New-York tribune., 1909-02-08
WAIT FOR WOODRUFF
FH4FRM4N'S ATTITUDE ON
DIRECT PRIMARIES.
Opposition Cam paign of .Anti-
Hughes Forces Clearly Outlined
IN Recent Happenings.
rRy Telegraph 70 The Tribune.

scheduled 20 reach here early this week for
series Of conferences with legislators and po-
,itjcal leaders on the direct primary nomination
.vstern. and the part ne will take in the exist
ing delicate situation is arousing much con-
lecture
In the Legislature the bitter feeling toward
Governor Hughes goes far toward confirming
the stories of an anti-Hughes cabal or clique
held together by q "'gentlemen's agreement"
The political manipulation visible with every
rev appointment Of the Governors in an attack
m him in some fashion through his appontees
ana the haIf-defned lineup OF Republican
leaders for and against the direct primary sys-
ten have made the political aspect Of the sit
nation patent So every move Of the state
chairman viii reflect an importance which II
rnsv or may not possess.
e+a-A Chairman Woodruff has been conferring
-dth various leaders at Washington regarding
+hs direct primary plan as it exists in West
e-n states. His advocacy OF this system UP TO
dste though hearty, has been entirely general
Now the announcement has gone forth from
oBsrters opposed to the adoption OF the Gov
.-,or.s -ecommendation that the chairman will
,7rgs great caution-even q legislative investi-
Estion by special committee to get information
bsfors snv legislation is passed His appear
snoe It the scene Of battle at this particular
+ir7e IS thought 10 1T rather neatly into the
recommendations
Efforts are being made under the surface to
convey the impression that men in national life.
f-on President Roosevelt down. are against the
covernors endeavor TO establish direct pri-
-nsries in this state. Elihu Roots speech before
shs LEGISLATURE, despite the fact that at the
Saratoga convention he advocated direct pri-
-,sr,es. has been twisted and distorted to put
him into the position OF declaring against the
ion nT 8
Sherman the other night that he stood for po-
1-;cs1 orga rizaticn is being dragged into the
discussion neck and crop. The half-veiled init
nation is given that if Chairman Woodruff ad-
vises caution in legislation If will be because
he;s IN some fashion voicing the wishes Of the
big men 81 Washington
HAND OF THE CORPORATIONS SEEN
This direct primary battle. actually being
fought with vigor before the legislation has be-
r7n 70 assume shape, involves SO many things,
ss some Of the supporters of this plan view con-
di1ions that Il is almost Of national scope. They
deem If more than z mere contest between
rrogressive Governor and a reactionary Legis-
lature or Governor and opposing party lead
ers They see in Il struggle Of the corpora
tons which in past years have played SO large
a part in the doings Cf both political parties 10
retain their hold on the political machinery. with
the wiling aid Of party leaders who fear not
necessarily their political death, but fatai
weakening Of their present absolute political
dominion. And more-they see an effort to dis
credit Governor Hughes. through his defeat SO
as 10 take him forever from the field of public
life where he Is admittedly a dangerous force
70 lust those elements in politics and where his
great strength with the voters promises future
prefer1nent and honors-
With these general conditions in mind, the
moves on the political chessboard here begin 10
assume relationship to another. The pub
Hcitv sought for arguments against the Gov
ernor's direct nominations recommendation
through speeches Of various we'll known men
and publicity bureaus like the Neville arrange
nent which used the Secretary Of States sta
7ionery is not alone TO defeat the direct pri-
n,aries: Il is incidentally TO discredit the Gov
ernor Even so honest a man as Speaker Wads-
worth who respects and admires the Governor
though he does not agree with him on some
things cannot resist side sneers at reform
ers-
GRANGE WITH GOVERNOR
Governor Hughes In his unfortunate choice Of
Wallis as Superintendent Of Insurance lent am
munition 70 the enemy in this campaign whlch
g bound to hurt him to certain degree IhaL'
however. seems likely 80 be obliterated from the
public mind by the more recent occurrences IN
the turning down of Herbert z. Cook as State
Highway Commissioner and the outgrowth or
the Senaee-s action. The most interesting event
N the direct primary campaign up to date mas
been the almost unanimous adoption by the
State Grange Of resolutions favoring this pro
posed legislation. Beyond question that acton
was prompted very largely by the general beHeI
that Senators Raines. Aids and Grady nao
9oined hands to harass and dscredit Governor
Hughes Senators Raines and Aids, Republican
leaders IN the Senate. say this belief does them
great Injustice and this may be true, especially
IN Senator Raines's case. for he has rather
liking personally for the Governor. But many
perhaps most Of the eighty thousand grangers-
think that the leaders of the Governors own
party are against him for some inscrutaoie rea-
sons and they want 10 know why They cannot
question the Governors motives in advocating
the direct primaries
With the announcement that the Governor VIII
appoint William Horace Hotchkiss, Of Buffalo,
Superintendent Of Insurance tomorrow night,
and the probability that he will announce new
name for the minority member Of the State
Highway Commission very soon, discussion OF
the Governors appointees continues TO be topic
Of immediate interest 20 legislators from It's
bearing On the direct primary fight Action on
these men IS likely TO indicate the legislative
temper toward the Governor. So far as IS
known there is no disposition unduly to hold up
the confirmation of the Superintendent Of In
srrance. although some Of the anti-Hughes Sen
stors nav insist on a thorough-even minute
examination Of his record. II is the Democratic
member OF the state Highway Commission who
may furnish the material for further demon
Etrations Of snti-Hughes feeling. While no pos
sible indication of the individuals the Governor
has under consideration for that place can be
cleaned. his ideas IN 2 general way are known
70 ali men II i certain that the next man he
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