New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-06

The big ballroom of the Waldorf was
crowded when Senator Root called the
conference to order at p. m. Dele
cations from the Woman's Suffrage
party Of the state and the state anti
suffrage organizations occupied several
OF the boxes. The suffragettes made a
demonstration, supported by many
members of the conference, when Mr..
Barnes, in his brief speech, referred TO
the suffrage plank adopted at the Re-
publican state convention. Mrs. Blatcn
submitted to the conference a proposed
amendment to the existing election
laws which, if adopted. would allow
women watchers and challengers at the
polls when the projected constitutional
amendment enfranchising them is pre-
scented to the electorate for action.
Senator Roots Speech.
Seth Low moved that Senator Root be
made permanent chairman OF the confer
ance, and the motion was carried In his
opening address Senator Root strongly
advocated the five progressive measures
which he said were to come before the
ccnferrees for discussion. They included
direct primaries; workmen's compensation
Compulsory but retaining the state in
surance feature; drastic revision OF the
rules of the Assembly; the short ballot,
without reference to the Massachusetts
ballot in form, and a state budget.
Gentlemen" said Senator Root in OPEN
ing, lit is manifest that no one here has
any credentials This is a Republican
mass meeting and every Republican has
right to enter. This conference has been
called to discuss certain changes in view
Of certain disturbing happenings of the
past and toward a change in conditions
it was deemed best II at we get together
and re-orient the party. The first thing
of Importance is that our party should
have an affirmative and progressive pro-
gramme which will appeal to all the peo-
pie. Secondly, the party must have the
strength and efficiency Of organization TO
put this programme into effect. What is
needed 10 gain this strength is solidarity;
not personal or individual ambitions but
a union of all Republicans who believe in
the platform. We must have a free eX-
preston of opinion by every member of
the party. When there is no opportunity
for such free expression the only remedy
Is revolution. This is the situation which
makes revolution respectable in Mexico"
He said 1t was not the purpose OF the
conference to discuss the Speakership.
That would be taken up by the Assembly
men, who would give the matter thought
and elaboration he said. and every man
h. f,,S1 h.
ton on the Speakership should go in 10
vote, uncommitted and uncontrolled. Sen
ator Root said that he knew, when the
Speaker had been selected, the majority
of the Republicans would accept the YER
dict.
The chairman outlined the five ques-
tions to come before the conference, and
discussed them In some detail. He was
in favor of them all, he declared. The
rules of the Assembly should be changed
so as TO prevent the smothering of legis-
lation in committees and a state fiscal
system should be established which
would do away with the present bad and
inadequate method. He declared that the
adoption of the short ballot would FIX the
needed responsibility In public office and
would bring real reform. Referring TO
direct primaries, he said:
Pleads for Real Primary Bill.
I'VE have been conducting our parties
under a bad old system which we will
have to get away from. and will do so.
That think, is the general opinion, and
/ am sure we will drop the old system
and adopt the new. For heavens sake
give us a primary bill that is real, and
not a sham like the last Democratic bill.
Give us a real bill for direct primaries
and you will be doing much toward prog
ress There are some of us here, and
am one of them who all through life
have deemed the Republican party the
greatest instrument of good government
in the country. II We can do something
TO make the people see that the party is
one of ideals, principles, OF progress and
LOYALTY, this meeting will have accom-
plished something"
Senator Roots remarks were enthusi-
astically applauded. His earnest ad-
vocacy of the various measures to be dis
cussed was greeted with loud applause
Serene Z. Payne read the subjects to
come before the Assembly and then called
upon William Barnes for a few remarks
Mr.. Barnes was greeted WIN dpplduSt
He outlined the work OF the state COM
mittee, and reviewed the fundamental
principles incorporated I'm the Republican
platform at the state conventions Of re-
cent years.
THE present question before the party
is not one Of rehabilitation" he said,
but a question of future legislation. The
immediate future is In the hands of the
Assemblymen we have elected to the
Legislature. The question Is, what are
they going TO do with the powers they
possess? There is a campaign for the
election Of a Governor and a United
States Senator next fall. and ! hope tho
noble and patriotic man presiding here
will represent us again, and the success
OF that campaign depends upon what the
legislators may do. We must appeal 10
all the people. and not only show them
that we are right. but that we are At 10
govern"
Compensation Law Urged.
A. Perry Osborn introduced a resolution
on the workmen's compensation act. Mr..
Osborn said he was willing to leave the
working out OF the details OF the bill to
the Assemblymen. The present laws
dealing with the subject were entirely in
civ hn 1,