New-York tribune., 1909-02-11
CONFER ON PRIMARIES
KINGS MEN SEE GOVERNOR
No Bill Erpected from Brooklyn for.
Week or I'uo.
LBx rslegraph o rhe rrsbune. J


Albany, Feb. 10-Further conferences were held
to-day between representatives of the Brooklyn
Young Republican Club and upstate legislators
with view to the completion of direct primary
bin which should apply to the varying conditions
city and rural communities. While a rough
draft Of bill formed the basis for discussion. it
will have to be altered In many particulars before
it is introduced. end it probable that no d.
rect primary bill will come from that quarter Tor
a week or two yet.
Darwin p James. Mortimer w. Byers, chair
man of the Young Republican Clubs committee,
which has been at work with committee from
the Kings County Republican organization, and
William H Wadhams the delegation They
called on Governor Hughes and had long talk
with him the subject Iatsr they took the bill,
drawn tentatively according to the agreement
reached between the Young Republican Club men
and the Kings organization men. and discussed 1t
with Senator Travis and Assenblyman Green, who
handled the direct primary bills last year; Assem-
blyman Bennett, of New York, strong direct pri-
mary advocate and Senator Davenport. Assembly
Hamn and other upstate legislators
Two chief points at issue now. One is ths
question OF preferential position the official pr
mary ballot for regular party nominees TO the
detriment independent nominees. The other is
the working out of some basis of representation or
some other device designed to meet the argument
that the large cities would control primaries al
most to the exclusion of the rural districts In ad
dition there many minor points in the VoluInl-
nous bill which the city men and upstate men
interested In this subject must become reconciled
Darwin r. James and others OF the conferrees
would not give details Of the tentative bill under
discussion. Mr.. James said II the result of the
agreement among the Kings County conferrees, but
would have to be altered materially. Beyond that
nothing settled, not even when it would be
presented who would introduce It They hope
to have the bill before the Legislature before Feb
ruaTy 20, to give Governor Hughes specific topic
for discussion when he speaks before the Young
Republican Club that date.
Considerable speculation has been aroused here
whether the bill reported to provide
for preferential position for party nominees will
people. II is known that this was the bone Of con-
tention In the Brooklyn conferences. This club. an
independent organization. is supposed to desire to
meet exactly the ideas Of Governor Hughes on the
direct primary proposition. and the value of Its bill
In the Legislature will depend almost entirely on
whether not It Is believed that this has been
accomplished This notion has been strengthened
representatives of that organization, but the ut
most surprise has been awakened by the reported
attitude Of the club in supporting bill containing
provisions for q principle because OF which the
Governor vetoed the Prentice official ballot bill
The proposition to have nominating committees for
the '-regulRrs, with year to do their work, while
the independents would have only ten days in
which TO get their nominees on the ballot. Is an
other feature the bill reported which Will be
fought bitterly here, and It is believed would not
meet the approval OF Governor Hughes.