New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-09-28

, not be injured IN the slightest degree. =.
you'd appear that Charles r. Marns
leader of Tammany Hall. and the osbs-
New York City leaders are convinced -.
stafe-wide direct primaries would nor :.
an altogether bad thing for them.
Seymour Van Santvoord IS the r7sr,s.-
Of the committee on platform appoirfs5 -.
Chairman Dix some weeks ago. Since ,h.,
time he has been devotins practicable an
his time % the preparation OF a d,r.~s
nominations plank TO be submitted n -.
committee on resolutions o. the convento-
He has studied closely all the bills ira.
bsv. been introduced IN this state. "a ,.n
"a the laws Of other states on the subfsrs
Those who have been in touch with Rim "A.
clare that his recommendations VIII \.
along lines much broader than those OF tsa
amended Cobb bill.
Nelson z. Spencer. OF Rochester. vso
uas named by Judge Wsdharns. presf1.rs
of the Direct Primaries Association. 4,
ssrve on a committee 70 urge the corvs5-
ton committee on resolutions TO put IN a
atrooE plank for direct nominations. za.d
today that he would DO what hs could IA
have tia, plank as forcefuI az u could ~
made. Mr. Spencer was the Democrats
nominee for Mayor Of Rochester az tie
last ficCIICU. UuL ITO 70AA AD-tdN tLtE ia
was pretty much OF an independent. and
hts presence before'the COMMITTEES on reyo-
I,1tfons might or might not be desired 70
~ was. he would urge that plank favor
ing direct nominations for all state Offices
and the abolition Of the convention BE-
asopted. and, more t1an that. he would
advise that the resolutions include a stand
for the shortening GO the ballot. Direct
nominations. together with a decided -
ductjon IN the number OF elective Offices"
said Mr.. Spencer. would give Us real
Democratic rule. I'm IN favor OF getting
all we can now while the sentiment OF the
people Is 30 nnanifestly for direct norainz-
lions. And IL we can't get the organiza-
tio1 men to take zeal direct primaries re
will aim 20 get as near IL as possible
shepsrd's Views on Platform.
Edward VI Shepard. chairman OF tns
committee appointed by Chairman DIX 70
recommend planks for the platform. said
on his arrival tonight that he did not feel
in a position to talk about the work he
and his colleagues had done. The other
members Of the committee. which includes
Seymour Van Santvoord. r. T Wilson, jr..
William Church Osborn and John :
Crosby. will meet Mr.. Shepard az 10 O'Clock
LO-IHOITOW iiDfHAu5 " 50 CFDA N-+~A IA
dfvidual efforts and coIlats them.
You see" said Mr.. Shepard. we we're
appointed more than anything else to look
into the various matters that ought 70 be
touched on IN the platform We have
gathered enough material 20 make a small
volume. We have six or seven drafts OF
some planks All our work will be pre-
scented to the COMMITTEES on resolutions OF
the convention when II IS appointed"
Mr.. Shepard refused 20 Indicate in any
way what the nature of the direct primary
plank will be. It is known that some 81
the members Of the committee from the
cities see a difficulty presented in direct
primaries Of the more radical type. in that
they would make fusion movements hard
Of accomplishment.
Those who have talked with Mr.. Shepard
profess 10 have an idea OF what IS IN his
mind. OF course the tariff viii not be
overlooked. The Republican party will be
charged with violating its pledge 70 revise
the tariff downward. and the Democrats
of this state VIII pledge themselves 10 do
all in their power to aid in the election OF
a Democratic House Of Representatives
this fan which will put the axe 70 the
schedules as they stand to-day.
The Republican party viii be blamed for
the high cost of living. due not only 70 the
tariff. but also to the alleged extravagance
of Republican administrations. both state
and national The Democrats viii take
some leaves from the old Tilden platform.
1t is said, in discussing the abuses Of gov
eminent.
The platform will undoubtedly touch on
the construction OF the barge canal, pledg-
ing the party 20 carry II 70 completion
with expedition and economy. IL VIII also
rr0hahIV mention the work for improved
state highways. But IN all this great care
will be taken not TO refer TO the last Dem
Ocratic administration OF the Engineering
Deps rtnent that of State Engineer Skene.
The labor plank will probably be much
along the lines Of those OF other wears, 2
though many new suggestions VIII be OF
fered to the COMMITTEES on resolutions. both
from organized labor and from employers
associations.