New-York tribune., 1909-07-14
EFFECTS OF PRIMARY
HOW DIRECT Law WORKS.
Ne1c YOrk's Committee in Boston
Hears from Both Sides.

Legislature, which IS investigating the direct
nomination and joint caucus system in Massa-
chusetts. to-day heard views both IN favor and in
opposition TO the plan adopted in Massachusetts
and popularity known : the Luce law" Ex-
Representative Robert Luce the sponsor OF the
Massachusetts system, in q long letter which was
read 70 the visiting legislators. explained IN detail
the working and extent Of the law as applied 20
the cities and towns which, under the referendum
provision. have adopted All OF the thrty-three
cities and number OF towns have accepted the
law.
In his letter TO the committee. Mr.. Luce sum-
married.
We now nominate by direct vote thirteen out Of
forty state Senators, about onehaf Of the 30 Rep
St ~ f6-tee osfo zt1fs9 ali r3gnciBaI
excepted for local reasons) IN thirtythree cities
Mr.. Luce said that the system unquestionably
had increased participation in caucuses. while its
greatest benefit In his view. was that It had
broken down the rotation in Office theory. and
permitted the retention Of useful servant as long
rs he was willing TO serve. He recognized the OBJ
lection OF expense, ne said. but declared:
Direct nomination actually lessons the expense
wherever the candidates would IN any case have
appealed TO the voters. 1t increases the expense
09 be- IL no ene 6ro2 cvassE Of hs mass Of the
voters. For this reason I have come TO the per
sonsI conclusion that the best system is one where
under nomination may be made by convention y
there IS no manifest occasion Tor a genera can
vass, something as in the case IN an EngIsh Par
Iamentary election, where a poll ts taken only
af+ u n
saIvas Of course precisely that system could not
apply here but IT IS quite possible to provide taat
preciable number OF voters petition for IL
Senator McCarren asked William ?. Murray;
could bill ,or the direct nomination OF the Bos-
ton school committee pass your legislature
BRINGS OUT YOUNG MEN
Nr Murray replied that 1t could not. on account
of powerful influences" Mr.. Murray said he BE-
Iaved good men are elected under the direct nori
nation system but he did not believe that can
didate should be drafted for position; ratner. h7
should be compelled TO set out and hustle tor II
Il believe q professional politician would make
better servant than business man gwen 7t-a
ability and honesty declared Nj Murray
Senator McCarrer asked his opinion as 70 'hA net
-ssr11+ ~ direct nor1ina tons in Boston. and MI
Murray answered that the system has brought w
the front many young men Of good type-
Nathan Matthews. chairman Of the late Finance
Commission. reviewed the reports OF rhe commit
tee and said the seven members Or tnat oooS
uare unanimously OF the opinion that II Wonio -
unviss 10 continue the old system Of direct non1i
nations in Boston
No opportunity is given for campaign ~ prli'-
cIpIe because thera Is convention n determine
the party principles: 50 II becomes campaign ot
persona Ifties The result. said Mr. Matthews mas
been : deterioration in the class Of officials ana
the people do not have the opportunities they 1oE
u1erly had OF securing the best representatives
Direct nominations. ne declared. have hurt 6oth
parties in this state but especially the Democratic
PARTY because II has been disrupted. and the Rs-
publican party VfI suffer the same fate II re syS-
TEN is extended. "Onc party has gone 70 pieces
the other is going" he said.
Former Congressman John A. Sullivan. chairman
Of the new Finance Commission. said that he had
found thsy the class Of public officials has deter
forated and that direct nominations have abolished
the responsible leadership Of the old convention
system
ITS HEAvY COST.
The cost Of running for Office under the new sys-
tenn is also 70 be considered he said. His own ex-
perience in campaigning. he said. led him 70 the
belief that the cost OF nominating certain can
didatA for Mayor Boston not less than
$4,000
State Representative David 3 Shaw. Of Charles
-ov former Election Cornnlissioner believed that
direct nominations bring out the best candidates
He differed with the opinion expressed BY Repre-
sentative CarceIou their effect Is 10 strengthen
The majority partv and weaken the minority, cit
ing as proof Of this the fact that former Congress
man Sullivan and Congressman Peters. both Demo
ora-s had always carried the Republican uth Dis
+-4c+ while Congressman OConneH came within
four votes Of losing the very strong Democratic
1orb District last fall
E.,~asantativa CarceIon said that the evils OF
,ba convention system exist IN Massachusetts,. as
tbey do in New York but that the direct noutna-
rion system also has its evils
As understand IL. the direct nominations sys-
.. =; --edIcared upon Two assumptions said
so,s+or McCa-ren. OF the visiting committee
,ertasa are that a larger number Of voters par
,,cf,ets IN the primary and that you get better
class of candidates
The direct nomination system does induce more
,.o.ars 70 participate said Mr.. Garceon. but
don't believe improves the character Of the can
didates.'
NJ c-arcelon said that from what members OF
,ne Massachusetts, House Of Representative had
+o15 him the plan worked well in some cases and
badly in others