New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-01
PARTY FOR HUGHES
VIII Probably Renominate
Him, If a Candidate.

Timothy l.. Woodruff chairman of the
Republican State Committee said yester-
day In the course OF a discussion of direct
nominations and the Governors policies
that II Governor Hughes should be a can
didate for denomination next fall the or
ganization probably would be for him. He
said also that while the state organization
was heartily in favor Of primary reform
IL was resolutely opposed 10 the abolition
OF party conventions. The state chair
man made IT clear that the organization
would do its best to put through legislation
that would safeguard the interests of the
voters and cut down election frauds.
Il am convinced from talking with Re
publicans all over the state" said Mr.
Woodruff yesterday. that the Republican
state organization and the Legislature will
support any measures looking TO needed
reforms in primary elections, and give
them ell the safeguards now thrown
around general elections. ] am equally
certain that they will not support meas
ures that will result in doing away with
the convention system.
Il have found that most people who
discuss electoral reform don't understand
the logical result of establishing direct
nominations. They are constantly con-
fusing direct nominations and primary re-
form. In talking with leading Repub-
licans around the state-some Of them
Judges have been surprised to hear
them say that they were in favor Of di-
rect nominations and in the same breath
that they were opposed TO the abolition of
conventions II they want the convention
retained as part Of our political system
they must be opposed TO direct nominal
tions
made on this subject. in convention and out
have advocated primary reforms-changes
in the present primary law that will safe
guard the interests OF all the voters / be
lieve that Republicans all around the state
are practically unanimous for such changes
but they are against the abolition Of the
convention system.
Under system of direct primaries u
would not have been practicable TO NOM
mate a fusion ticket in this city this fall
The control OF the Board of Estimate and
Appor;ionment and the bOroughs is now
In the hands of anti-Tammany officials or
will be after January l. and this would not
have been possible under direct nominations.
An example OF the extent TO which mis-
| guided voters will allow their advocacy %
] direct nominations TO carry them is afforded
| In the case of the opposition 20 Speaker
| Wadsworth. Speaker WadswOrth is one of
the finest men in the state. That type of
/ public man ought TO he upheld and retained
in the service OF the people as long as they
viii consent. WadswOrth has stood for the
same reforms that these direct nomination
enthusiasts stand for. But what did they
| do? Why, laboring under the misunder-
| standing that il was necessary to beat
! Wadsworth 10 get primary reform. they
| actually sent money up into his district I'm
! an effort 10 defeat him for reelection"
Referring to an assertion made by him
| self last week i'm discussing an alleged re-
| mark by Ex-Governor Odell about a con
spiracy 20 nominate Roosevelt for Gov
ernor. the state chairman said
Some peOpie who like to make trouble
\ have taken my statement TO mean that we
are casting about for some one to beat
| Governor Hughes. Nothing could be fur
| ther from my real meaning. or from the
| facts. Personally. believe that If Governor
! Hughes will take a denomination. he will
! be renominated and elected. / make these
statements to correct the wrong impression
which may have been created by those
who have been trying to make it appear
I that l was booming Roosevelt for the Of
! flee of Governor merely for the purpose OF
! sidetracking Hughes. No one has any idea
! of sidetracking the Governor II is for
/ the Governor himself 10 say whether OF
not he will run for the Office again"