New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-28
Tammany and Old-Line
Republicans Wish State
Convention Back.
CHARY OF TACKLING
VOTES FOR WOMEN
Abolition Proposed of Surrogate
Courts and New York
Special Sessions.
From a.. star Correspondent o, TIE Tribune

From a star Correspondent OF TIE IriouneI
Albany, April 27.-Tammany Hall and
the reactionaries of the Republican
party are determined to restore the old
state convention and destroy all that
is offensive to them in the present cleo
tion law.
At to-days session Of the Constitu-
tional convention it became obvious
that nothing would be too reactionary
for consideration when John Godfrey
SAKE, formerly legal adviser to Gov
ernor Glynn, introduced an amendment
TO the constitution bringing back the
state convention. While unwilling to
be quoted at this time, delegates Of
strong party affiliations, men whose po-
litical creed antedates the Civil War,
and who regard the modern trend Of
thought on public affairs as altogether
vicious, declared that the SAKE amend
ment has not only the backing Of Tam
many Hall, but Of the followers Of the
Old Guard.
which was referred TO the suffrage
committee. took the men identified with
the fight for direct primaries by sur
prise. They believe, however, that they
will enlist the support OF Governor
Whitman in their fight against the SAKE
amendment.
Tired of Direct Primary.
Were all tired Of this direct pri-
mary business" said one prominent
Democrat. "And this applies both to
parties and their leaders. It's plain
bunk The average voter doesn't
know the difference between a direct
primary and mass meeting. There's
no reason why we should not put this
SAKE amendment through. and. what's
more. we're going to-"
These were also the sentiments Of
certain Republican delegates of the
same school. The Tribune correspond
ont was informed that 10 William F..
cbeehan. of Tammany Hall, and TO ex-
Senator Edgar Truman Bracket, a
Republican fond of the ancient ways.
will fall the task of whipping their re-
s,ectivo party members into line for
the SAKE amendment
Mr.. Barnes, It is declared by MS
friends here. will give the SAKE
amendment his hearty support Ana
everv Tammany leader in the state,
~ i hu Aou,p
,,;ll he with Mr.. Barnes should ne sup
no,t +bis blow at direct primaries.
MIR Barnes was one of the most ar
don+ sunnorters Of the retention OF the
e+o+e convention when Governor hughes
v,as irving to tear down the convention
e,'stem bV means of direct primaries,
and his fight with Hughes at that time
;s now providing many an interesting
morsel to politicians who have an eye
on the proceedings at Syracuse
Sweeping Changes Proposed.
Tho SAKE amendment makes the party
convention requirement part Oh oe1-
.;n,, A Article 2 of the constitution.
ia Ia - provides that the convention IS
o. comprise delegates, one at least from
oocb Assembly district. 1t also re,
o''iros that voters shall be registered
annually and upon personal Application
only. ,.- % ,b. iud;-
.;oi law we're proposed by William r.
SSeeban S and Alfred G. Reeves Re
Tnving that the Governor might oe
.vsyed .,vd bv political reasons Mr.
Sbeeban would take from the eNec@utl.e @
,be The, power TO appoint judges ana s plaes &c
- in the hands of the cher )u'ss u
c.,.,nusd on page 8, column .