New-York tribune., 1909-01-07
THE G0VERNOR'S MESSAGE.

The annual message of Governor Hughes is
an enlightened survey of the affairs of the
state and the problems of the time. 1t presents
q variety of important recommendations, such
as extension of the Public Service Commissions
law. protection of forests from fire and streams
from pollution, reform of judicial procedure
and an inquiry into employers liability ques
tionS and charter revision and financial legS-
lation for New York City. But its chief stress
is on the reform of party government. and,
as was TO be expected. rather upon reform in
the SvStpm of nominations than upon ballot re
form
The argument for the direct primaries system
is one of those keen. clear and able pieces Of
writing which the public has come to expect
from the pen Of Governor Hughes when he is
discussing a topic in which he is deeply inter
ested. He is sures TO he heard from often upon
this subject this year, for it promises To he
ardentIy debated and one who reads his
message can doubt that ne will make deep
public impression before he finishes his dis
cussion of the Importance of having direct &C
counta bility Of officials To the people as he made
two years ago with his speeches upon the neces-
Sity for state control OF public service corpora
tionS and last year with his appeal TO the peO-
pie for the uphodng of the state constitution.
Our present system OF representative nomina-
tons Is well enough in theory. argues the Gov
eTnOT, hOI II breaks uoNn III pTdCIlCF. ueltEdle>
not being representatives hut mere pieces on
the political board and most Of them might
AS we'll he inanimate far their effective
"participation in the choice of candidates is
.cerned." The result is degeneration of party
leadership into mere manipulation: discOur-
agement of A party's voters from participa-
tion in its affairs; accountability sof officials not
to their constituents or even 10 their party. but
10 individuals and the creation of an opportun-
ity for selfish special interests, through these
individuals who appoint the candidates. to
exercise an undue influence in the government
of the state. The results ara not iufrequent!y
good. for there is the cOunteracting influence or
an enlightened public opinion. but this "oper-
ates at a conspicuous disadvantage We
all remember the disadvantage at which.
though finally triumphant, if operated with
respect TO the Governors own denomination last
fall. The cure the Governor believes, Is 10 put
the control of the parties in the hands of the
people Experience he says has shown
that the people can be better trusted than
their sef-constimted guardians and what
experience has shown to be essential 70 the
protection Of the people is likewise needed for
1.-The protection OF the parties
We have summarized inadequatey the Gov
ernOr's strong argument. But he does more
than make ont a respectable for the direct
primary; he meets the chief objections which
have been urged against it. He would prevent
the participation Of members Of one party in
The primaries of the other by requiring
rOlment of party voters similar 10 the regstra-
ton now required before election. with strln-
gent measures 10 prevent fraud" No such
safeguards exist where direct primary frauds
have been complained of. To prevent the undue
use OF wealth in primaries he would require
publicity of expenditures and a Limitation
the amount candidate may spend in seeking a
nomination. And. generally. ne would have the
safeguards Of the law governing general cleo
tiOns apply 10 primary elections. With such a
system as this most of the criticisms
heard regarding the operation Of the primary
in other states would fall to the ground.
The Governor renews his recommendation
for ballot without the party column. The
suit at which be aims. the intelligent c0nsdera-
ton of each Office and each candidate by itself
and by himself is eminently desirable The
question. however. IS likely TO he lost sight OF
beside the larger question Of primary reform.