Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-01
Progress and Reaction.

Same Of the big men here fear the sit
uation will affect the congressional cleo
lions too and enter the realm OF ma
tionai politics. In a measure the I'M
pending contest is between progressive
ness and reaction Unquestionably Gov.
Hughes and Col. Roosevelt are standing
for progressivenesS, and no one can deny
that the men Who are defeating tneir
plans represent the old reactionary, ultra
conservative element In the repuDHcdn
party in the state.
II is the hope OF the big men of the
party that the legislature will reconsider
its intention to adjourn with its open de-
fance Of the governors wishes. Tney
say that that il the legislature does ad-
journ it should be called together again
at once. and the recalcitrant republican
chiefs placed in the attitude OF truant
schoolboys summoned back to their
tasks BY their master.
The situation, as il Is presented TINS
morning. is intolerable and must be
amt tnded. the leaders here say: ii cannot
ne left in this shape or defeat In Novem-
Der Is as certain as the sun rises on cleo
ton day. Compromise and notification
must be reached. and the next few days
will witness earnest efforts in that direc-
ton.
sinister feature of last nights work
AZ Albany was the refusal of some OF tne
republicans to go into caucus. Ihat is
thing else the dangerous character of the
split IN the republican ranks and the
state OF feeling existing.
II was the forlorn hope of the leaders
here that the caucus might bring further
compromise. Refusal even to consider
compromise to the extent of entering a
caucus was very disappointing.
Opposition to the Primaries.
Two reasons are assigned for last
nights action of the assembly at Albany
FIRST. the unwillingness of the upstate
petty bosses TO accede 10 any plan for
olrect nominations: second. resentment
toward Hughes and the desire To be en-
uFeiy free from suggestion on the part
of the federal crowd" meaning the
Iaft-Root-congressiona outfit.
me aforementioned cause is thoroughly
lahiiiaF The petty bosses. each with
complete sovereignty over a small dis
uic'. comprising one or more counties or
cilS. maintain their sway through domi-
Ae.lon OF county and state conventions.
=. ihey would lose their hold, they fear.
- system of primary nominations were
Installed The expense of perpetuating
thelr power would be vastly increased.
ano they would be reduced TO sore straits
hder the old regime. the bosses would
70 70 state convention with their dele
eates back of them. and on the broad ve-
ashuas of a hotel at Saratoga, in one
oI tne cottages. would swap and dicker
sIa snd desl over candidates and distribu-
uon Of spOls
,Iov- Hughes has sought to break up
@ .nd' system by the method of primaries
a aH0 direct nominations. When he found
H., impossible to suppress the entire po-
Ndi structure. he offered to compromise
-, ~ having direct nominations for legisla-
- congressional and county candidates.
Nnl state convention to distribute the
snne s"l'aidates geographically for state Of
men the objection was raised that the
S,eh &c, would not work well in New York
~ because il would prevent fusion on
city tickets with the various inde-
pehoent elements in Manhattan. Where
e apoii the governor said: "Al1 right. ex-
s.ipt Greater New York in the mayOralty
1npalsns every four years."
put mat did not suit the petty CHIEF
,' !s' because very often their deals IN
Estate Offices involve city considerations
sking their cue from Speaker Wads-
s,,,m and William Barnes. jr.. they
Aiehed the whole pan Of fat into the hre.
Resentful Toward Hughes.