The sun., 1919-03-14
NEW HOPESEEN FOR
STATE CONVENTION
Politician Predicts Gov. Smith
Will Yield to Demand to
Abolish Primaries.
SEVERAL BILLS PENDING
Would Repay G. o. P. Leaders
For Passing Executives
Pet Legislation.

Return to the State convention for
the nomination Of candidates has been
assured by the promise of the Repub-
lican Legislature leaders TO give Gov.
Smith his Public Service legislation and
other laws desired by him, in the opin-
ion OF man who has kept close track
OF the developments In Albany.
The prediction was made by this man
last night that the Legislature would
now push to passage the Walton Fearon
bill. which would restore the convention
system of nomination for State and judi
cial offices. The legislative leaders had
practically decided last week to shelve
all the bills amending the direct pri-
mary law because of their belief that
Gov. Smith would make partisan capital
out of vetoing any bill abolishing the
direct primaries Now the Governor
might be placed in the light OF being
unsrateful for what the Republicans are
to do for him IL he should veto con-
ventlon bill. and the Governor has never
been accused OF ingratitude.
Although the Republican County Com
mittee here and the Republican Club of
the city of New York have gone on rec
ord emphatcally for a return to the con-
vention system, and there is much senti-
ment for 1t in certain other communities.
the legislative leaders had not seen their
way clear to pass such legislation.
Ten days ago Senator ]. Henry
Walters went to the Governor in an eff
I fort to feel out his attitude to the wal
on-Fearon bill or some similar measure.
| While of course the Governor did not
say he would veto such a bill he Is said
to have indicated that he would much
rather 1t were not put up to him at this
session. At the same time Democratic
leaders We're gleefuly speaking of the
chance II would give the Governor to
put the party in the light of defending
direct primaries, which a 'reactonary
Republican majority in the Legislature
was seeking to abolish.
William Barnes. Judge w. NJ * Oh
colt and Robert w. Bonynge made a
special trip TO the capital last week to
urge the leaders to put through "A con-
venton bill. Mr. Barnes argued that
there was so much sentiment for il
| that a veto by the Governor would dis
credit him rather than furnish part isan
capital for the Democrats. He did not
convince them that the Governor would
not dare to veto the bill. That was the
situation at the end OF last week Since
then those who are determined that the
| State convention must be restored nave
been doing much work along the lines
opened up to them by the deadlock that
then eexisted between the Republican
Legislature and the Governor over his
| pet measures.
In addition TO the Walton-Fearon bill,
which would restore the convention sys-
tenn only for the nomination OF State
and judicial candidates. there are now
before the Legislature other bills amend
ing the direct primary law. Assembly
man Pellet of Manhattan has introduced
bill for the Republican Club which
would provide conventions for all can
ddates the delegates to such conven-
tons being chosen at direct primaries
and receiving credentials from the cleo