The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-03-28

in the situation developed in the city OF
New York. In order TO avoid any question
in case 1t Is deemed advisable to hold new
election IL will be necessary to amend the
statute 80 as to permit the court or Justice
thereof to 10 order II the facts disclosed
warrant such a remedy
Armed with this opinion. Senator Still
well introduced n bill authorizing the
Supreme Court TO order new primary
election. and he asked that the bill be ad-
vaDced to third reading without refer
ence. Senator Bracket. leader OF the
Republican minority, objected and the
bill was sent to a committee.
This is no time to pass such an i'm,
portant piece OF legislation. insisted
Senator Brackett.
Chairman Barnes Of the Republican
in the afternoon and after comforting with
Senator Brackett and other Republicans
issued this statement:
Section ri Of the election law governs
distinctly the failure Of a printe. to produce
ballots by providing for the use OF unofficial
ballots. so that ample opportunity was
Afforded the various candidates TO supply
the deficiency Of the printer. This pro-
vision of the law absolutely establishes the
elect ion OF those who received a plurality
Of the votes cast and there is no power In
the Legislature or In the courts Of the state
to take away from the candidatesso elected
the rights which they secured at the pri-
mary
Suggestion that another primary be held
therefore capnot possibly have any meaning,
because II can have no legal standing.
Returns Indicate that nearly 200. 900 Re-
publicans voted at the primaries. although
In most districts no opposition candidates
were nominated.
1t is not expected the appeals Of the
Roosevelt men will receive any further
consideration in Albany.
Gov. Dix sent this message to the Legis
lature at noon:
FOR many years there has been a
constant and steadily growing demand
by the people Of this State for an eff
cient law which will enable the enrolled
members OF political parties to directly
nominate party candidates for public
office and to elect members OF party
+, committees.
| and insistent that the Democratic and
! Republican parties inserted in their re-
spective platforms in 1910 planks ad-
vocating and solemnly promising the
enactment of legislation In fulfilment
| OF the principle Of direct nominations
| During the legislative session of
1911. when both branches Of the Legis-
lature We're controlled by the Demo-
cratic party. there was\passed a direct
primary bill which, though not perfect
| nor as complete as might be desired,
was nevertheless the frst act Of Its
kind to be placed upon the statute
books Of this State and was pro-
nounced step In the right direction.
THE direct primary principle having
| thus been enacted into law. a founda-
tlon was created upon which perfected
structure could be built by the method
| OF amendment
| amendments to the law enacted dur
ing the session OF 1911 have been found
desirable. and undoubtedly as time pro-
crosses further amendments will be-
come necessary to comply with chang
ing sentiment or conditions. 1t Is safe
to predict that never again will the
voters of this State return to the meth
ods which obtained prior to the enact
ment Of this law.
Every member Of the Legislature
Irrespective OF party. and every State
officer elected in 1910 In equally bound
by the promises made to the people In
their platforms. and no. question OF
party policy. prejudice or expediency
can he raised In Justification Of opposi-
tlon or failure to act In helping to per-
feet the structure OF the direct primary
law by the enactment OF necessary
amendments at this session.
II therefore call upon the Legislature
to complete at this session such neces-
sary changes In the law as I have al
ready indicated in order that the people
may be justified In the confidence they
have reposed in their representatives by
lelecting them to public office.
Good faith, no less than the cause OF
good government, requires the fulfil
ment OF every pledge and promise tc
enlarge the scope and promote the effi-
cheney OF the law governing nominations
Of candidates for public office and the
election Of members of party commit
tees JOHN A. DIX"