New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-22
PRIMARY BILL A SULZER
MASK, CHARGES GRIFFIN
Democratic Leadership Real
Object of the Governors
Move. Declares Senator.

Sharn criticism OF various provisions OF
thc proposed statewide primaries ui'
ord tho direct accusation that II Is 'onIy
, stalking horse to give plausible excuse
n CRASH the leadership OF the Democratic
pattv." were features or an open ie''e'
IN Governor Sulzer which State Senator
Anthony ]. Griffin. OF the I'd D'stric'
gave out last night
Tho communication besides MAKING
frequent and caustic reference 10 inc
Governors arrogant attempt 10 usu'p
legislative functions" takes up In jetah
tho plan to designate party candidates
BY petition. the abolition of the emo'e'ns
on ballots. the reduction to per cent VI
the number Of party voters required OF
designating petition, and the abohuon oil
the state convention. The letter says III
part:
"The main. underlying purpose OF the
movement for direct primaries Is 20 give
the rank and fle their proper snare III
the government and control OF their
marty. You will observe that this funda-
mental idea contemplates. as CONDITION
precedent. the existence Of parues
It's design is not TO eliminate or Destroy
but 10 build and strengthen them Inc
chief objection TO your bill is that II
socns designed 10 cure the horse by kill
ing him
For instance. your bill provides In
effect that parties. as parties, VIII be
derived OF the right to designate candi-
dates. Your bill requires that even party
I,cfUnafa1 hF Dptl-
ton This is a useless innovation. De
cause if the party organization favors
certain candidate II can doubtless OBJ
tain signatures for a nomination petition
Your innovation simply throws an irri-
tating obstruction into the party ma
chlnerv. entailing expense and loss OF
time. without changing the result IN any
WAY. Instead Of purifying and ennooling
parties. II tends only 70 bring them into
discredit.
your next innovation is the abolition
or all emblems on the ballot. Direct pri-
mary advocates are by no means agreed
as 10 the wisdom Of this change. Inc
party emblem serves the double purpose
OF intimatlng TO the voter the party primer
ples Of the candidates and at the same
time enables the voter to register MS
choice expedtiously instead Of being COM
peIled 10 puzzle himself in dark election
booth over multitude or Candidates
whose names alone convey no notion OF
their principles. Furthermore. the party
emblem enables the illiterate voter TO ex-
press his choice.
"your next innovation is TO reduce the
number of party voters required on
designating petition 10 ! per cent rms
means that candidate for alderman may
n. on, ID BY ffty voters, candidate Tor
Assembly BIZ 100 voters and a candidate
for the Senate by 200 voters. The enect
Of this innovation will be to encourage
factions. Party principles will he lost
sight Of and the ambitious individual VINO
is able to get few names on pettioh
hung I'D IN a corner saloon VIII project
himself into the political field as can
ddate for Office
"Your next innovation is the abolition
~ the state convention. The advocates or
direct primaries are not by any means
agreed as 10 the wisdom OF TINS change'
"The first great reform that is needed
;s tho adoption of the election district as
a unit. This will Immediately correct the
evil Of the long ballot. against which so
much complaint has been made. II Will
also restore 10 the rank and file their
right TO participate in party organization.
III your own statement Is true you
are not lighting for principle, but for
particular bill This is an absurd posi-
lion for YOU to assume. and you cannot
honestly hope 10 defend IT long against
the sober common sense and keen dis
elimination OF our intelligent American
citizenship. OF course, they will sooner
or later discern that your bill is only
stalking horse to give YOU plausible ex-
cuse TO grasp the leadership of the Demo-
cratic party"