Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-03-30
SUGGESTS THE DIRECT
PRIMARY AS REMEDY
In An Address at a Banquet OF the
Merchants Exchange, the Chief
Executive of New York Says Clean
inq up is Needed and Safeguards
Aaainst Future Corruption.
DIV Associated Press.J

NEW YORK, MaFcn zJ.-uoNei hoi
Hughes was cheered AZ New
Rochelle tonight as advo-
Gated annihilation of graft in
politics in an address at ban
uuet of the Merchants Exchange. lie
did not refer specifically 10 scandals
at Aha at any time during ms
speech. tut when he had concluded
H.. was asked for an expression on
the Aids decision of today. To this
he replied. paraphrasing his address
"JIere must be the very fullest in
vestigation by all proper means
The political household needs
disinfection and we shall save money
by making the process thorough
one." declared the GOcernor.
Fullest inquiry by every compe-
tent means" into the charges OF
political corruption in New York
state were advocated by the governor
who declared that he had no panacea
for prevention of future public ills oil
similar nature. but declared anew
his belief in the direct primary as
salutary measure for purging the
political system.
Opportunity for People.
Starting with the declaration thar
the assumption is not partisan. nut
the common enemy, Governor Hughes
said:
These are wholesome days for the
people of this state. full OF opportnl-
| ity and promises II is not when the
iestilence is known, the infected
quarters ascertained and every effort
made 10 limit and eradicate. that We
nave reason to be alarmed. but wheE
ignorance and indifference permit its
spread unchecked
81 am a Republican. strongly at
tached TO my party and earnest in
the desire for Republican success.
But | cherish concern deeper and
more vital than that. ! want to see
the Illicit efforts of privilege trustrat-
ed. bribery and corrupt arrangements
DESTROYED and the market places
where governmental favor has been
bought and sold. converted into true
assemblies of honest Representatives
Of the people
Believes in Publicity.
I'VE should seek, TO the fullest ex
tent possible. the benefit of the puri
fying influence of publicity. This is
not a time for concealment. for adroit
fnesse. for pleasant schemes to hood
wink the people. There must be a
STRAIGHTFORWARD dealing
Some object on the ground that !;
costs money to investigate. That IS
true: but il will cost more not to in.
vestigate. The political household
needs disinfecting and we shall save
money bv making the process q
thorough one.
LET there be the fullest inquiry
by every competent means
1t is needed TO expose those who
have been faithless to their trust. II is
needed to put an end TO corrupt al
liances between business and politics
1T is needed to protect honest
business.
Just to Honorable Men.
1T is just to the honorable men
in the legislature who should not be
the victims OF an indiscriminate de
nunciation by reason Of practice In
which they have no part
1t is Just to party organization
that II NAV be saved from the corrupi
uses which have brought IL into con
tempt
1T is needed 10 show how and
wherein the peopSe have been deceiv'
cd that they may protect themselves
against deception in the future
Changes in System Neeoeo-
III Is necessary in order that
remedial measures. whether In exc
cufive rules or in statutes. should be
adopted as TO reduce TO a minimum
the opportunities for stealth and Of
chicanery IN advancing or retardine
legislative proposals.
Whatever may be the result Of
sach an inquiry II = clear now. as u
has been for a long time. that We
should make a change in cur methods
of nominating candidates for cleo
tive Offices The revelations OF the
pasf few weeks have supplied fresh
evidence Of the defects Of the present
system under which fraud and cor.
rtsuffon have uroo Ircrcd.