The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-16
SHORT BALLOT FIGHT
DEPENDS ON BARNES
Old Guard Says Albany Man
Will Aid in Beating the
Tanncr-ROOt Plan.
O"FFICEHOLDERS LINE Up

ALBANY, Aug. lj.-Willlam Barnes's
short ballot II a Consolidation of the
1872 State boards and commissions into
thirteen executive departments, the
heads OF which will be appointed by the
Governor elected next year, will deter
mine It's fate In the Constitutional Con-
vention. AS yet Mr.. Barnes has not
taken a position on the question. but ne
has always been IA st.ckler for carrying
out party platform pledges. The last Re-
publican platform not only pledged a
short ballot, but Gov. Whitman also
went on record for a consolidation Of a1-
ministrative State departments n a
Capitalization Of responsibility in the
Governor with a view TO effecting sub
stsntial economies in government.
Whether Mr.. Barnes will line UP with
the old guard Republicans who have
controlled the Republican State machine
for so many years or with the Federal
crowd" led by President Root, George
W. Wickersham, Henry /. Stimson, John
Lord O'Brian and Herbert Parsons. is a
problem. However, the old guard poll
ticians and ofIiceho!ders asserted to-
night that Barnes would line up with
them at the last moment
The fact remains. though. hat the old
guard Republicans in the convention
have opposed many OF the policies Of the
Federal crowd but when the show
down came retreated from their position
In each instance. The most notable plan
which the old guard abandoned was TO
force n legislative apportionment by this
convention and to increase the limita-
ton against New York city's representa-
tion in the Legislature.
The guards members likewise aban-
doned their fight against the Stimson
budget, but now they say that when they
finish amending the Tanner plan the Fed
eral crowd nay not be so anxious to
have the convention approve 1t.
Causes of Old Guard Opposition.
Some old guard Republicans oppose
the Tanner plan because IL interferes
with some OF their friends IN Office. 9TH
ers because Il takes too much patronage
away from other ~oficeholders, though
not a%bolishing the Jobs. and many be-
cause II centralizes too much power IN
the Governor. Gov. Whitman's friends
have expressed the fear that IL the pow
ers OF the Chief Executive should be SO
extended as contemplated by the Tanner
plan II might Interfere with the Cover
nor's denomination next year.
Since Gov. Whitman assumed Office in
January his distribution OF patronage
has not been pleasing TO a majority OF
the Republican chiof't!ns who control
their W counties. The result Is that
only in Gov. Hughes's time did 50 few
local Republican leaders seek patronage
nj the executive chamber as since Gov.
Whitman assumed Office.
II the Tanner plan goes thr ugh the
convention and is approved by the people
II is anticipated vat Gov. Whitman's
policy In tA.s reSDet. would change. be-
cause II IS conceded that the so At the
primaries controlled by the Rcpublican
State michine will nominate the next
Republican candidate for q, yeraor.
TIE Federal crowd is pointing out 10
the Republican delegates that the main
opposition 10 the Tanner plan comes
from Democratic sources. ara they think
this will have great weight with the final
decision { the Republican d icgates.
wndsvorth Protests 10
TIE fac. that Senator Wadsworth has
written a letter 20 President Root. favor
Ing a short ballot and a GENERALIZATION
OF power ~ '.' fov"r'rr, has been taken
as an indictt! n that he favor the Tan
ner plan, but Chairman Tanrer has re-
ceived another letter from Mr. Wads-
worth opposing divcstlug the State
Comptroller Of Tire tax assessing and
collection fuuCticrs he now has, ard
rendering the Comptroller merely an
auditing Jtiicer.
Those who favor the Tanner plan have
been approached from q dozen different
sources with the promise ~ votes In the
convention # c-ay would am nd the plar
so as I save this or tina, safe official
from dccap.iltiun or It reduction of his
power Of patronage. The impression IL
that some concessions must be made
along these lines before So OF the lls
Republican delegates, "A majority OF the
At present the Old Guard politicians
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