New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-16

THE THE Is RIPE FOR THE GOFERNOR.
The difference between the results in Her
kiIner County and in Oswego County was not
so great after ALL In osweso the organization
stood IT'S ground against direct primaries ana
was completely routed. In Herkimer the or
ganization perceived the force of the rising
tide OF public opinion and gracefully yielded.
The result there was like that in Franklin. The
organization carried the primaries by a narrow
margin, but saw at once the folly OF making
use of its victory. Assemblyman Fellows was
retired and Dr. Eveleth, the direct primaries
candidate was nominated I'm his place. The
convention unanimously Endorsed direct nomi-
nations, and the Republican leader Of the county,
who short time ago declared against tAe re-
form, reversed himself and went on record IN
its favor. This is another victory for the Gov
ernors idea Of a very impressive sort Dr-
Eveleths candidacy was announced only few
weeks ago. and the development of sentiment
in his favor appears TO have astonished the or
ganization In view Of this result ii may
again be said that in no district has the direct
primaries issue been squarey presented to the
people without meeting with success. The
strength of candidates representing ii amazeS
those accustomed TO see only those succeed who
bear the imprimGfur Of the machine
Governor Hughes will begin his campaign
for his reform under most favorable auspices.
There is no reason 10 suppose that he Will meet
with any weaker response when ne talks about
direct primaries at the various county fairs
and farmers gatherings thar he will address
i'm the next few weeks than have the Assem-
bly, candidates who have appeared before the
voters upon that platform. The idea has made
unmistakable progress since last winter. When
the Governors bill was introduced we watched
in vain for indications Of a strong public senti-
ment for it, But there is no installing the
meaning Of such results as those in Oswego,
Otsego Herkimer and Franklin counties. 1t
will not do To dismiss these purely local and
isolated exhibitions of a limited feeling. The
only difference between these counties aud the
others where the organization hurriedly put its
candidates in nomination without any opposi-
ton developing is that in these counties the
issue was raised while In the others the or
ganzation succeeded in avoiding the issue. The
direct nominations movement has been without
organization. while the opposition has COM
pete. thorough and yigilant organization. The
direct nominations movement has been spon-
taneOus. and its results are an accurate indi-
cation of the trend OF public sentiment.
The victories of the movement moreover
have been so striking as 10 attract the attention
of the whole state. Organization men are say
ing 10 themselves everywhere that what hap
pened TO the machine In OswegO and in Her
kimer may happen TO them the next primary
day. And the man who has hitherto taken no
active part in politics is encoura ged 10y The eX-
ample Of what his kind of Republican has
accomplished elsewhere 10 further the Gov
errors idea. Therefore the Governor viii be
listened 10 everywhere by a keenly Interested
audience. Men will drink in eagerly what he
has 10 say about the defects of the present
system. and about his recomfHenda-
tons for their cure. II is not an academic
question, but a practical one. The public Is
now unquestionably wrestling with IT, We eX-
pect 10 see the Governor get the people with
him in this campaign 10 a much greater.
tent than he did with his expOSitory speeches
last spring. His idea has now soaked into the
popular mind, and the impression IS favorable.
The time is ripe for an emnently successful
campaign his part in behalf of his reform.