The sun., 1919-02-06
PARTY CONVENTION
BILL IS OFFERED
1t Would Restore System for
State and Judicial District
Candidates.
Special Despdfch TO TIE srs.

ALBANY, Feb. 5.-While Gov. Smith
has suggested that the Legislature
could spend Its time more wisely than
In repeating sections Of the present pri-
mary law, Senator Charles d. Walter
Of Kingston and Assemblyman George
II Fearon OF Oneida introduced to-day
bill TO restore party nomination con-
ventions for state and judicial district
candidates. Delegates to the conven-
tions would be selected at party pri-
maries. and provision is made that II
independent candidates are favored
they may be designated by petition. The
regular party and Independent tickets
then would be submitted TO party voters
at a primary.
The bill would allow the present
method OF nominating United States
Senators. Representa- ives In the House,
State Senators and Assem- lymen or
county, city and town officers. Dele
sates to the State convention would be
selected with the Assembly district as
the basis Of representatives.
I'VE believe the convention Is the
only institution through which the en-
rolled voters OF a party can express
their deliberate judgment as to their
choice OF party candidates for State
office. and enunciate tho principles for
which the party stands says a Joint
statement issued b. the introducers OF
the bill.
Four Wet Bills offered.
Assemblyman Clarence F. Welsh OF
Albany introduced four bills, favored BY
the vets and rid!culed by the drys. One
would authorize the sale OF liquors con-
tanning not more than 10 per cent. aico-
hol. and prohibit the sale OF everything
containing a larger percentage than that
This would affect patent medicines. per-
fumes, navoring extracts, &c.
Two of the bills would suspend opera
ton OF the city and town local option
laws. 30 that no more territory could be
voted dry In New York State before the
Federal dry amendment goes into effect.
The fourth measure would repeal the
liquor tax law on January l6. 1920. the
day on which the national amendment
goes into effect
Something should be done at the
present session of the Legislature in an
|ticipat!on VI Tie amendment go!nG into
erect" Assernoyinan Welsh said to-
night In explaining his bills 1T goes
without saying tnat there will not be
sufficient time between the convenIng of
the Legislature next year and January
16'
stock Transfer Tax.
senator bernard Downing and Assem-
blyman Samuel Dickste!n, introduced a
bill to double the stock transfer tax,
ma king 1t 4 cents a 800.
Senator Downing offered another bill
TO provide that within year none but
steel cars may be operated on the SUBJ
way. street surface or elevated lines OF
New York. Senator Downing said the
I stock tax would raise between $4,000
600 and sl5000.ooo.
The Assembly adopted the adverse re-
port Of the Military Affairs Committee
on the bills OF Assemblyman Claessens
Socialist, which would abolish the Mill
| tary Training Commission and repeal the
! law giving the Governor power to organ
ize the reserve militia Of the State
Mrs. Ida Sammis introduced the bill
| OF the Woman's Conference to require
| that elevator operators shall have one
day C. rest In seven, and that no girl
| under IS shall be employed in such ca :
pacity. and that no woman operator
shall work more than nine hours a day