The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-26
DIRECT PRIMARY IN
DANGER OF REPEAL
Law Almost Sure to Be Wiped
Out or Drastically MOdi-
fled This Winter.
DIsGUSTED EVEN FRIENDS
Republican Leaders, Before
COndemning 1t Publicly,
Await Smiths Views.

One of the safest predictions that
may be made in regard to the work OF
the coming session Of the Legislature,
1t would seem, Is that the direct
primary law will be repealed. Or,
rather, to put it more euphmemisti-
eally, for no one wishes to face the
charge that a retrogression Is to take
place in the management of political
affairs in this State, the direct primary
law will be amended so as to provide
for q return to the old convention sys-
TEN Of nominating party candidates.
The direct primary feature will be
maintained, however, in the selection
of delegates to conventions, and to
this extent there will not be a return
to the old system, the system where
one faction secured control of the COM
mittee on credentials and by strong
arm methods threw out such deele-
gates as were opposed to 1t. Creden-
tials under the proposed new system
would be issued by the election au-
thorities and would be final, save for
1CficW ny the COuTlS.
No Voice to Defend II.
Since the Republican Club OF the
City Of New York started the ball roll
ing by the passage OF a resolution IA
vorins the amendment" of the direct
primary law and the introduction of a
similar resolution at the last meeting
OF the Republican County Committee
not a voice has been raised in defence
of the present law. Unless some potent
influence should arise to make a fight
for the retention of the system it
would seem to be a foregone conclu-
sion that 1t will go.
While Republican leaders are will
ing enough to give their views, they
do not want to be quoted at present.
They are waiting to find out what the
attitude of Governor elect Smith VIII
be. Although the present law was
passed in the Democratic administra-
ton of Gov. Glynn in the latter part of
1913. the Democratic leaders are about
as much Disguised with the workings
Of the law as the Republicans.
I'VE would like to know what stand
Gov. Smith will take" said an infiu-
entail Republican yesterday. IF he
should advocate a return to the con-
vention system in his message to the
Legislature 1 think he would find con-
siderable support at once among the
Republicans"
While 1t cannot be stated that the
Governor will discuss the topic in his
message, ii may be said on the best of
authority that he favors n return to
the convention system under proper
safeguards, much as outlined in the
plan suggested by Alan d. Kenyon
chairman of the committee on State
+ affairs of the Republican Club. 1t is
believed that he would be willing 10
sign such a bill, although, of course
his attitude might be altered by the
situation that might arise in connec-
ton with other legislation.
Former Advocates Disguised.
60 far as it can be learned, none of
the district leaders in New York
county will oppose the resolution for
a return to the convention system
when IL comes before the county COM
mittee meeting, January &c. Originally
there were leaders, such as Colin II
Woodward of the Twenty third, who
were strenuous advocates of direct pri-
maries, but they have come to appre-
ciate the defects the law has in actual
practice, and will not raise a hand &c
see the law retained, II is believed.
It was the opinion that the bill fol
the repeal of the direct primary Law
introduced by Senator Elon r. Brow
last winter would have passed except
hot
threatened to make fight against ii
His interest in the matter was said tc
rest entirely on the fact that he pre-
ferred to be renominated by the difec
primary system. His friends who
would have stood by him in the figh
last winter will not be opposed to thu