New-York tribune., 1909-02-21
CONES OUT IN FAVOR OF
PARTY COMMITTEES.
Young Republican Club Plan Gets
His Support WoodrUf.
Takes Issue 1cith Him.

committee of the regular organization OF Kings
County The salient features of this bill were
published in The Tribune two weeks ago
From the platform last night Timothy
l. Woodruff who in the past has in a general
way advocated direct nominations. and this
year had been careful to make previous ex-
preston gave an extended argument against
direct nominations. He argued in favor OF the
convention system, and brought up all the OBJ
jections TO direct primaries hitherto published
and some that seemed to be entirely novel
II was a surprise TO some that the Governor
should show himself SO ready to retain the old
party organization and yield TO some Of the ar
gufnents made against the direct primary law.
that has had tendency to destroy the organ
ization. When the full import OF the Governors
words reached the diners, and they realized that
he was In favor Of a bill such their committee
had drawn although he did not mention that oill
specifically. there were roars Of applause
REASONABLE AND WORKABLE PLAN
Saving he believed the fears OF those who
thought the lack OF some nominations by an ex-
perienced authority would bring about evils
were exaggerated the Governor added: But
also believe that in seeking much needed i'm
provement of present system the aim should
be TO provide a reasonable and workable plan
which will commend itself to the Judgment ot
fair minded and conservative men. and that we
should avoid Jeopardiztng an important reform
by needlessly revolutionary methods
The Governor said he believed in party organ
ization. and wanted TO see it strong and repre-
sentative and wanted direct primaries that the
management of parties might be brought into
closer accord with the spirit OF our institutions
The Governor even went far as to favor
the idea of the Brooklyn Republican Club bill
that has created such violent opposition on
the part Of the advocates of pure direct pri-
maries-that is the preferential place on the
ballot for the nominations of the party commit
tees On this point ne said: 1t would not be
improper but would appear to be natural, to
have such names placed first under their re-
spective Offices" There shall be no designation
Of regular" however the committees nominees
being known only by their first place. Other
nominees. he suggested. should go under the
party list. either alphabetically or in the order
of their films.
In opening his speech the Governor made the
declaration that the present convention sssLsul
OF nominating candidates was. in the main. a
farce and explained that the principle Of direct
nominations was that the members Of the party
were entitled to choose directly the party can
dfdates for elective offices He said that II this
principle were admitted the only question left
was that Of a suitable law. He referred to The
statement about mob rule made by William
Barnes jr at the campfire dinner Of the Re-
publfcan Club in this city months ago. but
did not refer to Mr.. Barnes or the incident spe-
cihcaIy
The Governor showed how difficult it was az
present for enrolled members Of party to OP-
pose the choice of the leaders for various norni-
nations.
OUTLINES OF BILL
Outlining the main features of bill such a.
he advocated Governor Hughes said it would
he easv to extend the excellent enrolment law
now in our cities to the entire state deter
money by those seeking nominations he said.
would be to have a law requiring the fling OF
such expenses. the same as candidates and party
committees are required TO do now
As already stated. The Governor outlined the
constitution of party committees to make party
nominations members of the state COMMITTEES 70
be directly elected from their respective dis
tricts That too many names need not be voted
on for committeeman. he would make the county
committee the basis OF other committees, its
members to be selected from smaller unit dis
tricts on primary day, and the members from a
unit district within the county would constitute
the committee Of that district Committees for
larger districts than counties would be mace up
Of county committees and parts OF such com
mittees in the proper proportion
RepIving to arguments that under a system OF
direct nominations rural districts might De at a
disadvantage as compared with cities. Governor
Hughes suggested that it would be easy 10 pro-
vide for proportional representation DS WINCH
the party voters in given districts would be en-
titled to throw their weight in the primary IN
proportion to the party vote cast IN such com
munfties in the last preceding general election
THE GOVERNORS SPEECH
After referring 10 the advantages Of direct FRI
rnarfes In a general way the Governor first took
nm the objections made against the reform. and
continued as follows:
First-It is said that It is interference with
representative government But we now have
plan cannot fail 10 make party candidates more
representative. Why should not the principle
applicable 10 the people Of the state at large
be applied to the voters of the party? Is not
the Governor and are not the members Of the
Legislature deemed TO be representative? But
they are directly chosen. If officer is elected
by popular vote. why should not the party can
didate for the office be CHOSEN directly oy the
party voters?
Second-It is urged that direct nominations In
volve a double election. but we have primary
gates OF candidates. you have double elec-
ton" Possibly Il is meant that greater inter
est win be attached to the primary election II
the voting is directly for candidates This can
not be regarded undesirable
Third-The argument is made. that il viii re-
quire the man TO seek the Office II viii GER
tanIy make ii less necessary for the man 10
seek the boss. When man is known. and either
affairs has shown himself conSpicuOusly worthy
OF public Office the Office viii seek him Those
who have been impressed with his qualifications
VIII support him What now stands IN the way
of many men is not the lack of confidence on
the part of the people hut the fact that their
proved independence makes them unacceptable
TO the party leaders The qualifications of sub
seFviency VIII be less influential and the oppor-
tunities Of worth VIII be enhanced BY giving th-
voters chance TO vote directly for candfSats,