New-York tribune., 1909-02-01
G. i. TO BACK GOVERNOR
VIII Support Primaries. Measure
EmbodWng Hughes Ideas.
IRv TeIszraph to The Tribune. !

HmOOUHSHS II AUS3Hbo AUtU''
TBy Telegraph The Tribune
Albany. Jan. 3l.-It was learned tonight on ex-
celent authority that the Citizens Union Of New
York had determined to stand for a measure en-
bodyinE absolutely the recommendations Of Gov
ernor Hughes for direct primary nominations. with
official primary ballot OF the Massachusetts
type the enrolment of voters all over the state ana
the general safeguarding of primaries as regular
elections guarded at present-in word. for the
and literal primary reform scheme advocated
by the Governor. This advocacy will go as Tar as
opposition before the Governor TO any partial III
complete or abortive legislation these subjects
which the Legislature might pass IL It refused TO
accept the Governors exact recommendations
The Citizens Union is carrying on campaign OF
education in favor of the adoption Of the direct
urinary system which in its scope and volume
probably is es great that of the various press
bureaus and kindred institutions maintained oy
the adversaries Of the Governors plan IL mas
prepared pamphlets setting forth the nature. his
tory and results OF the direct primary system in the
states where II has been adopted and mas clt-
culated these all over the state There has Just
been completed pamphlet. which those VINO
have seen II describe probably the most com
pete and careful compilation OF facts regarding
direct primaries prepared UP TO date This also
will be sent to all sections of the state to those
who desire It
Legislation wifi be prepared enbodying the Gov
ernors recommendations. with view to having II
free from the defects discovered in the direct prl-
mary laws of other states which have given rise
TO the criticism Of that system by some OF the
Governors opponents. It may be that this legls-
1atinn will not be presented as coming from the
Citizens Union Conferences OF Representatives OF
other organizations from New York City and up
state sections being held. ard it is possible
/ that from these will legislation Whlch may
meet the ideas of the Citizens Union or the ideas
OF the Union. and these organizations nngnt
possibly be embodied legislation supported by
the group Of organizations
The significant feature Of this Information 70
politicians and legislators here is that there IS a
definite and tangible. group of people. capable ana
more than willing to conduct an organized CAM
pagn for what they believe to be right. who VIII
in no circumstances stand for any weak or inper-
feet legislation. If they prevent il there viii
be trial of the direct primaries under laws which
would hamper the perfect working out OF the syS-
tenn. thus prejudice people against 1t and bring
about abandonment Such q condition. members
Of the Citizens Union believe, would be far worse
than 10 have nothing which would be called a 'di-
rect primary law adopted this year.
In general, this seems to be the opinion OF most
of the advocates of the direct primary idea Anti
Hughes men-Speaker Wadsworth Senator Raines.
William Barnes jr-. and other leaders-have ad-
vanced argument after argument against tne sys-
tenn all based on the results in different states
where conditions. political ana economic and social
sre quite different from those in this state. and
where the laws admittedly were in need OF i'm
provenent. Supporters of the Governors proposal
saw that these arguments can be met and the de-
fects in the laws which brought about those faults
ca1 he prevented by careful legislation in this
state Furthermore. they will be prepared, they
say 10 demonstrate this when bills are before the
Legislature for consideration
Meanwhile friends OF the Governor are attaching
considerable significance the nature of the out
cry raised against the system before any lessla-
ton is sight. and the nature Of the campaign
adopted prevent the success of any direct pri-
mary legislation however perfect II might be
They declare that when the opponents of the plan
have raised the boss issue and attacked Gov
ernor Hughes for attempting TO disintegrate his
own party and kill OF party leadership. when al
he has done is to advocate a system which ne be-
leves will give full play to party spirit on the
part of every party man. there must be some very
tende-~s2ot in the body polite which cannot bear
handling.
As matter OF fact Hughes supporters main
tain opposition OF this nature. which will have
none of the direct primary system regardless Of
details, can arise from only one thing-fear that
participation by all party members in the tunc-
tions Of party would deprive these Party leaders
o. their leadership and all its privileges If that
were the case. It s held they stood sef-confessed
as the men the Governor on. various occasions
dubbed petty satrsps.' and In MS message char-
sCterized as those who seek. by determining the
selection of candidates. to pervert administration
to the service of privilege or to secure immunity
for Iawbreaking
Regardless of that. It apparent that old
line leaders now bitterly opposing the direct
urirnar rfes will not IN any circumstances abandon
their opposition. Around the Governor. on the
other hand. Is forming group Of younger men,
somewhat newer IN the poHtcat 1eid. whose IDEAS
were not shaped oy the political customs of former
days.
ITS the inevitable struggle Of new against old
the attempt hold up progress. to prevent the
adoption of things necessarily intrnsieaiiy bet
ter or more right brit surely better adapted to eX
listing conditions Commented one legislator OF this
group And the result is certain said he
whether this this year next or the
wear after il IL bound to come. When about one
half the states IN the Union nave adopted it in
some form o other, and one-half the people in
the country make practically all their nominations
by this system having discarded the old caucus
system what's the use OF trying - turn back the
hands Of time? Wen have direct nominations in
this state. II incidentally get new control Of
the Republican party and new material in the
ranks II may save from seeing the state
Democratic two years from now For, bear this
in mind. II the people see blocked by Republican
bosses what they rightly conceive Il be an az
tempt to give them greater participation in their
political affairs they're going 10 swing this state
Democratic as surely as the next election comes
CTTDDOpTC ITTTGHEC DT dN