Semi-weekly herald., 1913-05-15
GOV. SULZER SAYS SPECIAL
PRIVILEGE is ON LAST LEGS

M o.N LRSl LEIIS
ALBANY, N. Y, May 14.-Declar-
ing that the power of wealth and
special interests is greater in New
York, than in any other state, and
that these interests are making their
last stand in this state, Governor Sui
zer today detailed his fight for di-
rect primaries in special statement
prepared for the United Press. The
governor declared "the powers of spe-
cial privilege are sure to be over
thrown by the power of an aroused
and righteous public sentiment"
The statement by Governor Sulzer
follows:
1t is gratifying to know that the
movement for statewide primaries in
New York has aroused public inter-
est throughout the nation, because
this is fundamental reform upon
which must depend many other re-
forms demanded by the great wave of
a democratic sentiment sweeping over
the country.
Unless the people are permitted to
nominate candidates for public office,
they cannot elect such public servants
as they may desire, to make and exc
cute such laws as are demanded by
present day conditions.
Every day | see accumulating evil
dence of the truth which / stated
in my recent message, when | pointed
out that those who would subvert the
ps"crs of government to personal ad-
vantage and to the advantage of pub
lie service corporations and others
seeking special privileges, find great
opportunities to carry on this nefari-
GUS work through the adroit and skill
ful manipulation of our system of
party caucusses and political conven-
tions.
Disgraeeful secret alliances between
tig business interests, and crooked po-
tics must cease.
The power Of wealth and the spe-
cial interests is greater in New York
than in any other state, because in
New York is centered the great f.
nancial interests Of the nation. Most
of these interests are sound, legiti-
mate, honest, but some of them are
illegitimate and it is the interests last
mentioned which are fighting the re-
forms which l am advocating.
The spirit of true democ racy is
summed up In the slogan: "Let the
pc ople rule" They cannot rule until
they obtain successful method Of
OF rating the non,in. ting mach merry
j political parties New York is one
OF the last states in tho Union TO ca
ritulate to the present day demand for
popular rule in the election of can.
didi.tes for all pubic Offices. The
powers of special privilege and in
t, enched pelf ar, 'iefe. making their
les, stand, but ,ley are sure to be
overthrown.
Every day am hearing from as
semblymen and senators who voted
syainst my direct primaries bill. but
Who now assure me they will give 1t
t,eii support at the coming spc-
,ial session of the legislature, be-
cause they have learned that they
have misrepresented the sentiments
Of their constituents.
From others | hear that they will
support my bill if it be amended so
that the state conventions may be
continued. The play Of Hamlet with
Hamlet left out would not be more
OF an abortion than a direct primary
hill with the state conventions retain
cd. To have direct primaries and to
have state conventions is impossible.
State conventions must go and honest,
direct primaries must come. There Is
no middle ground. There can be no
compromise.
Tic widespread demand for direct
NJ .rnaries originated mainly from the
scandalous failure Of state conven-
tions to faithfully reflect the senti-
ment CT the party voters.
There are only two kinds Of pri-
maries-direct and indirect. The lat
ter constitutes the reactionary dele
gate system, the former constitutea
the peoples progressive system. The
principle admits Of no debate and nc
compromise.
The Democratic party In the STATE