New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
BARNES PUZZLED BY
DIRECT PRIMARY LAW
Calls Republican State Com
mittee to Help Solve
Problem.
ROCHESTER'S CONVENTION
Meanwhile Method of Selecting
Delegates to Choose Presi-
dental Candidate Will
Be Decided On.

How are delegates to the national conven-
ton TO be chosen this spring? That was
G. the problem presented by William Barnes
jr. chairman, at the meeting OF the Re-
publican State Committee at the Republican
Club Yesterday noon. That the new So
called direct primary law passed by the
last Democratic Legislature was tremen-
dously puzzling on that point, and that ne
was all at sea, was frankly acknowledged
by the chairman.
Several members of the committee dis
cussed what they thought might be done
but il ended in a resolution empowering the
chairman to name a committee OF seven
TO consider the entire matter, Ito petition
the Legislature for some relief from the
law that will allow the great Republican
party to operate this spring, or il need be to
draw up amendments to that end
Chairman Barnes named himself as head
OF the committee and for other members
Samuel S. Koenig, president of the New
York County Committee: Abraham Gruber,
Of New York; Jacob A. Livingston, of
Kings: William l.. Ward, OF Westchester;
George w Aldridge, of Monroe, and Ed
win A. Merritt, jr., of st. Lawrence
Speaker Of the Assembly 1t will be noted
that this committee is made up of mem
hers Of the "old guard" with the eXcep-
tion OF Mr.. Keonig, so, whatever 1t may
do or suggest. it is probable that no change
will be sought which might make the direct
primary law more Of a popular measure
than IL is at present.
The spring state convention for the cleo
ton Of four delegates-at-large and four
alternates to the national convention was
fixed for Tuesday, April 3. at Rochester
1t was suggested yesterday morning that
April 5, informally chosen on Friday night,
was in Holy Week, so the convention was
thrown into the next week. II will be held
In Convention Hall, where the last two
Democratic state conventions have been
held
The state committee adjourned to meet at
the Powers Hotel, in Rochester, on the
night before the convention, unless sooner
called to meet by the chairman" Nicholas
Murray Butler, president OF Columbia Uni
yersity, was selected as temporary chair
man of the convention on motion OF Lloyd
G. Griscom.
Mr. Aldridge, who is more than pleased TO
have the convention in his home city, de-
clared that, within his recollection. this
would be the first spring convention in a
Presidential year to be held outside OF New
+ York City.
Only One Committeeman Absent.
william r. Daniels, of Buffalo, was the
only member of the committee who did
not answer to his name in person or by
proxy. Congressman Calder, of Kings, was
proxy for Alfred r. Vass. He said II was
the first meeting of the committee he had
ever attended. John j. Brown was proxy
for Mr.. Ward, OF Westchester; II. J.
Henry, for MacGregor A. Phillips. OF Low
vile; Layfette 3. Gleason. for Francis
Hendricks, of Syracuse; Assemblyman C.
W. Phillips, for George w. Dunn, of Bing-
hamton; II. H. Bender. for ]. Sloat Fas-
sett, Of Elmira; former Assemblyman Fred
erick Parker. for James w Wadsworth,
1r., and J. w. Hutchinson. for Frank r.
Utter, Of Friendship.
The discussion about the election of dele
gates to the national convention and OF
members OF the new state committee was
brought up by Chairman Barnes after rules
had been proposed. Apparently there are
three ways in which they might be chosen
under the present law: Candidates for dele
gates could be named by petition and placed
on the primary ballot, or such candidates
might ne placed on the primary ballot by
the designation OF the party committees, or
they might be chosen from each Congress
district by the delegates to the convention
from that district.
The situation Is particularly complicated
for the Republicans, because their state
committee is chosen according 10 Congress
districts, which have been increased In num-
Der and altered in contour. The Democratic
ge nag
tIict.
Are we TO have delegates to the national
convention placed on the primary ballot by
petition or by the organizations" asked
Chairman Barnes
Suggests Platform as Guide.
II would suggest that the direct primary
plank in the Republican platform OF 1910
would be a good guide" said Mr.. Koenig.
That should give us our clew TO interpret
this law"
The platform declared for the election OF
party officers by direct vote OF the people
THAT means that the delegates and mem
bers of the state committee should be elect
ed at the primary and not by the delegates
10 the state convention" said Mr.. Barnes.
'T don't see as il makes much difference"
Il acknowledge that the law is in bad
shape" said Mr. Koenig u think amend
ments that would make it clear will be In