New-York tribune., 1911-09-01
DIX THREATENS A SPLIT
Governor Demands Primary Law
Despite Murphy's Stand.
PARTY is PLEDGED, HE SAYS
Writes to Editor About His Ell
forts to Get Legislation
Promised In Platform.

Albany. Aug. Ex-Governor Dix came OUT
to-day for a direct primary law, thereby
promising a split with Charles +. MURPHY
boss OF Tammany Hall. In the first session
Of the Legislature Murphy efectualiy
killed all efforts made by Dix TO fulhI the
party's pledges as 10 direct nomnauons'
Tammany votes defeated the warren Dill
in the Assembly. The same body set aslue
the amended Blauvelt measure. after the
Governor sen. a special message urging lts
adoption. In the Senate it met similar
fate
Should Dix stand by his assertion made
to-day in a letter TO the editor OF "Ihe
Albany Argus" there would be a hne
chance for real split in the legislative
majority. Politicians here tonight are
worried by the Governors new move and
are predicting that the adjourned session
after all may prove to be a lively one.
Murphys plans call for consideration only
Of the Congress reapportionment and the
New York City charter. With the direct
primary bill revived startling developments
are possible
Governor Dix's stand was outlined in this
letter:
State Of New York.
Executive Chamber, Albany,
Aug 30, 1911
To the Editor of The Argus. Albany. n. \.
Dear Sir In your issue of August 80 /
ind the following editorial statement:
There is but one really essential and
important thnG for the Legislature to 10
at its adjourned session on Wednesday
next. The proper reapportionment OF
Congress districts should be made and
H. Ii
such financial bills as are imperative and
usual acted upon. Nothing effective can
he done this year with other measures.
and they should be left TO the regular ses-
sion of next year when a democratic
majority viii he in control of both houses.
as II is now.
From this opinion 7 must emphsticaly
dissent, 70 this extent
proper reapnortionment of Congress
districts should be made, and in the max
ins Of II strict fairness should he observed.
Nothing should be undertaken which can
be fairly characterized as a ecrTymander
There is. however at least one other
question OF paramount importance Wnlcn
should ne acted upon sffirmatively at me
coming session of the legislature namely.
the enactment Of suitable direct nomins o.
In my message transmitted to the Jegis-
lature on July 1s last said
Direct nomination is not. and should
not he, a party question Al the poly
ca parties have declared in favor Of The
principle Of direct nomination Of party
candidates and OF members of party com
mittees by enrolled party voters The
Rochester platform pledged the Demo
cratic party 10 the principle Of state
wide direct primaries that viii insure TO
the people the right 10 choose members
Of political committees and nominate can
ddates FOR publict Office The Repuhli
can platform was Hardly less explicit
The duty of fulfilling these pledges n
the people should rest alike upon all mem
bers of the legislature, irrespective Of
he approached not in party spirit, but
with an eve single 70 serving the state
and 10 the improvement in political
Juethods and conditions which will in
eNitahlN follow the adoption OF a system
of nominations ard committee appoint
ments that will place directly in the
hands Of party voters the nomination Of
party candidates and the naming Of mem
bers Of party committees.
The people of the state have accepted
in good faith the declaration Of the po-
ltical parties, and especially the declara
tion of the Rochester convention tn mean
tion and operation, and insurins to party
voters the right 70 nominate practically
all candidates for elective Offices.
While an obligation rests upon both 20.
litlc7l parties to carry out platform,
pledges this Obligation rests primarily
upon the political majority; that is to say,
upon the Democratic members Of the
LEGISLATURE.
They stand duty bound to enact such
a measure as will satisfactorily meet the
demaKd Of public sentiment and Give op-
porturity to test the principle Of direct
nomination In actual practice.
The majority in the present House nj
Representatives AT Washington has been
widely commended throughout the country
because of its intelligent and effective steps
taken TO carry out all party pledges.
In every essential except as TO direct
nominations the pledges Of the Democratic
party, on which II reGaned control of the
state government last fall, have been ful-
filled
The fuflment of that pledge should no;
be eVoded or postponed Very truly YOURS
JOHN y. DIX.
Many upstate Democrats, it is believed
would back the Governor in his effort 10
make good the party pledges. They are
looking toward the November election and
wondering how 10 face their constituents
with the most important plank OF the
Rochester platform ignored entirely