New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-02
PRIMARIES FIGHT ON
lSSEMBLYMAN BENNETT
PUTS IN RESOLUTION.
To Start Governors Cam paign, He
Asks Information, from Local
Board of Elections.
by Telegraph TO III. Trfbu,. J


Albany. Feb 1--Declaring that Speaker
wsdsworth and AssemblymaR Merritt seemed
n te lining up the legislators opposed to direct
r,-frns~ies Assenblyman William NJ Bennett Of
Kew York took the initiative tonight in getting
-f4 Governors campaign under way in the As
seubly by introducing a resolution calling for
information regarding primary conditions from
ne Board OF elections Of New York City
SPEAKER wadsworth and Majority Leader
Merritt said NJ Bennett. seem TO be lining
I'd the members who are opposed TO direct nom
tnatIons. and the purpose OF my resolution is to
DO the same thing in reference TO those who
favor the proposition Although no direct nom
irstiun bill has yet been introduced. I think it
fs about time something was done to have the
question brought up for debate"
Assemblyman Francis arose to debate the
resolution. and It accordingly went over for a
week Mr. Bennett said he was not certain
when he would move TO debate the resolution.
but that It would probably be some time next
zeek- The resolution asked shat the New York
city Board of Elections furnish to the Assembly
q statement showing the aggregate vote cast at
the Republican and Democratic primaries in all
the FIVE boroughs Of the city in the years
1865 1907 and 1906 The statement is to be
itenized to Assembly districts
The resolution called attention to the Gov
errors recon- endation for direct primaries.
stating that OF the reasons advanced for
the adoption OF such method was that under
tbs present system the voters do not take any
interest in the primary aqd abstain from par
ricipsting therein It says II is also
serted that under the system Of direct nomina-
tions the voters OF the various parties will have
occasion TO and Will take interest in tbs prf-
mary elections Of their respective parties, be-
cause OF their opportunity under the said law
to express their choice of candidates directly
without the Intervention of conventions
Following the announcement to-day that Gov
ernor Hughes was 10 make q speech at Little
Falls on Wednesday night before the State
Grange. Speaker Wadsworth announces that hs
will speak here Friday night before the
Retail Lumber Dealers Association He will
express his views in opposition 20 direct Vri-
rasries On that occasion.
Governor Hughes Is expected to take I'D the
direct primary system for discussion before the
grange His remarks on that occasion and ths
reception they meet will be Of considerable sig
-ifcanoe Just at this time Much Of the general
iuterest in the direct primary system which IS
being expressed is based on the alleged dis
Inclination OF rural citizens 10 have any change
iu the primary laws especially an extension OF
the party enrolment applying in cities to
tire rural territory Governor Hughes's support
erz. from their investigation Of the subject, say
The farmer voters are just keenly alive TO
the benefits Of the direct primary are city
voters
Speaker wadsvorth's Friday night speech is
part Of tbs regulation campaign Of opposition
So the direct primary system which is being
carried out by various agencies He is sched-
,led 10 make & speech IN Niagara County later
this month. and probably third speech. the
zaaoe and date Of which have not been fixed
Assem- blyTaen Augustus Allen, OF ChautsuQua
COUNTY declared to-day his belief In the direct
rr4;nsrv system and his int ntion TO support
The direct primary legislation