New-York tribune., 1913-11-27
independent Assemblymen
Ask "Receptive' Ones
Where They Stand.
OUERIES CONCERN
ELECTION REFORMS
State Finance and Rules of the
Assembly Itself Are Also
Included in List.

The speakership committee, appointed
., the conference of independent mem
,srs of the next Assembly, held at the
uotel Brevoort Monday, Of which Assem-
byman Sidney Clinton Crane .Rep) is
chairman, sent a letter yesterday to nine
o,eceptive" candidates for the speaker
shin. asking their attitude on direct pri-
maries. municipal home rule. revision of
the rules OF the Assembly, and other pro-
posed legislation.
The nine Assemblymen addressed were:
Harold J. Hinman Rep), lst Assem-
bly District. Albany County.
John lee Sullivan (Rep). I'd Assembly
District. Chautauqua County.
Clinton T. Horton (Rep), Cd Assembly
District, Erie County.
Alexander Macdonald Rep), Franklin
County.
Almeth ". Hoff Rep), 18th Assembly
District. Kings County
Francis r. Stoddard, jr.. (Rep), 18th
Assembly District. New York.
Michael Schaap ProgD, 31st Assembly
District, New York.
Thaddeus c. Sweet Rep), Oswego
County.
John knight CRep). Wyoming County.
The questions on which they were asked
10 state their opinions were the follow
ing:
Questions for Candidates.
I. Do you favor a state wide direct
primaries bill, which shall en-
brace the following features:
(a) Massachusetts, form Of ballot?
(b) Prohibition Of use of embems?
lei Abolition of the state eonven-
ton by providing for
(aa)Desisnating state commit
tee; or
(hbl Designation Of candidates
for state offices by petition
only?
(d) Election district as the primary
unit?
(e) Additional safeguards at pr-
maries?
IL For what direct primary bills
have you voted in Assembly?
2. Do you favor municipal home rule
with the following features:
(a) The uniform charter system,
providing several model forms Of
charter, including commission
and city manager plan, with priv
ileee to municipality TO adopt any
form by a referendum?
(b) Giving power to municipalities
to frame, adopt and amend their
own charters?
(c) Non interfere by the legis
Jature in strictly local matters,
such ss salaries Of municipal and
county employees, appointment,
term of office and powers Of Off
cials?
8. Do you favor the adoption Of the
BUDGET system in state finance?
4. Do you favor a revision Of the rules
Of the Assembly, to include:
(a) The abolition Of the Rules Com
nittee or a limitation Of it's pow
ers; and II Limitation, what iln1i-
taton?
(b) The election Of Committee on
Committees?
(c) Making the vote of each member
Of committee on every bill re-
ferred matter Of public record?
The names OF the prospective candi-
dates were informally discussed at the
conference Monday. which about fifty In
dependent members Of the next Assembly
attended. The conference was in no sense
caucus, being participated in by Repub-
lieans. Progressives and independent
Democrats. The majority were strongly
in favor Of an independent Republican for
the next speaker. and candidate without
Affiliations with the state leader, William
Barnes.
Hinman Known as Barnes Man.
lssemblyman Hinman Is known 10 be a
Barnes man, and on that account is not
expected TO be in the running when the
Prospective candidates are weeded out.
Assemblyman Stoddard will probably be
the candidate Of the Republican County