New-York tribune., 1921-03-11
Primary Repeal
Bill Introduced
In State Senate
Walton Proposal, Backed by
Leaders, Looks to State
Wide and Judicial Nom
nations by Conventions
Miller to Urgo Action
Committee c Approves Meas
ure for Use of Voting
Machines i'm This CITY

ALBANY, March 10.-Senator Charlie,
W. Walton, of Kingston, to-day intro
duced bill repeating the direct pri-
mary law In SO far a. It affects state
wide and judicial nominations.
The bill, which is similar to q meas
ure introduced by Senator Walton last
year and the year before, provides 70,
the election Of delegates TO state and
judicial conventions, with the Assem-
bly, district as a unit
The choice Of convention is made
absolute in the Walton bill, no appeal
being permitted from the action Of the
delegates.
The measure provides for the filing
of the returns Of the primaries a,
which the delegates are chosen thirty
days before the holding Of the conven-
lions, so that contests over seats may
be fought out in the Supreme Court
Assemblyman Joseph SteinberH, Of
New York, introduced a bill amending
the direct primary law so as to have II
conform to the principle laid down in
the Hinman-Green bill, which carried
9ut the direct primary program forlnu-
.ated by Governor Hughes in 1910.
Committeeman Increased
The measure increases the number
of state committeeman from one to
three for each Assembly district. and
creates state convention at which can
cidates running for the Offices Of Gov
ernor, United States Senator and state
Offices would be nominated. District
conventions Of committees for the des-
ignation Of candidates for local Offices
also are provided for. The members
OF the state and local committees are to
names placed upon the ballot by peti-
ton. The measure was introduced by
Mr. Steinberg on behalf Of the Citizens
Union.
Governor Miller tonight declared he
would send in message urging the
passage Of q direct primary repeal bill
and the enactment of other changes in
the election law. The message. it Is
understood, will not lay down any hard
and fast rules for the Legislature to
follow, but will call attention to the
pledge in the party platform for res
toration OF the state conventions.
Decided Upon by Leaders
The Walton bill was determined upon
by legislative leaders at conference
last night, when it was learned that
there was no possible way Of getting
majority report signed by the special
committee on election laws, because Of
the persistent refusal OF Assemblyman
James H. Caulield, Republican, Of
Brooklyn, to get behind a report org
ing the repeal Of the direct primary
law in any way.
1t will not be possible TO put through
direct primary repeal bill without a
resort to the party caucus. A ma
jority of the Republicans in the Legis-
lature are opposed to a repeal. The
leaders, however, want a repeal, and in
al likelihood will try to whip the ma
jo-ity into line.
The Senate judiciary Committee to-
day reported out with amendments the
Tolbert bill, providing for voting ma
chimes in Nnw York City. The changes
in the bill Carried out the recommenda-
tions of Charles E. Heydt, Commission
er of Elections in New York City. The
amendments provide that at least 800
voting machines shall be installed be-
fore the general election. 1000 before
the election of 1922 and the entire city
equipped with the machines for the
election Of 1923.