The Penn's Grove record., 1910-06-24
HUGHES ASKS ACTION
ON THREE SUBJECTS
Sends Message on Primaries,
Graft and State Finances.
LEGISLATURE MEETS AT ALBANY
Leaders Surprised to Be Asked to Re-
new Consideration of Corruption
Charges - Direct Nominations
and OtherSafeguards Demanded.

anu OVllCk
Albany, N. Y.-Under the procla-
nation issued by Governor Hughes
on the day the regular session ad-
journed, the Legislature met again IN
a sweltering midsummer heat. From
the talk about the legislative pre-
cincts after both houses had convened
it was obvious that the legislators
were a good deal hotter than the
weather.
When both houses had gone into
session and had sent the customary
committee to notify the Chief Execu-
tive that the Legislature was ready
to transact business, the Governor
sent by the hand of his secretary,
Robert H. Fuller, a 7000-word mes
sage, which increased the tempera-
ture under the collars of the lawmak-
ers several degrees. They had come
here with the expectation of consider
ing only the Governors direct pri-
mary plan, and were prepared to
make short work of this and then
hurry back home. Instead the Gov
ernor submitted three distinct propo-
sitions. These were:
Amendments to the primary law,
providing for direct nominations and
for other safeguards for both primary
and general elections.
Amendments to the graft investi-
CATION resolution adopted at the regu-
lar session, providing the proposed
committee with more ample powers
for the investigation of corrupt and
improper practices in the Legislature
and the State departments.
Consideration of the State finances
with a view to providing means OF
additional revenue to meet the grow
ing expenses of the administration.
The renewal by Governor Hughes
of his recommendation for the pass
age of a Direct Nominations bill did
not create half the stir hat did his
recommendation for making the pro-
posed investigation of legislative
graft more thorough and sweeping.
The effect of his renewed recommen-
dations on direct nominations had
been discounted by the certain knowl-
edge that the extra session would be
directed to take it up, and the Gov
ernor, besides, with considerable mod
Grafton indicates his willingness to
accept a compromise, though he
makes it clear thathe has not changed
his views on the advisability of its
Statewide application.
On the other hand a majority of
the machine members in both houses
had hoped that after the bitter fight
wei the graft resolutions at the regu-
lar session the Governor would per-
NIT the matter to lapse into oblivion.
Instead, the Governor, through his
message, which is certain to aus
considerable comment throughout the
State, has again turned the limelight
on the sore spot which the bosses
gladly would hide from the public
gaze until an ample coat of white
wash can be applied by a committee
thoroughly reliable from the bosses
point of view.
The Governor points out in his
message the defects in the Assembly
form of the resolution which was
finally accepted by the Senate. The
clause providing for the consideration
of charges only after they have been
been verified con knowledge" the
pro DIVISION giving any person charged
with misconduct the right to<be rep
resented by counsel with power to
cross-exanine witnesses and that linn
iting the power of the proposed COM
mittee to consideration of charges of
misconduct against candidates for
office, only if they are filed prior to
September 1, the Governor points out,
would seriously hamper any real in
vestigation.
This recommendation was well
coined by many of the Governors
friends. Through the emasculation
of the resolution it is known that
Lieutenant-Governor White has had
no end of trouble in his search for
members to appoint who would COM
mand the confidence of the public
generally.