The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-23
BARNES SOON TO CALL
DUMMY CONVENTION
Candidates and Platform to BE
Unofficially Considered
by Leaders.
HEDGES PROPOSES PLAN
Aid to Primary voters-Chair-
man Himself Opposes and
Scores Election Law.

ESCUICS A"''
william Barnes, Jr., chairman OF tho
Republican State committee. Is favor
ably Impressed with the suggestion made
by Job T.. Hedges In a letter to him pro-
posing that an unofficial convention be
called to consider candidates and plat
form.
He replied yesterday to Mr.. Hedges In
a letter saying that he will call meet
ing Of the State committee in a short
time to consider the suggestion. He be-
lleves that such n conference will give
greater publicity to the selection OF cam
didates.
Mr. Barnes In his letter says
you maintain that under the election
law as II now has been amended, pro-
viding for statewide direct nominations
by all parties, unless an unofficial con-
vention Is called. where there may ne
consultation, discussion and Cancellation
by individuals the result Of the primary
election TO be held on September 80 wiz
surely reflect the operations of small
coterie Of politicians who will take the
time to organize for their own purposes,
This objection was raised by the OPP
ponents OF the direct nominations idea
before the present law was enacted.
Their voice was unheeded and their mo-.
tives impugned by those who disclosed
their own character by the imputations
they laid at the door Of others.
Never Treated Honestly.
From the beginning OF the discussion
in this state there has never been honest
ii 1T a. -.
state control over political parties
(which are merely groups OF voters hav-
ing the same views upon political ques-
.ions) is only possible through the
agency OF the official ballot which grants
In this state TO aggregations OF citizens
who have cast over 10000 votes for n
candidate for State Office the privileg,
that the candidates whom they nominate
shall be placed upon an official ballot
without expense to themselves and at the
expense of the people.
Having granted this privilege. the
State has the power to define how these
argregations shall nominate their can
didates. Having made the initial error
OF granting this privilege the State has
gone step after step on the wrong road
until now the six political parties In this
State which are recognized by law must
nominate their candidates for State offices
by a plurality of the direct vote Of their
membership the primary TO be paid for
by the people: candidates to be proposed
by petition Of a certain proportion Of the
enrolled electorate of each party.
The logical sequence OF providing by
statute for the direct nomination OF can
didates ef a political party for public
office is the abolition of the primary itself.
because candidates. projected for such a
primary might Just as wei, be projected
for the election. as the party thought and
organism is destroyed by the new law.
II say organism. not organization. You
show clearly that the organization II
strengthened and largely made self-per-
ganism, that is. the spirit OF a political
party which gives party meaning and
vitality. Is subdued under the weight Of
individual controversy. Therefore 1t seems
10 me that your proposal that state
convention be called through the agenoy
Of the continuing body OF the party known
as the State committee IL worthy of con-
slderation and has much merit in 1t. and
II will give me pleasure 10 call a meeting
of the state committee In the near future
to consider II.
However. | am not an advocate OF the
proposal. for the following reasons The
committee designation plan Of making
nominations. TO be followed by a direct
primary, which was advocated by Gov
-
ture OF that year and enacted into law
upon the recommendation Of Gov, Dix by
the Democratic Legislature in the fall of
1911 was "A makeshift and fraud upon
the direct nomination idea.
Simon pure direc, nominations have
now been provided for by tie law OF De
cember, 1918. advocas-s by Gov. Glyun
To all Of these prop, slt.ons l have been
opposed. ] therefore 40 not wish to be
connected with any movement which will
apparently have for its purpose or seem
to have for Its purpose. the notification
OF the present law.
"The average voter mas been educated
to a point where he Is 81 suspicious Of the
lotives OF those who have devoted them
selves or are d,votns themselves To pub
lie matters that having secured what hs
now considers to be "A boon and an oppor
tunity he will take exception to the pro
posed unofficial convention az a snare ant
"A vile of the politician, whom he dosp ses
! TO cheat him out OF new liberty which
/ he fancies the statute has granted him.
81 cannot deny, however. your state
ment that some agency must intervene
between now and primary day, and tina
every candidacy must have a genesis. an
| that that genesis should be open rattle
than secret. But your Idea will not a
the present time carry conv ction. II Il
better that the statute should have H.
working out exactly upon the theory upc'
which 1t was planned. without any at
tempt to becloud the s-sue. Thus the in
effectiveness of the law to accomplish tn
purpose for which II was de gned Will b
de clear and In time an election Law
may be passed conceived In reason"