntere sickness. What they inspires
them 10 believe that II Governor Hughes SAYS the
direct primary will work Improvement the thing
Is worth trying
There is a great deal II opposition some Of it
most sincere. but II Is not especially impressive in
view OF the evils 10 be remedied. II is said that
the direct primary would upset representative GOV
eminent, but the people viii go choosing repre-
sentatives under the system only they hope 20
choose better II is said that The direct prl-
mary Is only the fOrerunner rf The referendum ana
the recall. but untXcitable persons presume that
they need not cross these bridges until they come
o them. II is said that tia direct primary VIII
merely substitute bosses for old ones but the
irreVerent suggest that even 30 the odds viii be
strongly favor Of Improvement II Il SAID tlat
the agitation for direct primary Is disruptlng the
Republican party but those who love the party do
not at heart believe that the party can be as
rupted by a demand FOR open dealing ana majority
rule is said that political parties are voluntary
associations which should he subjected 10 statu-
tory control but public control Is proposed ui'-
less the party association desires pace on inc
official ballot. which is necessarily regulated hE
Tl1Is The issue is ioined. ana throughout the
state the forces falling into line 90 nol pre-
tend 10 know where the Republicans OF Nlasara
County viii stand. hut ! do know where me itt-
puhicans Of New York County Wnl Slsh". =, III 80
successive Republican state conventions ne utIt
pstes from New York County under the le.ant,isIHt
~ Herbert Parsons have been united allu Hll'aI4i
in sllpport Of Governor Hughes. Trough ol1eSeu
ca,,se 20 regret their course. On the issue now AZ
hand rbeir attitude will he unchanged I ha'i 1u'
same leadership and with the same nrinhtSs 'H'H
will support the policy Of Governor Hughes