New-York tribune., 1909-08-31
CONKLIN TELLS OF TRIP.
Says Direct Nominations Caused
Political Anarchy in Vest.

Albany. Aug SO-"Direct nominations. as we
have seen them. are the greatest gold brick that
was ever handed TO coniding people," was the
declaration here to-day OF Assem5yman Robert ].
Conkln, of New York City, member OF the spe-
csl committee appointed by the last Legislature to
investigate the question of direct primaries and
port 20 the Legislature of 1910 Mr. Conklin said
that the committee had completed its investiga-
uoas in other states which have direct primary
laws. Assemblyman Conkn voted for direct
nominations bill in 1907 and 1906 but voted against
the Hinman-Green bill this year. He said:
The people of New York State have no idea
OK SI me political anarchy that exists in the Mid
driven parties entirely out OF existence in many
communities. In Wisconsin there is no onger a
are aeOen fhe m0s la'
OF which are the Stalwarts and the Half Breeds.
the former are his opponents Those who were at
gone into tSa nave dlsappeare1 ana q nave nave
at the primaries. There are no longer party prin-
10 some extent the OF affairs exists
IN Iowa and Kansas and everywhere else where
The minority party has been swallowed up
I'm, In every community we have visited there has
been but one opinion expressed by the decent.
sober Intelligent citizens, the conservative. pro-
ioathng for the political anarchy into which they
had been plunged. Time and again we met with
We visited; For Gods sake do not infict this in
iQuity on the State of New York;
Mr.. COnklin cited several cases where direct
nominations were unsatisfactory. lie continued:
nations are to be abandoned with the ADOPTION Of
the new charter. In Philadelphia the machine
party twice. seized the organization and compelled
cratic party out OF existence Practically the same
state of affairs exists I'm Pttsburg. BY his sworn
the nomination, and an ilterate aborer on a raiI-
road was picked up by an interruptions rich man.
sherin. Mayor Rose OF Milwaukee has held ohice
him. and under the convention system IL cost him
on on an average 5000 on four different occasions
mary mary 1t Gost him. by his sworn statement, about
as was Mayor McC;ee Of Pittsburg. both opposing
the Jaw as Il existed in their respective statesl.
papers. paid for ADVERTISEMENTS Of candidates be-
fore sr the last Prnary which dealt only with local
man OF high standing In the community could be
gbt fI n nSnaan OF and o6v old
political hacks presented themselves The citizens
ing 10 get some good men 20 run Tor Office as
petition nominees. because the party nominees are
The good people stayed AT home In the primary
didate. In Chicago one Democratic primary bal
lot that have contains 1s2 names for the voter
day The man at the top OF the column Is almost
invariably chosen Tor any minor once; a,. =.
cited. Not one single good result so far as the
pointed out 20 in all travel The number OF
witnesses for and against the principle OF direct
nominations was about the same. but the advocates
always had proposed amendment 20 the
listing law 10 suggest which would remedy the
faults in the system they then had in operation
Direct nominal tions. have seen them,
the greatest gold brick that was ever handed TO a
confiding people. The West adopted IL because of
the abuses Of the unTesenerate delegate and con-
venton system. In no state was there. previous to
the Endorsement OF the direct primary. regulated
primary such have to-day. The people who
are trying 10 make this principle OF the Repuh-
lican party do not realize what they are doing. II
opposition 10 this splitting tho party wide
open. ] still believe that II should be fought all
along the line-iet the cost be what II II
there is any yielding for the sake OF expediency
II will bring It's bitter regrets later. The Repub-
lican party this state from this political
mOnstrOsity.