New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-24

II the petition To- the Legislature pre-
scented 10y Seth Low and other well
known citizens with reference TO the
Hinman-Green bill helps TO bring that
measure out on the floor for discussion.
for amendment. If need be, and for a
vote. IL will have served a useful pur-
pose 10 the party and 10 the state. The
petition does not go beyond the truth
iB saying that nothing else than a vote
upon the bill as il stands will meet leg
islative obligations. Neither will any
thing else meet popular demands and
party necessities.
The Governors plan Of direct nomina-
tionS has been before the public for
more than year. 1t Is a carefully
thought out and consistent scheme for
a reform which I'm its essentials the peO-
pie want and are bound TO have. If
anybody can propose a better bin 10
meet the needs Of the situation. the
chance is open FIR him. II the Human
Green bill has defects which conStruc-
tive criticism can remove the proponents
Of the measure wish them pointed out.
Neither the Governor nor any Of his
friends has taken the position that this
bin must be blindly accepted. All they
have asked is that il should not be
stranCled in the dark or mutilated under
cover. They have declined 10 go behind
closed doors 10 fix up a deal Of give and
take with regard 10 its provisions. but
insist. and rightly insist. that this
measure or any other measure offered
Of
be debated in the open on its merits nv
men ready. 10 take the responsibility
before their constituents for their opin-
ions: that amendments to ii be pro-
posed under similar conditions. and that
the measure be put in form and finally
voted on by legislators openly acting i'm
their representative capacity with cor
responding responsibility 10 their con-
stituentS.
1t may well be that the Human
Green bin in its present form can be inn
proved. and the way to improve it is
10y open discussion and by open voting
Oh the amendments. The objections 80
the bin made by Mr. Low and his asso-
ciates are entitled to careful considera-
ton. Though they come from men who
have not been recognized rs Sharers Of
the Governors views on direct nomina-
tons. they are offered, we are con
WINGED. I'm no spirit Of hostility TO the
Governor While not prepared to go 50
far as the Governor these men are de-
sirous 10 see progressive policies pre-
vail, and hope 10 find a middle ground,
not for secret compromises but for fair
open agreement. after discussion. on a
bin containing the essentials Of the re-
forms demanded.
The notifications which they ask m
the Hinman-Green bill are in some re-
spects more radical than those which
fits organization opponents have sought.
The call for more liberal and practical
provisions as 10 fusion appears 10 us to
be well founded. The other objections
do not impress us seriously. least Of all
the argument that popularity constituted
committees would. when n year old. be
so out Of touch with their constituents
rs to make their nominations unrepre-
sentative. They certainly could not De
less representative than delegates. no
matter when selected, who are abso-
lutely the creatures Of self-perpetuatinC
bosses and who respond TO public senti-
ment just I'm the measure that the bosses
can be made responsive 10 that senti-
ment.
But whatever be the merits OF these
or any other suggestions, the important
thing is 10 have them considered i'm the
open and have the whole subject
thrashed cut 10 a settlement on its mer-
its by men responsible for their acts
before people who are ready to give
due respect 10 honest differences Of
opinion, but who viii not tolerate the
defeat or emasculation Of this reform
by parliamentary triclerp and commit
tee manipulation.