New-York tribune., 1910-01-28
TO TONE UP PARTY
LEAGUE ORGANIZED.
Osborne Heads Neso Demo
cratic Body.
fHr rel.rr.nh 70 rhs rrihnne. !;

Albany, Jan. 27.-Permanent organiza-
fion of the Democratic League. which
came into being at Saratoga Springs last
summer, was effected at meeting of the
general committee here to-day by the
election Of Thomas Mott osborne. cf Au-
burn as chairman: Francis A. Willard, of
Utica, as secretary, end Colonel William
Gorharn Rice. OF Albany. as treasurer. In
q short speech thanking the committee for
this honor Mr.. Osborne took occa sion TO
declare that the purpose Of the league 70
tone Up the Democratic party was well
known, but that there was considerable
ruisapprehension in regard TO other things
which u would not do.
1T has been said that this league was
organized TO boom somebody for Governor
endssomebody else for state chairman, said
he My notion is that il should not be
en- organization 70 boom anybody for any
pfsce whatever. We want the best men
for al Offices, but the league ought not
20 he attached 20 the personal fortunes Of
anybody or support the candidacy OF any
body for eny Office.
Perhaps the feature Of the meeting to-
day was an attack by n. Cady Herrick on
the Republican organization in the As
eenbly for enaothering in the Ways and
Means COMMITTEES yesterday the resolution
az for en investigation into the cost Of liv-
ing
HERRIcK FAvoRs INQUIRY.
This was done on the ground that 1t
was e federal and not a state matter"
said he. THAT merely IS sinking the
states duty end throwing on the national
government things we should do ourselves.
70 state suffers more from the high cost
of living than New York Prosecutions of
The Milk Trust and the Beef Trust are good
things. but DO not get 20 the root of the
evil. There should be an investigation to
see whether the states resources remain
undeveloped while we look to the West for
beef, and Canada for bread. 1 suggest
that Mr.. Frisbie and this association con-
finue their efforts for an investigation. If
our friends the ms jority in the Legislature
are too busy cleaning their nests maybe
the Governor will appoint commission If
requested 10 do so which can investigate
and make a report on this important mat
fer before the Legislature adjourns."
s. Stsnweod Menken declared that the
rew tariff bill and the rnonopolies fostered
under II were held TO be responsible for
the increased cost Of living and offered a
resolution which was adopted favoring Mr..
FrisbIes efforts to have investigation.
All the proceedings to-day ran smoothly
rs if II were a Tammany convention with
THE machine fresh oiled.
REPORT ON LEGISLATION
Ex-JUstcs Herrick presented a report
from the committee on legislation favor
ins a direct primary Of a kind, ballot re-
form and strengthening amendments to the
corrupt practices act. The report was
adopted without a word Of dissent, al
though it developed after the meeting that
there was much opposition within the COM
mittee toward the kind of direct primary
outlined in the report. This provides for
direct primary within counties and for all
cffces 20 be voted for bv al voters of cities
save those Of more than one million inhabi-
tants. and for the direct election Of dele
gates 10 those conventions which ere to
be retained.
The report recommends p general per
sonaI enrolment but no provision is made
for an official primary ballot. Instead per
mission is given 20 anybody TO present 2
ballot with any names on It which he
chooses to place there without restriction
The ballot need only be Of white paper
three and one-half inches wide There is
no other limitation. Members Of the COM
nnittee declared this would lead 10 a multi
plicity ~ meaningless candidates., and in
stead Of fostering independence OF voting
chaos, out Of which the machine would he
certain 20 come on victorious
The bill recommended in the report nro-
rides that nominations for an Office to he
voted for by the people Of the entire state
IN yesr wnen the Governor of tho state
IS not elected, or 70 fill vacancies caused
by the death, declinstion or disauaIinca
ZION Of :. person named for office at 4 state
convention. shall be made by the state
committees of the respective parties unless
otherwise provided for by the rules and
regulations Of such parties; and that party
nominations for an office to be voted for
at special election shall be made in the
manner prescribed by the rules and reguIa-
tions Of the respective parties
CITY OF NEW YORK.
N regard 10 New York City the report
ssvz
We have provided that the election Of
ri the county committee shall be made ar
drecr primaries ia the city of New York
se vel q S elsewhere. but We have nor pro
Tioed for the nomination OF public off1cers
IN that city at direct primaries. because
the committee could find no consderabl Bile
sentiment there in IT'S favor, and also be-
cause they had in mind the strong oppo-
sition manifested 70 it's principle last wear
VINO ordinarily fs Vor everything that tends
n improvement in electoral 111ethoEe
or looks 70 the advancement of the puh1ic
good. II public sentiment in that cify
rhanges the act can be readily extended
ia the city OF New York
The report recommends the Endorsement
n principle at least. Of the bill presented