New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-04
DIX PRIMARY BILL BAD
Would Give Boss Element OF
Party Complete Control.
LEGISLATORS DISAPPOINTED
Fight by Anti Machine Faction
Almost Hopeless Before
Begun, 1t Is Said.
nv Telerrari, % The Trihure J


Albany. Nav S-Governor Dix's direct
nominations bill was introduced to-day by
aenator Ferris. OF Utica. and Assemblyman
1lauvelt Of Rockland County Having
nanv roeritorious features lacking IN the
ethe- Democratic direct nominations bills
Gov before the Legislature. It contains one
important feature. which would make 1t, In
TIE Judgment of legislators DESTROYS OF a
fair end lust direct nominations law, the
most dangerous measure offered for their
consideration.
Provisions relating 10 the official primary
ballot under this bill would give the boss
or machine" clement within any political
party almost absolute control Of any pri-
mary. \ night bya anti-boss faction against
the machine from the very nature OF me
law. would be almost hopeless before II was
begun The spirit Of fairness 10 all ele-
nlents in the party in the primary contest
and the right OF AL voters 10 express their
opinions unhampered and without handi-
Fps which underie the spirit OF the de-
nand for the direct primary. would be
completely subverted IL this bill should be-
come law as II stands now.
All this is brought about by peculiar
combination OF the party committee desig-
nation system advocated by Governor
Hughes with a primary ballot far worse
and more far-reaching in its badness than
t,e one in the bill Governor Hughes vetoed
when the Republican organization tried TO
faster I, on the state.
Straight" Voting Provided For.
This ballot gives a preferential position
70 the candidate for nomination designated
-. the machine element in the party. u
spp-opriates for the party committee
choice the party emblem. thus stamping
hin as the only Official party candidate, and
forcing al other candidates 10 appear as
opponents OF the party. II provides circle
a. the toy Of n, column, so that the
rartv committees men may be voted for
straight
rinallv. ID gives to the custodian Of pri-
mary records an Official who might often
he part If the machine" complete discre-
ton about the arrangement OF the other
columns on the ticket That means that If
he chose 70 manipulate the ballot he could
rIaca the "kickers" or "anti-machine' men
most dangerous 10 the boss ticket in the
place on tho ballot least advantageous 10
them. No candidate may nave his name
nomination or party position.
Instead OF being called a direct nomina-
lions bill remarked one legislator who has
studied !ts provisions. this bill should be
entitled an act 10 legalize, ratify and per
petuate boss control Of all party machinery
in the state Of New York.
In most respects this bill is much like the
two direct nominations bills advocated by
Governor Hughes. 1t recognizes the ne
cessity for an Official primary ballot, I'M
recognized hy the Wagner Smith and other
Democratic direct nominations bills, though
u meets that necessity so poorly.
State Convention Retained.
The bill provides for the direct nomination
OF all officers except those voted for by the
people Of the entire state. and town. ward
and school district officers. 1t calls for the
direct election a the primaries Of all MEM
bsrs OF party committees and OF delegates
70 the state convention, the only conven-
ton retained Ii provides for the placing
OF names Of candidates for nomination TO
Office and for election 10 party office on
the ballot tn Two ways-by designation Of
The PARTY committees and BY petition. The
-a~,v committees must meet not later than
rho dfth Tuesday before the primary and
make their designations. publicly and viva
vocc Bauo.inC must continue until some
candidate has q majority of the votes in
rhe committee. when he becomes the COM
mittee's choice
Designation Of the committees candidates
must he fled not earlier than the seventh
Tuesday and not later than the fourth
Tuesday before primary day. Primary day
Is 20 be the seventh Tuesday before the
general election. Candidates 10 go on the
ballot oy petition must file their petitions
not earlier shan the fourth Tuesday and
rot later than the third Tuesday before
the primary.
The state committee is 70 consist OF one
member from each Assembly district.
Members OF the county committee will
serve as members OF various other COM
r7Ittees within that unit. Vote in commit
tee VIII be on a proportional basis accord
,re 20 the vote for the partys candidate
for Governor al the last election cast in
he district represented. The bill does not
reouire personal registration throughout
tie state. but does require personal enroll
lnent everywhere. and makes personal en-
rolnent q requisite 20 voting al the party
primaries.
In z few days Senator Human will intro
cuce the direct nominations bill he fathered
las: year This already IS before the Legis-
latcre il slightly modified form under the
name q Assem5lyman Higgins. When that
is In there viii be az least FIVE brands OF
direct nominations bills for the legislators
10 choose from.
The Assembly judiciary Committee to-
night held q hearing on Assemblyman
Va-ren's bill That IS virtually the Hughes
measure Of last year. applying 10 all Offices
r. the state but without the committee
designation feature.
Gilbert E Roe and Joseph O. Hammitt.
o. the Citizens Union. and David ". Arm
strorg. OF the Progressive Republican Club.
OF New York city. spoke for H. Mr.. Arm
strong said IL was much better than any
other bin before the legislature, except
the Higgins measure. he called the new
DIX bill an "a domination