New-York tribune., 1910-05-09
NOTHING TO FEAR.

There are substantial reasons fol-
doubling whether the nomination of AS
semblymen and Senators at direct pri-
maries would afford a fair test of the
Hinman-Green plan. If it is conceded
as it is conceded by all those who sup
port such a compromise, that the Hin
man-Green plan should be tested, why
should there be any hesitation in testing
il thoroughly and as a whole? Other
states have direct nominations systems
and have tried them for years, and GER
tainly without any such Untoward re-
suits as TO make Il appear a hazardous
experiment for New York to have test.
Nothing dire has happened in those other
states. They are reasonably well gov
erned. Their people are at least so well
satisfied that they do not purpose to re-
turn 10 the old system 4 commission
of the New York Legislature, hostile to
the direct system, travelled through
these states. and while it criticised the
system in many respects it found 10
grave consequences resulting from it such
as would deter another state from ex-
perimentiDg with If. In some states the
commission was even obliged to report
that the plan was working well
The faults which have been found in
direct primaries, even if we concede them
all TO be real and unavoidable faults, DO
not seem to us so grave that they should
deter any one who comedies that the sit
uation calls for an experiment with di-
rect nominations from voting for fair
test of the whole system. 1t is objected
by critics that rich men have an advan-
tage over poor men in securing nomina-
tions at direct primaries This charge is
built on one specific instance of a nomi-
nation and election to the Senate, and it
would be easy te parallel it with in
stances of rich men who owed the same
Office to their wealth in states which had
not direct nominations. Moreover, the
misuse Of money at primaries is prevent
able
Direct primaries bring demagogues to
the front, say those who are pleased to
view with alarm" The demagogues
who are pointed to as products Of the
system in almost every instance rose to
power and influence before their states
adopted the direct system, under the old
convention plan of making nominations.
Was demagogue never nominated for
Governor by the Democracy in this state,
and under the blessed convention system
which safeguards us against such evils?
''The direct primary system breaks down
party lines Post hoe ergo propter hoe.
Haven't party lines broken down to a
notable extent all over the country, ire
spective Of whether the states had or
had not the direct system of making
nominations? Where are party lines in
this city? If we had had direct nomi-
nations here the situation in the last two
municipal elections would have been
ascribed to them. Where have party
lines been in the New York Legislature
under the control of a bipartisan combi-
nation? Perhaps the party managers and
representatives who have treated party
lines as a fiction where their selfish in
terestS were concerned have taught the
voters TO treat party lines as a fiction
where good government was at stake.
IT favors the boss The bosses, never
theless, are all against it.
BY adhering to the convention system
states have not escaped bosses. or scan
dals regarding the use Of money in pro
curing an election to the Senate. or dem
agogues. or weakening of party lines.
Nor have any consequences of resorting
TO direct primaries been so grave as TO
justify any one who believes that the
system deserves a trial here from 1,o+ipo-
to give it thorough and complete trial.
Moreover the Hinman-Green plan avoids
many Of the defects in the direct system
as applied elsewhere