New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-03
TO BOSS ITSELF
IS PARTY RIGHT,
SAYS BARNES
Urges a Constitutional Bar
Against Any Direct
Primary Laws.
OFFICIAL BALLOT
BLAMED FOR EVILS
OBrien Amendment, Favoring
Political Nominating Conven-
lions, Also Presented.

From a star Correspondent OF The IrlDuheI
Albany, Aug. 2.-William Barnes
made brief reactionary speech in the
Constitutional Convention tonight IN
favor of the restoration Of the party
conventions and adjustment Of the
power of The Legislature to enact laws
governing political parties and requir-
ing direct primaries.
The authors of the proposed amend
ments restoring the party conventions
are Patrick J. Tierney, Republican, Of
Pittsburgh, and John G. SAKE, Demo
crat, of New York
"From consultation with them," said
Mr.. Barnes, at appears that they are
not inclined TO move their bills lmme-
diately, if at all ~.
After asserting that the authors OF
these amendments seemingly had been
attacked with cold feet, he said 1t was
very necessary that the question should
come before the Constitutional Con-
vention for consideration.
Mr.. Barnes absolved political bosses
from all blame for things charged up
that of the official ballot.
Under the preferences extended by
the official ballot law of 1898 the great
est evils of party government have re-
suited" Mr.. Barnes said. Direct prl-
mary advocates have attributed these
evils 10 the nominating convention ana
to so-called political bosses, but they
are wrong.
Independence Ia Repressed.
"The preference 3 on official ballots
are repressive to Independent thought,
and parties instead of being vehicles
for the expression Of ideas have pc
come mere avocat!onal with a copy
right label 1t has become virtually
impossible for independent movements
10 succeed because of the preferences.
All citizens nominated for Once are
entitled to equal places on the ballot
whether they are named by parties or
bv small groups of individuals,
Each political group should De lree
without statutory interference TO make
their own rules and nominations.
Mr.. Barnes cited the experience OF
the Progressive party in 1872, which ne
said held a meeting at syracuse 10
make state nominations.
under the law it could not properly be
so STYLED" said Mr.. Barnes. 1T was a
mere meeting of men coming together
They afterward had to circulate petit
tons to make the nominations legal
which had been made at that conven-
ton. Because the ProgresSlves polIed
more than 10000 votes-390, 0O0-in the
state they became q political party
after election under the elections law
Nov. my proposal IN this respect
is TO deny the privilege which Is now
accorded TO political parties upon the
official ballot. That is a necessary step
to the second paragraph which pro-
hibits the Legislature from passing
any law regulating the election Of
marty committees. the method of NOM
nations for public Office by political
parties. or other groups Of voters, and
the rules of procedure, except proyid-
ing for a place upon an official ballot,
if any.
Would Do as They Pleased.
"Now the result Of that would be
that all groups would operate in ac-
cordance with she desires Of those who
belonged to them and not under stif,
regulative measures which the state
has imposed.'
Morgan J. O'Brien, Of New York. Of
fered an amendment prepared by Ed.
gar NJ. Cullen, formerly Chief Judge Of
the Court Of Appeals, as a substitute
for the Saxe-Tierney bills. Il was ac-
ceptcd so that it might be discussed.
This PROPOSED amendment reads:
no law shall abridge the right OF
he people Leaceably to assemble and
TO petition the government, or any
number Of them. TO associate and select
candidates to be voted for at any cleo
ton for public Office under such meth
DDS as they may deem proper"
Mr.. Barnes and others who want to
/ kill direct primaries will have the
T Saxe-Tierney bills moved at an oppor-
tune time. The O'Brien amendment,
while not so direct in its language as
the Saxe-T ierney bills, would also pro-
hibit the Legislature from passing any
liroc+ priroa rv laWs