Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-11
Democracy's Stronghold Rebuffs
Efforts to Secure Geran
Bill Endorsement.
EXECUTIVES LEADERSHIP
IS FIRMLY TURNED DOWN
Joint Conference Insists Upon
Many Changes in Proposed
Election Measure.

An impressive rebuff was given to
the Geran bill here last night. 1t came
as the result of a conference held at
the headquarters of the Robert Davis
Association between the members Of
the Hudson Democratic Executive Com
n1ittee and the Hudson Assembly dele
cation
The conference was called for the
purpose of taking such action with re-
spect to the bill as the best interests
OF the party would seem to require.
To Hudson county is generally con-
ceded the right to have a large voice
In the policy of the Democratic party.
1t is the stronghold of that party.
AS the Geran bill is said to contain
provisions detrimental to the party's
welfare. it was resolved that warning
OF the danger should be given.
Refuse to Follow Leadership.
Assemblyman Donnelly introduced a
resolution, indorsing the leadership OF
Governor Wilson and pledging the sup
port of the delegation to the four
measures known as the primary bill,
corrupt practise act, public utilities
and employers liability.
The resolution was quietly and firm
ly. voted down, the vote being unani
NOUS Even the introducer joined
therein.
The conferrees then proceeded to
the adoption of certain amendments
to the bill. 1t was finally resolved that
the Hudson delegation should oppose
the bill as it came from the steering
committee, the members being instruct
ed to insist upon the following changes:
1. Appointment of election officers
without civil service examination. The
procedure to be their designation by
the district county committeeman, and
their appointment by the chairman of
the county committee through notifica-
ton to the County Board of Elections.
I 2. The use of party ballot, such as
is in use In New York Unalteraple OPP
position was pledged to the proposed
blanket ballot.
g. Opposition to the election of chair
man of county committee at the pri-
mary.
L. Opposition to the provision in the
bill which now allows fifty voters to
nominate an entire ticket in any NUM-
cipality.
s. Dissent from the provision requir-
ing personal registration in cities of
thirty thousand and over.
other Features Objectionable.
Other features of the bill were OBJ
jected to, notably the provisions with
respect to the PRONUNCIATION of a party
platform by the governor and a few
candidates, and the other provisions
directing the procedure in the matter
of delegates to national conventions.
No decisive stand was taken upon this
latter provision, as 1t is believed here
that even the governor will not give 1t
support when the test comes.
An amusing incident is related in
connection with the conference. Private
Secretary Tumulty undertook, SO the
story goes, to so cop+~~' the conference
that full support of the governors at
titude with respect to the bill would
be given.
To accomplish this he arranged to
have Speaker Kenny brought to the
meeting place in an automobile. An
other assemblyman was hustled out OF
bed of sickness and required to be
present.
Thus fortified, the resolution with
respect to his chief was sprung. It's
tragic fate is said to have caused the
private secretary to experience some
misgivings as to his ability as a leader.