New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-22
Republican State Chairman
Not Sure Now That 1t
Is Practicable.
STATE OBJECTED TO
"GENTLEMEN'S PACT"
Whitman Leads in Disapproval OF
Unofficial Meeting. but Won't
Discuss Candidacy.

Mr.. Barnes. chairman OF 'he N'i""'-
can Stat. Committee. has experienced
change Of heart on the question or hoid-
ing an unofficial state convention 10 Sc
Iect candidates TO 20 on the primary Dbl
lot this fall under the new law. lie sain
yesterday he was not sure whether
would he practicable to hold such CON
vention.
Some time ago Mr.. Barnes was OF the
opinion that the only way to prevent
taneIe over the nominations was TO nave
convention. the selections Of when
would be- placed on the ballot under the
direction of the state organization I'M
officially. In line with this ides ne SUE
gested that il might be well TO nave u"
candidates who presented their names
before the convention enter into AN uh-
Outstanding by.which they would not run
AT the primaries against the successlu
candidates The suggestion OF such
"gentlemens agreement was condenlheu
ins all parts OF the state and attacked -
an attempt TO nullifv the will OF The pev-
ple i'm the passage of the direct primary
bill
Nh Barnes laid his idea before District
Attorney Whitman. VINO. IT is generally
fell will be candidate FOR the Rephp-
lican nomination for Governor this ialI
Mr.. Whitman promptly expressed disap-
proval not only Of the "gentlemen's
agreement" but also of the unofficial con-
vention.
1t makes no difference how many CON
ventions or conferences you may nave
the District Attorney Is reported To nave
told Mr. Barnes, "or who may ne 50
lected by such convention, | shall run Al
the primaries for the Republican nomina-
ton for Governor"
The District Attorney refused Yesterday
to discuss this report Mr. Barnes ap-
preached other prospective candidates.
but did not get the announcement ne
sought. Now he is seeking light on the
best way to handle the complicated situa-
ton presented by the direct primary law.
One Of his thoughts is that 1t may oe
lust as well 10 refrain from any attempt
to straighten out the tangie that VIII
ensue. The unworkablity Of the law Will
he so demonstrated he thinks, that ne
cessity for a radical change VIII become
apparent.
Il have no intention at this time, ne
said Yesterday. "of calling meeting OF
the state committee 70 call state cor
vention TO recommend candidates TO the
Republican voters II is too early TO give
this serious consideration. But 1t IS a
question that must be considered and de-
termined definitely in the late spring.
dot
lions from men prominent in the party
# j. understood that Senator Root rather
favors the convention idea
The argument against having the Re
publican organization initiate the plan OF
an unofficial convention is that many in
dependents may say that II was done with
view Of multiplying the intent OF the
direct primary law. Other parties might
take the idea up later. but some of the
| Republican leaders believe they would be
held responsible. il they originated the
plan.
Another thing is the difficulty Of select
ing delegates TO such an unofficial conven-
ton. They would have TO he elected AT
primaries not protected by legal barriers.
The inspectors would not be sworn, and
there would be no penalty If they did not
count the ballots correctly. The only re-
course against unfairness would be an
appeal TO the convention itself. Cnques-
tionably the convention would he hamp-
cred in it's work by many such contests
Those who remember the old days OF war
fare in the committee on credentials viii
have an idea OF what this means. 1t
might result in friction that would seri-
ously imperl the success of the ticket
ITO hold convention OF such an un-
Official character would take us back to
where we were forty years ago said one
Republican leader Yesterday.
II would he hard to get enrolled voters
out 10 unofficial primaries in midsummer
and the character Of the delegates might
not he representative Of the party. II II
is decided to hold convention MI Barnes