New-York tribune., 1909-07-30
PRIMARIES COMMITTEE.
Hears Keystone Lac Ass0'ied-
Business DetdinS McC CGrTen.
rRv Telegraph 10 The tribune.

Pittsburg July 29-The New York legislative
committee investigating the workings'of the Penn
syIvania primary law reached PittsburE late last
night and got down business in council nam
bers to-day minus Senator p. H. McCarren
Judge Knapp Of the committee. said that McCar-
rem who had intended to join the committee here
had been detained unavoidably by business
Most of the session taken up in examin-
ing w J Brennan Democratic city chairman. who
is J. NJ Guney's and who has been chair
man of the city or the county for the last twenty
seven years. Brennan declared the primary cleo
ton law an absolute failure in this state. Judge
Walter X. Knapp, OF Ontario County, Is counsel
for the committee. Il was in TO mis- ques-
tions that Mr.. Brennan made MS statements
1t is A piece of freak legislation" said Mr.
Brennan. 1T born in a moment Of reform
frenzy and il does not bear any recognizable
marks Of regularity. It is misshapen and has not
for a single instant done any Of the things that
have been claimed for it
Mr. Brennan said he believed the primaries act
destructive of party responsibility. which he be
lieved best for the politics of any community
Men are frequently nominated under this law
he said who have platform and owe respon-
sibty 10 person
In reply to question by Judge Knapp to
whether abuses in nominations were corrected by
the primary law, Mr.. Brennan replied:
My observation and conviction are that they
DO you think election ofcers should De ap-
ponted?" was asked.
4 rather think that would be remedy replied
Mr Brennan.
Does the primary tend to increase the
strength Of the dominant party?
There is a particle OF doubt Of the truth
Of that What incentive is there for good man
to run for a minority party nomination when he
knows that the majority party candidate Will be
elected? Every honorable who goes into a
primary feels bound TO support the nominee OF
that primary In the face % that how are YOU
going to hold out an inducernent to man that
IL he takes a minority nomination he viii get
sufficient votes from the majority party to elect
him?'
Mr. Brennan then went on to tell how Democrats
cf PittsbrP have fallen into the practice Of voting
in the Republican primaries This interested the
committeeman. Nj. Brennan asked if he
thought enrolment as provided in New York,
would be a gooC thing In Pennsylvania
II do not know that il would greatly improve
conditions. he replied but think it ought TO be
done as a matter decency. man ought to be
given a certificate showing the declaration he made
when he registered and lie should present this Ger
tifcate when asking for a ballot at the primary
Some method of course. ought TO be adopted TO
allow a man to obtain certificate, If before
a primary he decided to change his party aftilia-
tions.
The expense account idea in Pennsylvania
which permits itemizing. For disseminating in
formation is something fearful" continued Nj
Brennan 1t anything from robbng a
postoffce TO sandbagging man"
;'You have been chairman IF your party long
enough TO know" said Judge Knapp. and even
Brennan smiled
Mayor Magee. County Chairman Cunningham
and W S McClatchie chief clerk Of the county
commissioners office also gave testimony