New-York tribune., 1909-11-04
WADHAMS WARNS
DIRECT PRIMARIES
Law OR DEFEAT"
Says Both Parties Demand Its
Passage-Bennet for Op-
tioraol System.

Commenting on the election OF large
number OF Assembiyrnen pledged to support
Governor Hughes in his direct primary re-
form. William H Wadhams, president OF
the Direct Primaries Association OF the
State OF New York said yesterday that the
defeat Of Republican candidates in strong
Republican counties was vigorous rebuke
from the voters to machine politicians who
had opposed the Governors reform pro-
sramu1e- He predicted that a continuation
of the opposition toward Governor Hughes
which had marked the political policy of
Senator Raines, Speaker Wadsworth. State
Chairman Woodruff. William Barnes tr.,
Francis Hendricks and other party leaders
would result in the defeat OF the entire
Republican state ticket next year as a
further rebuke from Republican voters who
wanted to have the Governors programme
carried through
The results show that voters OF both
parties in all parts Of the state are de-
unandiag the passage Of a direct primary
law" said Judge Wadhams. and that they
VII not hesitate at any step to punish men
Who in their judgment interfere TO prevent
the enactment Of such a Law. Republican
politicians in and out of the Legislature
who opposed the Governors direct primary
reconme ndation ought to be under no de-
Of this state. whatever their previous opin-
ion may have been. Senator John Raines
and Speaker Wadsworth. the head and
front Of legislative opposition TO the direct
primary measure last winter. were rebuked
by the voters OF their counties Repub-
hcaus Il Senator Raines's county helped
10 defeat his candidate for the Assembly
because the Ralnes man refused To pledge
himself 10 support q direct primary law.
Speaker Wadsworth was reelected by a
plurality Of less than three hundred votes
reduction Of about fifteen hundred from
his vote last year. because Republicans in
Livingston County chose 10 support his op-
ponent, who was pledged 10 vote for
direct primary bill
a Wadsworth lieutenant in Orleans
county. another in Niagara County and q
thtrd IN Genesee County will be replaced
oy Democrats pledged TO direct primaries
AL three elected by Republican voters as
protest against Republican machine op-
position TO Governor Hughess primary re-
form Just as notable was the defeat Of
Assemblyman Frederick W Hammond,
from Onondaga County. the political ter
Tftory OF Francis Hendricks. 4 normal
Republican majority In Hammonds district
OF 5000 was as nothing compared with the
direct primary sentiment there Such
Clinton defeated anti-Hughes Republicans
and replaced them with men pledged to
support the Governor on his direct pri-
mary reform
ELECTION a REBUKE."
There is only one conclusion to draw
from the election II is a notable rebuke to
those Republicans who. In their obstinate
adherence 20 machine methods have been
fighting Governor Hughes at every turn
for the last three years. The people not
only this time, but on many previous oc-
c2slons, have chosen between that kind
of Republicanism and the Governors kind.
II is very evident that q continuation II
next winters Legislature of this Repub-
lican machine opposition TO the Governors
reforms will result in the election next
campaign Of e Democratic Governor and a
complete Democratic state ticket by out
ragged Republican voters as the last word
IN their protest against the disJoyaity Of
so-called Republican leaders TO Governor
Hughes. the highest type OF Republican in
this state Republican voters are with
the Governor. The continued success OF
the Republican party depends upon
recognition Of the demands Of these voters
and cooperation with the Governor in the
reforms advocated by him in the interests
Of the people"
There will De approximately fifty men in
the new Assembly pledged in SOME form
70 support direct primary measure. This
number, OF course does not represent any
thing ike the direct primary strength on
4 vote. because there will be about sixty
new members, most Of whom have not
taken any position yet on this question.
but many OF whom unqUestionably will
vote for a direct primary measure.
The latest returns show that Assembly
man Fred Parker, Of Genesee County. who
IS a loyal Wadsworth man. took a strong
stand against the direct primary. was de-
feated b. s. votes by Z. NJ. Crocker.
direct primaries Democrat and that James
2 Stevenson. q Republican, elected on
Democratic and fusion ticket, had defeated
Dr. Henry Gates, the regular Republican
IN Delaware County. In the 22d New York
district, E Doherty. fusion. was elected
Completed returns from all the districts
n the IsL Assembly District of Steuben
County shows the reelection of Assembly
man John L. Miller (Rep). by less than 100
plurality Until this morning the Demo
Gratis claimed the election Of Clarence
Wills The district is normally Republican
by 800 majority
BENNET FOR wHITTIN PLAN.
Representative William s. Bennett, who
vas leader Of the 18th Assembly District in
New York County until he retired in favor
of Senator Brough in order TO manage
the campaign OF otto T Barnard. said yes
terday he appreciated the hold that direct
primaries seemed 70 have taken on the
people OF the state
In the past he has not been overenthu-
siastic about direct primaries OF any brand,
bur yesterday said il was his Intention TO
nave introduced in the Legislature next
winter bill for optional direct primaries
The enrolled voters of a party said
Mr Bennett have an absolute right 70 q
direct expression OF opinion whenever 2
candidate is unsatisfactory. even TO MI
nority. Not only have they right, but il