New-York tribune., 1911-10-02

/ of men Of the ability and strength of
Charles E Hughes and Theodore Roose-
welt. was brought to pass in Democratic
times by John A. Dix, for strange as it
may seem, Governor Dix. ordinarily any
thing but firm in opposition TO Tam
many, and not credited with any strong.
earnest belief In the merits and value of
direct nominations, brought the situa-
tion 10 a head
The Governor who al the beginning Of
his administration announced he would
rot interfere with legislative affairs.
called the legislative leaders to him and.
shouting and pounding his first on his
desk, threatened that he'd call an extra
session IL they didn't act favorably on
direct nominations legislation. Under
the circumstances ii was a direct threat
Yet now that Tammany has surren-
dered the Democrats are rather glad the
Governor took that course.
The passage of the direct nominations
bill will be- blazoned forth by them as
the last and final act Of keeping faith
with the people. To be sure, when the
bill is passed, if the present plans are
followed. it Will be a modified form OF
Governor Hughes's own Republican"
bin and Senator Hinman. who handled
the Hughes legislation. will have had an
important part i'm drafting IT, Repub-
liCans like Hnman. Hamilton and New
comb. m the Senate. and Ward and
Higgins. IN the Assembly, will have cap
tanned the victorious fight. Yet with
them viii have served young Democrats
like Senators SAKE, TO whom should go
much OF the credit for the bill. and
Roosevelt and Assemblvmen Warren
and Ashton Parker. striving 70 forget
criticism Of their votes in favor Of the
Tammany charter. and Chanler, Walter
Herrick and many Of the insurgents
VINO had been elected on direct nomina-
tons pledges. II was q non partisan ac-
tfor. as Governor Dix finally had urged.
The Situation at Albany.
The situation tonight Is this. The
Senate hae passed one bill. the Assem-
blT early this morning passed another
not greatly dissimiar The Legislature
stands /, recess until Tuesday night
Governor Dix has the promise Of the
leaders that the Assembly bill will be
perfected and passed in the Senate and
the Assembly concur iu the changes on
Wednesday
The Democratic leaders saw that the
organization viii stand with the Gov
trnor ON his matter. and intimate that
Murphy himself viii see to IL that all
the Democratic votes are delivered for
the bill finally evolved. It was after re-
peated telephone talks with Murphy and
other important Democrats early this
morning that the agreement with the
Governor was effected. and AT Smith
announced in open Assembly. Within
four hours I've become an advocate Of
direct primaries Maybe 7 did so be
cause 7 had TO. But, never mind. did
so"
Conference committees 10 represent
the two houses will be appointed on
Tuesday night They viii reconcile the
differences in the bills passed by the
Senate and Assembly. The Senates bill
is the Hinman- Green bill. advocated by
Governor Hughes. save that it has been
changed TO retain the state convention,
and the primary ballot will have the
form Of the ballot used on Election Day,
instead of the Massachusetts ballot
The Assemblv's measure is the bill
originally introduced 10y Senator Ferris
and Assemblvman Elauvelt. II was
drawn hy "a group of Democrats. which
included William Church Osborn, Gov
.rnor Dix's counsel and was known
when frst presented as the Dix admin
istration measure" Il was based on the
Green bin. it's machinery for
making nominations being practically
the same. save for two OF three i'm
rortant features. II applies TO all elect
I've officials save state officers. The ball
lot Is very like that now III the bill
passed by the Senate. It is not con-
-idered an ideal ballot by direct nomina-
tions men. and this bill has a feature
which renders it's ballot still less de-
sirabe in their opinion. as it permits
candidates for the various party com
mittees TO DE voted for in a block in
stead of separately.
Hinran to Aid in the Work
This bin requires a petition FOR inde-
rendea, nominations 10 be signed by >
per cent of the voters i'm the district,
which some direct nominations men
think too high. They protest, too.
against the permission granted by the
bin for the use Of party campaign funds
for the organization candidates at the
primaries They mold this improper, as
the partys funds thus would be applied
To- defeat Independent. members OF the
rartv striving for nomination against
the machines candidates All these
points viii be taken up by a group Of
Republicans ana Democrats, including
Senator Hiuman. at the express request
of senator Grady The indications are
that the perfected bill. while not all
ardent direct nominations advocates
coulG desire. VIII be much better than
they expected 20 get
Senator Grady this morning gave his
assurance 10 group Of Republicans.
which included Senators Hinman. Rose
and Newcomb, that nothing save direct
nominations legislation would be touched
This week. That was 70 reassure them
1asr 1Lc New York charter be revlveA
Albany. oct. The fight Tor the passage
M a direct nominations bill by the Legs
- ..... s,oure and was not