New-York tribune., 1909-03-10
A NEW PRIMARY MOVE
1NTT-HUGHES MEN DRAW
Up BILL.
To Oppose Governors Measure 5cith
Plan Embodying "Declardtions"
of the State Platform.

Albany March 9.-Opponents of Governor
Hughes's primary reform measure are prepar-
ing TO concentrate all their strength In the
7 legislature behind a bill or bills TO he intro
duced 1t is expected. in n short time to carry
out the declarations" of the Republican state
platform regarding improvements in the pri-
maries While some persons here not able
to decide lust what those declarations meant,
the proposed legislation in a general way Will
provide for a general enrolment an official pri-
mary ballot and the safeguarding of primaries
somewhat as elections safeguarded. at
the expense of the state.
The decision on the part Of those hostile to
the Governors plan 10 try this method Of hght-
ine fire with fire was reached. II learned
to-day. largely a result Of Senator Elhu
Roots speech at the Barnes dinner, warning or
ganization men Of the deepest dye that the Gov
ernor was only following public sentiment IN
endeavoring 10 improve party representation
and was winning praise therefor all over the
country.
From their point of view this plan Of the
Governors opponents has two advantages. 1t
shows. they say. that the organization men are
willing to make organizations truly represeh-
| tatiye" and gives opportunity for the statement
| that the organization men are willing TO meet
| the Governor half way. This is somewhat I'M
| portant to them. because IT has come to light
/
| the national policies Of the party have sent word
| recently to the New York State leaders who are
! opposing Governor Hughes that they were In
| turing the party in the eyes of the country by
! their inccssant pickering with the Governor
| over almost everything he undertook The I'M
/ provements over existing primary conditions
| which it is expected these leaders will now pro
| pose have been discussed widely in the agta-
! ton for direct primaries and seem TO have met
| general favor. They would be an integral part
! Of Governor Hughes's measure.
The enemies OF the direct primary say they
would cure ali the evils now in existence and
would make it unnecessary to go further. as the
| Governor plans to do with hts nominating COM
Inittees, elected at direct primaries and answer
able for their official acts to the people by refer
| eudum Speaker Wadsworth and William
Barnes, ir as well numerous other upstate
politicians. have acknowledged at different
times the advisability Of improvements on the
present primary method.
BOSSES" DENY QUITTING.
This newest phase of the anti-direct primary
battle is interpreted here as an acknowledgment
of the great strength the Governors plan for
primary reform has gained throughout the
state and as a concession of a sort to arouse
public sentiment. more particularly the sentl-
ment within the party lines which Is demanding
square deal without any cold deck in the
game Tactcally, it probably will prove one Of
the strongest cards the opposition to the Gov
ernor could play, because it will have a suffi-
cient element of reform" to satisfy many party
men now out Of sympathy with conditions, but
doubtful Of the wisdom practicability of any
direct primary. even the modified form sug-
gested by Governor Hughes
Sympathzers with the Governors endeavor
10 make party government truly representative,
though are somewhat afraid that this is a
"deathbed repentance" and are doubtful
whether in any case. ii will entirely satisfy the
demand for primary reform all over the state.
Exaggerated reports yesterday and to-day that
the "bosses' had thrown up the sponge and
were prepared TO abandon any further opposi-
ton to the Governors direct primary plan have
excited much quiet mirth here. They have done
nothing of the sort. But this has happened;
They have begun TO obtain a fairly adequate
idea OF the forces the Governor represents and
the cost of fighting him to the end. A few Of
them are Just bitter in their opposition as at
first. and these probably will fight to the end;
but there is not general an opposition to the
Governors project there was a few weeks
ago and after his bill is introduced his friends
exnect 10 see the opposition reduced much fur
ther almost TO the few irreconciabIes
Speaker Wadsworth one of those who
ton had ended.
WILL FIGHT TO END.
an the interest of accuracy" said he. ut is
proper for me TO say positively that this rumor
IS absolutely false. and l might add that 1
unable TO discover any considerable sentiment
I'm the Legislature for either the simon pure
direct nominations plan which has recently been
abandoned, or for the recently suggested official
nominating committee"
Senator Raines said he knew nothing about
anv surrender Of the bosses" We haven't
even seen the bill yet" he said. and if it is
along the lines reported, l am of the opinion
that it will have pretty rough shedding" Sena-
tor Raines is of the men who will oppose
direct primaries in any form to the very last
william Barnes, jrr issued a formal denial
Of the reported surrender Said he:
There Is absolutely truth in the newspaper re-
ports published last evening and to-day that the
changed its position. The manifest evils OF this
system have been so clearly shown by President
run, Charles +. Young and others that those who
would save the state from the folly OF the pro- .
gent sentiment of the state ii they hestated or
fatered in any degree. From what know of the
possibe chance FOR the passage OF a direct nomina-
tions bill. II is significant of the manufactured 3,
been claimed ] going 10 Bermuda for two
months. had intended to take a trip there for
as an indication OF weakening on the part OF the
opposition to direct nominations, l shall be
than pleased to remain in Albany
Representatives Of the Brooklyn Young Re.
publican Club will come here Thursday to con-
fer with Senators Hinman. Davenport and
Travis and Assemblymen Hamn and Green and
Dean Alden. the Governors legal adviser who