The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-09-28
DIX FOR DIRECT PRIMARIES
SENDS 4 SPECIAL MESSAGE TO
THE LEGFSLATCRE.
He Repeats what He said on the Subj ect
In His Message Of July ~. and says
the Party Is Pledged to statewide
system OF Direct Primary Nominations

the Party Is Pledged to statewide
| system OF Direct Primary Nominations
| ALBANY, Sept. 27.-Gov. Dix sent the
following message TO the Legislature
to-day I'm regard to direct nominations:
ITO THE LEGISLATURE: A sense OF
public duty and realization Of a personal
| obligation to the people of the State
impel me to again ask the attention of
your honorable body to the Importance
Of enacting at this session q direct nomi-
nation bill which in good faith will meet
the expectation and demand Of the citi-
zens of the State. irrespective Of political
afiliation."
That there may be no misunderstand-
ing of his position as Chief Executive. he
reiterates the statements containeH in
the message on this subject to the Legis-
lature on July Is last and in conclusion
says:
Urinary reform and direct nomina-
tions constituted one OF the underlying
issues oi the last State election The Demo-
cratic party promised a statewide sys-
TEN of direct primary nominations. Upon
"A comprehensive and unambiguous pledge
the party elected a majority OF both
branches of the Legislature. The people
have "A right to demand that the pledge
! made by tho party convention and by
indivi idual candidates for the Legislature
shall be fully redeemed. failure to keep
faith with the people must he regarded
as betrayal of the voters OF the State;
while legislator elected on a direct nomi-
nation platform. whether Democrat or
Republican, who wItnholds his support
from an adequate and honest direct nomi-
nation bill Will be open to the charge of
repudiating a public duty and personal
and political obligation. and 10 this charge
no explanation can bc offered and no de-
fence framed.
An honest statewide system of direct
nominations will render party organiza-
tion responsible to the party membership
and thereby make representative govern
ment representative III fact as we'll as in
system self-government cannot be fully
estab ished until the people themselves
are given the power to nominate Candi-
dates for elective offices.
The majority party is under peculiar
obligation TO give to the State a complete
measure of direct nominations There
was no ambiguity or reservation in the
promise and pledge upon which the Demo-
cratic party was entrusted with control
Of the entire state government. The
party will was expressed in the party
platform. II was confirmed and indorsed
NV I''llN' no" lHe
solemn duty upon party representatives
IN the Legislature to redeem the party
promise and obligation.
The time has pGss-d 10 question the
wisdom of direct nominations. Al the
last state election aii political parties
entered into a contract with the people.
The people expect that the contract
will be carried out to the letter. This
just expectation cannot he met by the
enactment of a half way measure that
in effect will he repudation of the sys-
TEN OF statewide direct nominations
promised during the campaign The
peorie Of the State have decreed their
demand that the legsa.urc shall enact
and the Governor sign law which will
establish system of statewide direct
nominations that will place in the hands of
the voters complete control of party COM
mltiees and party nominations. In no
other way can the people obtain and
maintain control of their Government
Again repeat my hope and expecta-
ton that. without reference to party
divisions or political affiliations the
Legislature AT its present session will
enact Il measure of direct nominations
and primary reform which will meet the
reasonable and righteous demand of the
people of the State of New York.
The Senate Judiciary Committee met
tonight 10 consider the Governors mes
sage on direct primaries. 1t was decided
not to report any of the direct primary
bills in the committee. but to let the mem.
bers introducing these bills move in the
open Senate to discharge the COMMITTEES,
so that each particular bill maycome before
the Senate,