The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-21
NV ants Corrupt and I'm
proper Practices
Rooted Out.
SENDS MESSAGE
TO LEGISLATURE
People Dissatisfied With Party
Management, Which Subverts
Government to Greed Of Pol
iticians-Asks for Ample
Authority in Ferreting
Out of Wrongdoing.

Albany, n. d., June Ex-Governor
Hughes sent special message To
the Legislature whicn convened N
extraordinary session to-day, In which
he recommends the enactment of a
law making suitable provision for di-
rect nominations OF candidates for
public offices an amendment to the
resolution providing for an investiga-
tion into corrupt and improper prac-
tices i'm connection with Legislation
so as to give the committee ample
authority, and the consideration OF the
financial condition of the State and
the best means to provide additional
revenue. Governor hughes. in his
message, says in part:
II recommend for your consideration
the subject of the amendment of the
law relating to primaries, the making
of suitable provision for direct nomi-
nations OF candidates for public office.
and In connection herewith provision
for representative and responsible
party management
People Dissntished.
The people are dissatisfied with ex-
listing conditions and demand achange.
Whatever may be said of imperfec-
uons In the laws relating to this mat
ter In other jurisdictions, there can be
no question that the laws reflect a
wholesome sentiment which is coun-
try wide. and cannot be denied. That
sentiment is that the instrunentali-
ties of party management shall not be
SO arranged as to facilitate the pur-
poses OF those who would subvert gov
eminent to their selfish advantage.
we must safeguard the purity of
the ballot and protect our general
elections from violence and fraud. but
to secure the administration OF gov
ernmen, upon a SOUND basis, We must
insist not onlr upen proper methods
on election day, but a fair ard free op-
/ portuni,v within tine party on primary
day"
The rlsssss lays particular stress or
/ the Governors belief that the resolu-
tion for an inquiry into corrupt prac-
tices as adopted by the Legislature is
inadequate and unsasisfying and says
IL is important to the public interes,
! that the authority Of the Investigating
committee he enlarged
| TO Dislodge t;rafters,
! NO on. can favor the exploiting OF
| bsseless rumors or the suhiection OF
| the innocent to unjust and narrowing
| suspicion the message says In this
| regard hut, on the other hand, every
effort should be made TO disclose and
I III possible 10 punish those VINO nave
| perpetrated through legislative cor
ruption the greatest wrongs from
| which the State can suffer. RI is due
TO the people of the state that those
| who have betrayed their trus, or have
poisoned the springs OF the government,
should be uncovered and branded anc
| that whether or not this result cai
be attained, the adequacy of the meas.
ures taken to that end should be such
as to secure public confidence.
Il make this recommendation to this
end THAI nothing should be losr
through want of power or thorough,
ness. and believing that a proceeding
| conducted broadly and with directness
at this opportune time will not only
result in Improvement of methods with
respect TO legislative action and pro-
cedure but also protect the honor anc
dignity of officers of government who
in the main, in and out of the I4egis-
lature, are honorably striving to dt
their duty and who detest and desire
TO eradicate the corrupt and improper
practices of the law, by which the,
are involved in an unjust and common
| reproach"