New-York tribune., 1909-01-26
PRIMARY FIGHT BEGINS
Continued from first page.

voters of anv party TO obtain exactly what they
desire
1T is to he noted that except where the present
primary law is in force" says the senator Hi
Republicans and all Democrats and all indepen-
dents as we'll or such ever hold caucust can nave
their saw in the selection and instruction Of their
party delegates
The Governor admits this and unwittinSly hits
direct nominations gancing blow. with the nam
mer Of HIS logic. which comes near 10 oeIhs d
knockout In his New York speech. he says, ex-
perience shows that under the present system the
voters of the party. except when there is some
mighty unheaval. have very little to say, so when
there is a mighty upheavar they can have much
to say. they talk out loud and vote II theN
choose under the present system. Why can they
not do so at any time IL they think II IS 1he rsht
time for an upheaval and they wish to heave!
Il cannot imagine that the bosses. if they have
the power attributed them now. would have any
less under direct nominations If direct nonina-
tions' would really diminish the power of the
bosses 1--WE must not for a moment ADMIT they
are leaders for those most active in promouhs
direct nominations and loudest in denouncing
bosses say they favor Of party organization
and lea dersD II might be a consummation devoutly
to be wished. the work of the boss has within
a short time been somewhat in evidence in this
state.
DELEGATES OBEY INSTRUCTIONS
In nv long experience of more than forty years
I have known of but few instances in which DEL
caucus or convention which selected him. most
notable instance of this submission TO instructions
was seen in the last Republican National ConTeh-
ton. The Republican State Convention OF New
York had instructed the delegates TO sup
port Governor Hughes candidate for the Presi-
dency as also several of the Congressional DIS
trfct conventions, and although there came time
when. greatly TO disappointment it was certain
the Governor could not be nominated, ana When
some of the delegates-at-large and many or the
district delegates who under instructions de-
sired intensely to solidify the vote ofs New YORK
upon another candidate, they would not disregard
the instructions their constituents had given them
unless the Governor should release them from their
obligation 10 further support him. This release
was not secured, and New York was inpotent IN
that convention. You may judge from TINS now
loyal delegates are to the commands OF their con-
stituents."
Senator Raines declared that the direct nonina-
tions plan involves great expense and virtually
means extra election.
1T is possible" he says in closing, that sys-
tenn which has given US Cleveland, Harrison, Nc
Kinley Roosevelt and Taft, as Presidents; Morton,
Black, Roosevelt. Odell, Higgins and our present
Executive Governors, very bad, bad that 1t
stencil in the nostrils of REFORM but We must
remember that reform has very sensitive sense
OF smell.
After all. this is question not OF morals but
of good poltics-that Is of good government What
is best for the interests of the people,
MR. BARNEs's EDITORIAL
Likewise Mr.. Barnes argued that the direct pri-
mary system would not accomplish the result OF
obtaining most representative public servants any
better than the present system. The editorial fo-
lows:
If Under the present E gEmag sgste r.. dssgSiss
viii of their party who Permit themselves
ignored or TO become the subject OF barter ana
the majority Of the party. and CONSEQUENT neglect
of voting at the primaries. The primary law
is In gives full and free OppOT-
Iunity TO The Of each party TO constitute
to make it a Certainty that the delegates who
semble in the conventions viii be men obedient to
II follows logically that the same Indifference t zee;
system were changed The theoretical righteous
majority, whose cause Governor Hughes processes
maries as before and the men who t as the Gov, Gov,
T0f @ as fns afe we to ooncee te @
of argument-they pick out the subservient dele
eeventh-hour defeat Of the wicked political bosses
through the Irresistible influence upon a conven-
sentiment sent T ee or mandate from washington
G9yernSr Hughes lightly brushes aside the con on
direct nominations in the platform upon which he
the O proposition There is no deeiaration against II
therefore it is permissible to advocate and demand
it, is the substance OF his reply.
But there is an unwritten law. which, as rule,
bonor bound d. 10 OBEY that restricts the aggressive
activities Of puo oGeE TO- efforts for for the m &C &C
party's platform. William H. Taft, the next Pres
dent United States. gave prominent recogni-
tion that 7aw when he said. before the Ohioans
i'm New York on December IS last:
Generally the method of settling what the party
policies must be is left 10 the national convention
which makes the platform. And this platform de-
clares what the policy of the party shall be On
platform candidates, If successful, elected,
and there arises because the party successful
on these, issues, sacred duty the part OF the
leaders of the Senate and House and the
part Of the President 10 carry out the policy thus
declared
The corollary of that IS that It is an equally