The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-30
Former President Tries to
Aid New York Legislation
IN FAVOR OF PRIMARY LAW
Message Is Sent to Lloyd c. Griscom
Urging Passage BY Legislature of
Cobb Bill for Direct Pri-
mary Nominations

NcwrY ork June 2s.-Theodore Roosevelt
political subject since his return from
Europe on June Is. In telegram from
Cambr' 1ge. Mass. whittier he had gone
to atte 4 the Harvard commencement, he
advocates enactment, with certain
amendis% ~ the so-called Cobb direct
nominakeo q now before the extraordi-
nary /.<S eof the legislature in this
statlO>o r
LO<~ n.egram, which is addressed tc
|%<SS ~. Griscom, chairman of the re-
- an county committee of New York
. s@y, ard sponsor for the amendments
SQuestion, follows:
During the last week great numbers OF
republicans and of independent voters
from all over the state have written me
urging the passage of the direct primary
legislation. | have seen Governor Hughes
and have learned your views from your
representative. 1t seems to me that the
Cobb bill with the amendments proposed
by you meets the needs of the situation. |
believe the people demand it. | most
to law
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Colonel Roosevelts statement, II have
seen Governor Hughes" must refer to
their brief meeting at Cambridge today
Both met for a short time, their first
meeting since Colonel Rooseyelt's return.
Mr.. Griscom received the telegram late
this afternoon and made 1t public, togeth-
er with an appended statement explain
ing the proposed amendments to the Cobb
bill. The bill is now before the judiciary
committee of the assembly. The amend
ments will likely be introduced in the
senate tomorrow
THE amendments says Mr.. Griscom's
statement, while affecting the law
throughout the state in some particulars
are chiefly important to New York city
or these, he says, 'the second amend
ment provides that a voter in New York
city changing his residence aftei enroll
ment shall lose his right to vote at the
primary election. The allegel removal
of an elector from one place to another
within an electoral district has been a
e.f .sda4 i-s-
tions. The proposed amendment will,
therefore, make for greater honesty at
primary elections and will disfranchise a
comparatively small number of people
VINO might OIHeTWlSe De icbiliifidtciy oh-
titled to vote.
Under the present law, as it has ex-
listed for some years. voter may lose his
vote at primary elections by moving from
one side of the street to another where
the street forms the div ling line of an
election district The change, there FORE
is comparatively slight, thought impor-
tant.e
Concerning an amendment which ap-
plies to the city of New York exclusive
ly, Mr.. Grscom says: This exempts
the nominees for county offices from
the provisions of the bill in every year,
whereas the Cobb bill exempted those
officers only years in which a mayor
was to be chosen. As 1t Is believed
that under the amended Cobb bill fusion
would be exceedingly difficult, II not
Impossible. 1t was deemed wise to leave
the door open for fusion In other years
than those in which 6. mayor was to pe
elected.
"Other amendments provide that dele
gates to conventions and special cleo
tors need not necessarily reside in the
district from which they are elected.
"In the selection of delegates to ma
tional and state convention particularly,
1t is often found desirable to send dele
gates of party prominence. such as
Nicholas Murray Butler, Senator Root,
Seth Low. Steward l.. Woodford. Otto
T. Barnard. Henry L. Stinsor etc, from
districts other than those In which they
reside and the amendment is intended
to allow the continuance Of a well es-
tablished practice.