New-York tribune., 1909-03-17
UNITE ON HUGHES BILL
GOTERNOR IN MIDNIGHT
CONFERENCE.
Brooklyn, Manhattan and Upstate
Legislators Agree-Measure Nay
Be Introduced To-day.
rRv Te!eg-aph 20 The Tribune. !


Albany. March Diminishing touches are
being put on Governor Hughess direct primary
nominations bill at q midnight conference at
the Executive Mansion tonight. Present are
Governor Hughes. Robert H. Fuller his secre-
tary who is something Of an expert on primary
and election laws; c. G Alden. the Governors
counsel and Senator Harvey Hinman who Will
undoubtedly introduce the bill in the upper
house. Every effort will he made TO have the
measure ready for introduction tomorrow. but
the work Of rearranging the verbiage of the
bill IS so great that it may not he completed.
AS il stands tonight the bill represents a
practical agreement on every point Of impor-
tance between the upstate legislators and the
Brooklyn and Manhattan men who have taken
part in various meetings OF the steering COM
rnitTee' which prepared the earlier drafts OF the
bill The much discussed proposition Of COM
rittee representation. which the rural and
city legislators split many times. has been ar
ranged. and the proposal Of the Brooklyn men
that the nominating committees be permitted to
name their successors, the candidates thus
chosen 70 have preferred places the primary
ballot, has been disposed Of
Scrupulous care is being preserved TO prevent
any details Of the measure from becoming
known tonight. lest garbIed or biassed reports
OF its provisions be spread broadcast When the
bill is introduced some sort of an official state
Meantime the statement is made with consd-
cradle enthusiasm by those friends OF Governor
Hughes who understand the plan as II stands
now that II IS a splendid piece Of constructive
legislation. IN which its enemies will find very
few flaws It would seem that they have some
basis for this feeling Of qualification. for one or
two legislators not especially friendly 10 the
scheme suggested by Governor Hughes in his
Brooklyn speech have gone over this plan to-day
and declare they are we'll satisfied with II. They
are hardhead ded upstaters. who know the practi-
cal political game from the ground UP.
There still exists some friction over the ider-
-ftv OF the man who shall handle the bill in T.Ie
upper house It seems certain that Senator
Hinman. a clever lawyer. a strong debater, an
ardent Hughes man and an enthusiastic convert
to the Governors plan will introduce the meas
ure His handling II Will carry especial weight
from the fact that he is the political boss of
R-oorne County, vice George ". Dunn. and
never has had any scruples about playing very
practical politics If the work was clean and
honest
Senator Eugene Travis. Of Brooklyn. has IN
troduced the direct nominations bills in the
Senate for two years. and naturally expected TO
have charge Of this legislation again this year.
Personally he feels somewhat hurt at having
The honor go 10 some one else. but he is not
likely TO make as much Of this OF his
friends who profess 10 in this q slap at
Brooklyn. just as they have perceived insult
and injury in the fashion in which some features
OF the original Brooklyn draft OF the bill were
changed There was story current tonight
that an agreement had been made TO do moth
ing about deciding the introducer Of the
measure until after another conference, at which
should be present all who attended any Of the
prior conferences and that if Senator Hinman
had been chosen Il was in distinct violation Of
that agreement
Hughes supporters who have attended various
conferences said they never heard Of such an
agreement. and that there must be some mis-
understanding about II. Men close to the Gov
ernor say that the measure is in such shape
that no GAUGE for grievance will exist for any
body who is reasonable and earnest in his sup
port Of the principle Of direct nomination.
A story was afioat that ex-Judge Brenner, F.
J. Z Kracke and other members Of the com
rnittee Of the Kings County Republican organi-
cation which refused 10 accept the direct pri-
rnaries hill drafted by the Young Republican
Club would be here tomorrow with so-callec
direct nominations bill which would provide for
preferred places on the primary ballots for or
gsnization candidates. State Chairman Wood
ruff was scheduled TO be here to-day. but did
not appear It is expected that as soon the
Governors bill is introduced and properly di-
gested by the anti-Hughes men their primary
reform schemes, including legislation for an Off
cial primary ballot and q general enrolment
all be presented 20 offset the Hughes measure.
Meantime. those hostile TO the Governor are en-
deavoring 10 stir up strife and disagreement
among the seekers after thorough primary re-
form Especial effort is being made again TO
spread the idea that President Taft and Sena-
Tor Root are opposed TO the Governors plan.
William Barnes. jr.. tonight gave this bit Of
advice and encouragement 10 the anti-Hughes
legislators:
Obey the dictates Of the Saratoga platform
gentlemen Of the Legislature. and return to your
constituents with the full confidence that you
have the support Of the Republican party under
The inspiration Of z kind, ard-headed, hard
listed President.
Vote down the unfair and undesirable Massa-
chusetts ballot and enact laws for the protec-
tion Of the primary so that every citizen Of each
political party viii feel that he has had com
plete opportunity 10 express his views in the
election OF delegates 10 conventions.
Hedge about the primary every restriction
that can be devised TO prevent fraud, unfail
representation IN conventions and snap pri-
Tnaries by providing for a day when all prima-
Ties shall be held and for the registration Of can
didates for delegates, that before they are
elected their purposes may be clearly under
stood DO this. gentlemen; pass your appro-
p-iaton bills, and then adjourn.