New-York tribune., 1910-02-21
PRIM AIRY FIGHT ON
Continued from first page.

primary legisla ton and SO continue your
breach with the Governor on this matter
which he considers so Important
That question, in practically that FORM
has been the chief object Of discussion
bv many party leaders recently 1t has
been talked over by Lloyd {. Griscofn.
of New York and Fred Greiner. OF Erie
1t has been considered at Washington
and in New York by Hughes men, ana
at Albany and other places by the
Wadsworth- Barnes Woodruff group VINO
fought the Governor on this and otner
reforms. Governor Hughes himself mas
given il much serious thought
Men who are entirely in the connoehoe
of Governor Hughes say that ne Will oe
most unlikely to make any campaign Oh
speaking for his direct primary Dill tiis
wear. as he did last year. His announce
ment that he would in no circumstances
be a candidate for Governor again pTac-
tiraIlv determined that. He mas nlaue
known his views on this question so
In re can be no mistake about them; ne
has given his personal ~ttentlon TO Dill
ROW pending so that it would De III the
hest possible shape. He considers now
that the Legislature must act. ana the
party having the majority in the Lesls-
lature must bear the responsibility Tor
whatever action is taken
This decision does not mean IN any
sense that the Governor is holding hlm-
self aJoof and refusing TO take any
jota in outcome.
far from the truth He feels that he, as
Governor, has done all he can do He
as Charles T.. Hughes, Repuhilcan
with the party's interest deeply at heart.
unuuestionably will continue TO confer
with party leaders and legislators who
desire to know his views, and viii do
whatever he may to rehabilitate the
party before the public.
The politics of the situation here is
apparent The Governors bill has the
approval of large number of voters of
both parties. The Governors personal
prestige and the respect and affection
for him of the public can be made, in
the opinion of progressive Republicans,
the means of winning party victory next
fall If the party organization follows his
lead now and cleans house thoroughly.
That. in effect, would mean the adoption
substantially of his direct primary bill,
of adequate legislation for the state
sllpervision of telephone and telegraph
companies ballot reform legislation and
the enactment of laws for the proper
conservation OF the states resources fol-
lowed by a reorganization of the Repub-
lican party's political machinery.
PRETENCE BY DEMOCRATS.
ON the other hand. the Democratic
party. though somewhat torn by internal
warfare, is making a pretence of ac-
auiescing in the public demand for the
direct primary. Its leaders i'm the two
houses have introduced. and doubtless
of the most plausible character-war-
ranted TO be the finest kind of cam
paign vote catcher. Republicans of all
shades of belief virtually conCede that
this Legislature dare not adjourn, in the
face of that bill. without enacting some
kind of direct primary legislation. So
almost the only question remaining is
as to the character of such legislation
At that point the question becomes
one wholly for the legislative and party
leaders, so far as Governor Hughes is
concerned His friends say he has the
liveliest knowledge that the party lead
ers must conduct the next campaign, and
that il will have to be conducted on the
record of the present administration and
the actions of the present Legislature.
Because of that. he will not make any
active campaign for his own bill He
will leave action to those who must bear
the responsibility for ii, save that he viii
he willing 10 help his party settle It's
troubles wherever he may
Progressive Republicans have the no.
tion that this can work out in only one
waN-tnat the Legislature will enact
direct primary bill which Will be accept
bic To tine Governor. The Assembly
must begin such action Speaker Nads-
worth is opposed to the direct primary