New-York tribune., 1910-06-21
rRr reinr-nnh "a The Trteune.l ]

.,.- Hnrhes.s message to the Legislat-
ure fellows:
70 the Legislature.
have convened you in extraordinary
sessioa in order that appropriate action
-nev h~ taken with regard TO matters
which believe 10 De Of Importance 10 'ie
interests Of the people Of the state.
rsrst-T recommend for your cons1oera-
,fo, ,na subject of tire amendment or the
.sxr relating 10 primaries. the making OF
s,5rsble provision for direct nominations
o< candidates for public Office, and, IN con-
nection herewith. provision for representa-
tive and responsible party management
The people are dissatisfied with existing
conditions and demand a change What-
ever rnay be said OF imperfections in the
law relating 10 this matter in other Juris-
dictions. there can be no question that these
laws reflect a wholesome sentiment which
is countrywide ard cannot be denied That
sentiment is that the 5nstrumentanues OF
party management shall not be so ar
ranged as TO facilitate the purposes OF
those who would subvert government TO
their selfish advantage 1t is sentiment
that demands for the members of political
parties simple and direct methods by which
.hev can exercise their Just rights in de-
the work and preferences of party man.
1rers shall he brought TO the test Of party
opinion freely expressed, to the end that
leadership that dishonors the party may
be more readily overthrown. and that It
NAV he easier to give effective support TO
honest party mana cement in the public In
ferest.
The people in this state as well as else
where are not disposed TO tolerate con-
finuance OF q system which experience con-
6ernns because 1t fosters an alliance be-
tween business and politics and tends to
make departments Of the government the
servitors OF those they are intended TO con-
troll The need is 10 give this sentiment
proper expression In well devised measures
Strong Party Organizations Needed.
The essentially of parties in the working
Of our system Of government, and the ne
oessity of strong and capable party orsani-
zation make IL of first consequence that
these instruments Of democracy should not
be used against itself. The more loyal one
Is 20 his party and the stronger his con-
vction Of the Importance Of his partys
principles and policy, the more keenly
must he resent perversion of its counsels
and deprecate their alienation by reason of
their resentment at despotic control of
rate This applies TO all parties. for the
greatest danger TO any party IS TO lose the
moral support and enthusiasm of fits rank
and file and the cordial interest OF its in
teiligent and unselhsh members who can
not make political activity a vocation
Methods that produce and support oil
garchy are destructive 10 q party's health.
The wider the extension of governmental
work the more important becomes the Ques-
ton OF its quality. its economy and eff
cheney. The larger our outlays the more
important il is to secure disinterested ser
vice and TO relieve the public officer from
obligation 10 those who would use the de-
partn1ents Of government as a base Of sup
plies in maintaining control of party ma
chinery The more complete the super
vision Of the exercise Of public franchises
and Of the operations Of business closely
related 70 the public interest. the more i'm
portant II is to secure fairness in the e1-
ercise of Administrative authority.
We must safeguard the purity Of the bal
lot ana protect our general elections from
violence and fraud; but 10 secure the ad
r1inistration Of government upon sound
basis we must insist not only upon proper
methods aa-election day. but q fair and
free opportunity within the party on pri-
mary day.
Reform Not imprs scticai.
The reform which has been urged for
your consideration is not impractical or
visionary. Il consists OF provision for en-
rclment Of the party voters. for fair and
suitably arranged official primary ballot
/ ana for q proper opportunity TO the party
voter 70 express directly his choice IN the
selection Of candidates for public Office,
and also in the selection Of those who.
rrendatons with respect 10 candidates. I
believe that opportunity should be provided
TO those who have beer chosen TO represent
the party TO make their recommendations.
and thus TO secure 20 the party the advan-
tsge Of their conference and open advice.
But the decision should not rest with the
party managers. The delegate system in
the main operates TO give the decision TO
the managers. while cloaking their respon-
sipility under the form OF a choice by the
representatives Of the party voters The
members Of the party should have the sub
stance, and not merely the form While,
as I have frequently said. public opinion
under our existing system wins its victories
nov and then. in exceptional cases. these
victories are won against unnecessary odds.
fhese obstacles should be removed
The bill which was passed at the recent
session ! was uldDt6 10 dpkAoNc- Aol IiAO
reasons stated In my special message upon
that subject. A measure providing for
system of direct nominations Of candidates
for elective Offices including the candidates
for state ofTices for which all the electors
IF the state are entitled TO vote, was, much
70 nv regret defeated in both houses For
I believe that this measure. with its care
FL provision TO give due place 10 the proper
working OF party organization. while en-
forcing the rights OF the party voters,
would have accomplished genuine reform
have not changed my belief with respect
IN the advissbility OF this measure. and L
trust II may yet commend itself 10 the
sudsment of the Legislature
Another measure was introduced which.
orooeedins along the same lines and adopt
ing the same basis and principles, was ap-
,licshle 70 the nomination Of candidates for
members Of Congress. for the Senate and
Assembly and for numerous county officers
This bill was passed IN the Senate In the
closing DAYS Of the recent session. but.
being brought TO d vote on the eve of ad-
5onrnrnent failed OF passage in the AS
eemtay While the measure cid not go as
far as I believe we should go. nevertheless
& represented a substantial reform. And
tte failure 10 secure the approval OF both
branches Of your honorable body has left
. condition which should be remedted with
DIT delay.