New-York tribune., 1909-04-15
BLOW TO PRIMARY BILL
SENATE COMMITTEE ACTS.
Tote F0llozcs Hearing Or. SHyker
and ur. Waldo FduOr BIZ.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune

Committee. by an overwhelming vote determined
TO report il adversely in precisely the
manner followed bv the Assembly last week,
Senator Hinnan. a member of the committee. knew
any fight would be hopeless. This action ioHo"eu
hearing this afternoon.
The bill will not have more than ten of the
fftv-one votes in the Senate predicted Senator
John Raines Il am thoroughly satisfied of that
and anybody who makes different prediction Is
going most violent assumption OF ignorance
We have heard from the people though not in the
way the Governor expected. They 90 not want
the Hifman-Green direct nominations Dill.
Governor Hughes undaunted, at about the trne
he will get word of the fate of his measure wiz
be delivering address TO large broohlH' Il
audience gathered under the direction OF the
Young Republican Club and others Interested IN
establishing a direct nominations system. Ills
friends know that he will continue his fight to nave
such legislation enacted all through this year ana
next and they believe he will receive treIneh-
dous support growing as his proposliIoh oecOlieS
known and understood.
Acting as II Governor Hughess bill already were
dead the Senate judiciary Committee to-day gave d
perfunctory hearing on that measure II vas so'lle
what significant. in the judgment OF supporters oI
the measure. that only two persons appeared
against it. both of whom had spoken against IT at
Assembly hearings and this time merely remouthed
their stock objections.
On the other hand DR.. NJ. Woosey Strykcr preSl-
dent of Hamilton College. delivered n rouslhg
speech advocating the Governors measure on the
ground that every citizen has the right to count
one not less in this democracy.
The people want to get hold Of this padrone sys-
TEN and teach all officials they're responsible to the
voters" declared DR.. Stryker, vigorously
Ex- CONGRESSMAN Waldo of Brooklyn, urged en-
actmcnt Of the measure. because 1t offered good
party mans only oportunity surely to obtain can
dfdates whom he could support instead of being
driven to a choice between bad party representa-
tive and a good member of the opposite political
faith
I'm perfectly aware that most Of this conlpah'
is against the Hnman-Green BILL began Df'
Stryker cheerfully. Il don't say the case Is ple
Judged but IL is a matter of common knowledge
that the heft of opinion here is against the bill
But as a friend of that measure I'd Ike hoti'ihS
better than 10 have the two speeches Just maze
against it circulated broadcast over the state
What the speakers in opposition said ana tlelr eN
ceptions significant.
DR. Striker said he leaned pretty far back in his
views on executive pTopriety, but that there was
no odium TO be attached Governor Hughes Tor
his interest in the measure.
1.-The people know our Governor" said he.
We've had the theory quite broadly announced
this afternoon that democracy was hysterla: also
that the best administration the adminiStra-
ton Of the few the college president
Nov. am a believer in democracy. and can't
stomach that Both the Gospel and democracy
rest at last on the common doctrine that every
man shall count one-not two. nor less than one.
lust one I want always to count one and any
man who lets himself count less IS unfit 70 live
under democracy.
FOR BILLS BROAD PRINCIPLE.
"Our opponents seem 20 desire TO avoid discuss
Ing the general principles Of this bill I've read II
through twice and I'm for it. But don't care
for the periods and commas. I'm for It's broad
principle What IS this party organization We
hear SO much about? It's simply the Republican
party. roet and branch, and the stewards ana
messengers and officials responsible to mat
party from a TO Z. That's the principle OF this
Xiii. tla lie 10 get hold this padrODe
system and teach all men. Senators, even Gov
ernors. that they're responsible 10 the voters
Why Mr. Chairman. wouldn't you laugh-y"s
laugh heartily-if delegate committee or con
vention ever thought Of reporting 10 the voters on
what he'd done a. a delegate Ye- that's what the
voters should exp" The stewards and messen-
gers of the party organization haven't any right
Of eminent domain. I think the people ought 10 be
discoura ged at present conditions I've attended
small conventions Thank heaven. I never attended
a state convention. All there IS done in the back
room. run by a little coterie
If you've neve~ been there how do you know
that" interrupted Senator Davis
From very credible reports Of those who have
seen the machinery work retorted Dr. Stryker.
Il want my chance TO say yes a propos-
tion without interference When the people know
they are going 10 get a chance there will be
siderable noise all over this state and in closing
let M quote Senator Root: AS 1t Is
largely shut up by those who without distinction
of party barter Offices for support and support for
Offices
4 don't mean that to apply 10 any of YOU gem
temen. l don't know how this Legislature is
hut II there be any legislator in Albany who takes
his orders from padrone he is false the funda-
mental principles of Democracy
MCARREN ASKS A QUESTION
Senator McCarren wanted to know If the pri-
maries in Oneida County were improperly IL
legally conducted
NO" said DR. Stryker. but there has been In
for so long that we hardly realize it could be any
other way"
F. y Godfrey Master OF the State Grange. ap-
peared record the attitude OF that organization
in favor Of direct nominations legislation Ex-
Congressman Waldo said he supported direct pri-
raaries as the only thing which would keep the
country alive and strong. lie. told Of his expert
within the party organization as district
leader. committeeman and Congressman. When
he was in office it his plan. he said always
to consult with as many of his constituents he
could reach on important questions and to follow
their advice.
Were you unusual in that respect" queried
Senator Wagner.
Yes l was" rctorted Mr. Waldo. Almost
without exception representatives Of my county
consulted the county state leader and followed
his advice, instead Of that Of their people. We
have had to send Democrats to this Legislature
from a great Republican district in Brooklyn be
cause that was the only way VIC could have men
honestly represent the sentiment in the district.
A couple of years Senatorial candidate
nominated under party pressure The result
was that for years great banner Repub
lican district was represented by a Democrat. and
well represented We don't want to break up the
organization the party We want chance
vote directly for candidates, and then
go the primaries and decide what is the ma jority
sentiment in each district and who shall repre-
sent it"
John {. Ten Eyck. a Westchester LAWYER talked
more than hour against the bill Dr. Can