The Washington herald., 1909-03-23
Gov. Hughes' Primary Plan.

Gov. Hughes has precipltated a fresh
conflict with the party bosses by. causing
the Introduction IN the New York leRts-
lature Of a primary election bill Some
Of the governors enemies have professed
70 see IN this measure a crafty scheme 10
perDetUate boss control. but the bosses
themselves have no doubts on that score.
Their hearty and contemptuous denuncla-
tion OF it as rotten" 'sociailstic." and
''un-American," as well as tending 10
loosen the grip Of the Republican ma
chine. shows that the governors plan 10
put the control OF party machinery and
party nominations IN the hands OF the
people has struck home The principal
features OF the new primary bin are
these:
Designation q zndIdates Tor nomination by
party committees instead Of the present convention
system.
"Al candidates fo- party committees arc to BE-
-cminated By petition only. signed By a specific
number Of enrolled voters and arc 20 be elected an
nually.
The basis Of representation Of each committee
man IS made proportionate TO the vote cast IN his
district for the candidate of his party Tor governor
at the preceding State election
The State committee may be elected from Con
ess. senate. Of assembly districts. as the parties
may for themselves determine.
There IS 20 be al Official primary ballot. with
the names Of all the candidates grouped under the
title Of the Office and numbered consecutivsly. the
party candidates having preferential position
"AH primaries % be held on the same dav.
and there Is 70 be general enrolment Throughout the
State.
Party platforms are to be framed By a party
council, TO consist Of the members of the state
committee and the candidates nominated for State
Offices.
Provision is made for severe punishment for st
tempted corruption at the primaries, and the lavish
expenditure of money IS restrained BY provisions
limiting and defining the purposes Cor which money
may be expended"
The essential principle OF the bin NAV
be found in It's recognition Of party or
ganizations and its provision that PARTY
committees shall be selected by the
voters at primaries. Committees thus Sc
lected have authority 10 designate can
didates for nominations at the primaries
but the people are the final arbiters of
party nominations. Presidential electors
and United States Senators are excluded
from this scheme. The provision for
holding all the primaries on the same
date will do away with the possibility of
stuffed ballot boxes and fraudulent vot-
ing. As viii be observed, the old con-
vention system IS abolished, the only
"reminiscences Of it being the public meet
ings OF party committees for the designa-
ton Of candidates. and the newly formed
party council. to consist Of the State
committee and the candidates for Office.
20 which is given the duty OF framing the
party platform.
II is cOntended in behalf Of the bill
that 1t provides a workable system of
primary nominations adapted to condi-
tions in New York; that It will introduce
responsible committee rule OF party or
ganization, without wrecking legitimate
party organization; that It Will destroy
the autocratic power Of the bosses. and
restore political authority to the en-
rolled voters. OF course. the operation
OF any system depends on the interest the
voters take in it. Even direct nomina-
tons can be manipulated by politicians If