New-York tribune., 1909-03-15
PRIMARY BILL READY? .?
EXPECTED THIS WEEh.
The Legislature Eagerly ATmt'
GOrernOr' Measure.
rRr r.I.Rraph to The Tribune.

TBy Telegraph TO The Tribune
Alhanv March 1.-THE direct nominations bill
,be hin drawn 10 meet Governor Hughes's ideas
and suggestions. and referred to his oounsei ana
the Governor himself at various stages of progress
will be introduced early this week. AT least
various members Of the steering committee, Which
is the composite parent OF that composite measure
say II will be presented Monday or Tuesday
They said so week ago a matter OF fact out
various points on which there was a distinct dii-
ference OF opinion between the upstate ana Brooh-
lyn members Of the committee interYened ana uV-
lay ensued They think their prophecy Is right TINS
time.
When the measure really appears il will find the
entire Legislature awaiting IT eagerly, but with
widely varying sentiments On this DILL, more tlah
any other measure before the Legislature OF
TO he introduced. depends the future course OF TINS
session. Until the bill actually is introduced the
Hughes supporters cannot begin the hard work Of
their campaign effect its passage. Until the Dill
is before them for study. the ant-Hughes men
cannot tell how best fight II. Moreover, theE
want to the Governors proposition in the coid
type Of legal terms before they decide whether IL
will be worth while a last resort to declare
war openly and adjourn the Legislature Vlthou'
acting on the measure after killing It deHb-
erately. regardless OF merit or demerlt
Up TO date all the fighting has been in the nature
o. preliminary skirmishing, even though some OF II
has been bitter and various combatants have re-
ceived serious wounds Not even the Governor
Brooklyn speech. In which he outlined In gen
eral way his plan OF primary reform. was defhl'e
enough 20 bring about formal battle array thouEh
Z, served rather effectively 10 rank the fighters I'm
Hughes and anti-Hughes camps. With the Dill De
fore the Legislature 1t may be expected that Gov
ernor Hughes will take up arms in its defence;
that Speaker Wadsworth, William Barnes. jr
State Chairman woodruff and Senator John Ralnes
Will focus their opposition on the definite leglsia
ton. and finally, that some accurate idea may De
gained OF the feeling within the Legislature nseii'
SITUATION WILL SLOWLY GROW.
In other words out Of what has been rather
chaotic of statement and denial msinforna-
tion misunderstanding with general bad feelhs'
slowly will grow poItica! and legislative situa-
ton" Some Of the elements which Will enter INTO
that situation known. and will be constant
whatever changes there may be in the legislation
itself There will be consistent opposition TO any
scheme advocate ted by the Governor OF his friends
which can be termed direct primary from large
and influential part OF the present Republican or
ganization leaders in New York State. corre-
spending opposition from Democratic machine poll
ticians is expected. Naturally, therefore, goooly
portion Of that Legislature nominated and eiected
under the convention system which Governor
Hughes denounces in present state will be
against the direct primary legislation, at the be
Of the pillars of existing political conditions
Against this Governor Hughes has as his chief
asset in a fight which. right wrong. is going TO
tremendous hold the affection and esteem OF the
people OF this and other states, with an abid-
ing faith in mis- absolute sincerity, honesty and dis
interestedness. Side by side with this must be
reckoned the great anti boss sentiment, which
even the bIindest the Governors antagonists will
deny
II the anu-Hughes leaders do not resort to the
strong arm" ard adjourn hastily 10 choke off dis
cussion Of the primary reform plans, the Legis-
lature must settle down 10 a long session while "a
campaign OF education is carried on, with the
Governors bill the textbook Hughes men. con-
sidering the Governors strength with the people
fessional politicians say his antagonists will
have courage to adopt the strong arm method OF
solving the problem. In that the question OF
passing the bill resolves itself largely into ques
ton Of the relative skill OF the Governor and his
friends and the antagonists af his project liz lay
ing their before the people The Governor won
his spurs in appeals the people his first year
in Office when by taking his difficulties right 10 the
voters he their support sufficiently to accom-
plish the passage Of the Public Service Commits
legislation. His record last year in bringing
the subsequent Endorsement Of his when the
voters turned down some OF his conspicuous
legislative adversares still linger in the minds of
politicians. The Governors friends say that II
the case is its merits and the undoubted
control OF the Legislature by professional poll
tcians is not exerted against the Governor the re-
suit Is certain