New-York tribune., 1909-02-19
| AWAIT WOODRUFF TALK
HUGHES Plans SPEECH.
Report of Governor Fauor'ng Nom
mating Committees Discredited.
rBy Telegraph to Tn. Tribune.


Albany Fah 1s-Tbe speech Of state Chairman
Woodruff. who is to follow Governor HusneS On
the speakers list at the dinner OF tne hrooAiSn =, y
Young Republican Club on Saturday nisn'' 10
awaited with much interest.
Chairman Woodruff told few days ego
that he intended at that time to present as ca!ly
and judcially he could all the arguneh'5 "hlCH
have been called to his attention about the Iauils
and disadvantages Of the direct primary schaule'
said one Of his friends who is opposed TO the
Governors recommendation for changing the prl
mary system. Whether the chairman argues OF
attacks. his speech. coming Just after the GOV
ernor's definition OF his position on primary REFORM
IS bound TO be of much interest because OF tne
position of Mr.. Woodruff and the Kings County
organization in favor OF various kinds OF orec'
primaries at various times.
Governor Hughes spent to-day at .he Executive
Mansion, preparing his speech for Saturday night
Various members of the steering COMMITTEES were
at work the direct primary bill supposed 10 nee
his desires From some persons who have ahended
meetings OF this sef-constituted committee at
times it learned that the Governor was Wiling
to have the bill enbody some form OF nominating
committee provision. under which COMMITTEES In
each political unit would perform party functions
approximating those now allotted to the district
COMMITTEES. in addition to making the regular
nominations to be ratified at the primaries.
This development is being received on all sides
with considerable astonishment- Some supporters
of the direct primary system consider it depart
from the idea OF having nominations made d.
recty by the voters, without any intermediate or
preliminary step. Hard and fast organization men,
on the other hand almost unwilling TO believe
that the Governor would take such stand unit!
they have II from his lips. They say that. as
reported up 10 date this method would put nouli-
nations forever and certainly into the control OF
the county bosses. and should meet with their
cordial support and assistance. They do not be-
leve, though, that the Governor would sanction
such a method, and waiting eagerly FOR his
Brooklyn speech 10 learn about It.
If the system. reported. Is to have regu-
lar, organization, nominationg committee in
each political unit. to name candidates for the
primaries and perform regular party functions as
well, I should consider 1t vicious and an admission
that the voters be trusted to do their work
themselves,'' said of the opponents OF direct
primaries. THAT would be primary reform; 1t
would create the closest kind OF a close corpora
ton. and without any OF the merits OF a properly
constituted convention system, would have many
faults of it's Take the inevtable result In the
case Of Governor. II that be the system. the
organization candidate would be nominated by
committee corresponding roughly to the present
state committee Any opposing candidate would
have 70 be nominated by petition, supposs-s re-
mendous job at tremendous expense. The eK"
pense OF nominating the regular organization can
ddats would be borne by the party organization;
that Of naming the independent candidates BY
themselves their friends Why, the regular man
would have every advantage; the independents
would have thrown into their way by this law al
most insuperabIe difficulties. should want to have
the Governors own words for any such PROPOSE
tion before I could credit II.
There a good bit Of interest TO the Govern
or'x position the question Of giving preferred
position on the offcial ballot 90 the regular, or
party named candidates. ConfeTTees who are sup
porting his ideas authority for the statement
that he will agree 70 having those candidates at
the head of their particular groups, but will not
consent TO any designation. such as regular or
Organization" The bill agreed up to date
puts these candidates the top OF the list OF can
dIdates for each Office independents" to so on the
list IN the order Of fling OF nominations. That
BILL far the sections relating TO the cities are
concerned. Is about ready. Those provisions cover
ing the rural territory IN the state are not even
roughly blocked yet and will not be. apparently
for a week two