New-York tribune., 1910-02-22
PRIMARY REPORT In
AGAINST DIRECT NON =
IN1TIONS.
Bill Designed to Patch Up
Present Ldzcs Prepared by
Special Committee.
rRy Telegraph to The Tribune

lRy Telegraph to Inc IrlhuHe-I
Albany. Feb. 21-Accompanied by a
bill designed to patch up the weak places
in the present primary laws, the report
of the special legislative committee
which investigated direct primaries IN
several states was presented Tonight.
This report was signed by Senator'S
George L. Meade and James A Emerson
and Assemblyrnen Jesse S. Phillips, Rob
ert 6. Conklin. Frank l.. Howard, Julian
Scott and James f. Fay. 1t was drafted
by ex-Judge Walter II. Knapp. OF can
andaigua, counsel to the committee
Thereby hangs an interesting story
The report in its present form Is dis-
tinctlv and vigorously against the direct
primary Principle, although the COM
rnittee is forced to cOnCede that the Vot-
ers of some states Visited-perhaps pe-
cause of besotted ignorance-are per-
rectIv satisfied with the results of that
system But the report. as dra1ten oS
Judge Knapp and handed to the conf
mittee, was so vehement in its expires
sions and so biassed in its conclusions
that the committee has spent its odo
moments for the last two weeks III 'oi-
ing down its counsel's work.
It must he remembered in this connec-
tion that the committee itse- ls not
made I'D of friends Of the direct pri-
mary. Each member voted against the
Hinnan- Green bill last year. They were
hardly prepared. though, to back up
Judge Knapp. The lawyer was CloSe
nersonaI friend of the late John Raines,
and his political associate for many
wears. He had all the Senate leader
bias against the direct primary. and theh
como This was so nOticea BILE a the
first hearing in Boston that one of the
members later said;'"H questions were
so phrased that a couple OF us took UP
the examination of certain witnesses
ourselves, simply to save our faces"
The recommendation of the commit
tee follow:
First-Th2t a uniform primary day.
not earlier than September l, except in
Presidential years. when it shall not he
earlier than April l, be established
throughout the state.
Second-That a joint primary election
for all partieS be held at the regular Vot-
ing places: be presided over by the reg
uIar election officers; be kept open not
less than five hours. and governed by al
the provisions of the election law relat-
ing to Election Day. 50 far as the same
may be applicable
Third-That all political parties, rec
oeniZed as such by the general election
law. be subject TO the law.
Fo,rth-That there be an enrolment
of party voters throughout the state.
such enrolment to be made at the time
of registration where personal regiStra-
i-al nd 6D 10 6aI nf
eral election or on registration day,
where personal registration is not re-
quired.
Fifth-That All official primary ballot
be printed for each party at public ,x-
pense upon which shall be placed the
names of delegates to all conventions,
appropriately designated and so ar-
ranged that the party voter may vote
for groups of delegates, or for any of the
delegates according to his choice-ir
other words, d straight" or split"
ticket
Sixth-That party. county, town and
ward committeeman be elected by Ill
rect vote at the primary.
Seventh-That the names of all candi
dates for delegates to conventions ana
committeeman be filed with appropriate
officers a reasona BILE length of time be
fore primary day
Fighth-That all so-called intermediate
conventions for electing of delegates to
other conventions be abolished
Ninth-That the date for holding po-
litical conventions after said primary
day he fixed by statute and the pro
cedure therein be also governed by law:
that all delegates elected TO sit in con-
vention and armed with certificate is
sued by the custodian or the primary
records To that effect shall be secure
in their seats: that contesting delega-
tions be heard by justice of the Su-
preme Court or county judge of the
county in which the convention is held.
Tenth-That all voting in conventions
by ballot be abolished and that upon
call OF the roll each delegate he required
10 express openly his choice with respect
TO the various nominations. but state
conventions may vote by counties II no
objection Is made in the convention
EleVenth-That the number OF dele
gates to the several conventions be fixed
by party rule, and that the unit of rep
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