The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-17
OLD GUARD TELLS
TANNER HE'S WRONG
Party Platform Doesn't Pledge
Convention Delegates to
the Short Ballot.
MAY COST MANY VOTES

ALBANY, Aug. 16.@Chairman Fred
srick c. Tanner OF the Republican State
committee was told to-day that he was
In error when he intimsted in his re-
port to the Constitutional Convention
that the Republican delegates in the
convention were pledged by the party
platform TO the short ballot and the
Tanner plan to ~reorgsnize the state
government by centralizing power In the
Governor.
The old guard Republicans pointed out
that the preamble OF the Constitutional
Convention article in the Republican
party platform contained this para
graph
The delegates 10 the State Constitu-
uonal Convention should be at liberty
TO approach every constitutional ques-
tion with an open mind and to vote
thereon rs their Individual Judgment
and conscience may dictate TO g for
the best N permanent interests OF
the people OF the State. This conven-
ton disclsims either the right or the
desire to embarras the freedom OF
action which ought TO belong to every
delegate.
wondering About Pledges.
Untn this paragraph in the Republic
can State platform was ~unearthed to-
day many Republican delegates were
wondering how they wee to get around
the platform :. edges for the short ballot
and the reorganization OF tho State gov.
eminent n vote against these PROPOSE
lions.
As a result the Old guard Republicans
we're Jubilant tonight, The position OF
many Republican delegates against the
short ballot and the Tanner reorgani-
zation plan was well expressed BY Rus
sell Virgins OF Middle,own. one of the
ablest young Republicans In the Con-
stitutional Convention, who declared THAI
the Tanner plan presented zone of the
most critical periods In the history ~
this State, for under the guise of eff
oency and economy IL takes away from
the people the right TO elect the prin.
cipal administrative officers OF the
State.
las the activities Of the State lave
increased and the needs OF the state
have shown the necessity for the crea-
ton of new Offices departments.
said Mr.. Virgins, the Legislature has
readily responded to ~ requirements.
and with the result that many boards,
officers and commissions have been ere
ated, the duties OF which, II is aid
have In several instances overlapped.
THE report Of the committee. 50 far as
II attempts to remedy this condition
and consolidate the various activities OF
the State under different departments. IN
most c~ommendable and the people OF
the State will receive with great salts
faction any new method Of conducting
the business affairs Of the State which
will reduce the already heavy and rap
idly increasing burden OF taxation.
But coupled with these good features
In an apparent distrust Of popular rule
and a desire to centralize the great ad-
ministrative duties Of the State under
appointees OF the Governor.
when one read the entire amend
ment II reads like 4 king makers plan
for an elective monarchy. New York
was n short ballot state from l1l7 20
1916. The irst Constitution was drafted
upon the apparent distrust Of the people
and a recognition OF the short ballot.
for the people then only elected a Gov
ernor and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and all
the other great officers OF the state and
the various officers ~ the counties were
appointed by n council consisting OF
State Senators and The Governor.
This proposal now before the con-
vention Is aimed TO 10 back TO those
lis HltAllb'l~r NAlAF u ~ ~ Nv
that the people get the right 20 elect
their Acknowledgement and the State
Comptroller. still the Office OF Comptrol-
Ter has been so stripped Of all the great
administrative duties that he will be-
come simply a bookkceper or certified
public accountant
Even the charities OF the State have
become centralized and the plan has al
ready caused great alarm to those In
terested. Another most pronounced
change Is that which creates n depart
ment OF public works. embracing the
| duties Of State Engineer, COMMISSIONS
Of Public Works and Highway Depart
ment. and II would naturally be assumed
that this department would be under the
charge OF a civil engineer. but on the
contrary no technical education Is re-
quired by the person who is to head
this department.
1.-THE GENERALIZATION In the Governor
Of the power Of appointment Of the heads
OF these big administrative offices OF
the State. with the great power OF
patronage. presents a situation from
which II can be seen how easy It would
be for big and powerful influences &c
control the State for many years. TIC
those desiring special favors II will az
ford a great opportunity.
THE innocent name OF the shor
ballot will soon be understood by thu
people and when that time comes and
they realize their interests are at stake
there will, ! believe, he no uncertain de
mand for the preservation OF the priv
ilegee which they now entOy."