In the same message he favored the Massachusetts form of ballot. On this subject, he said:
The party column in our present ballot promotes party voting and hampers individual choice and judgment. The Massachusetts form of ballot, safeguarded as I have suggested, will not only enable but will require the voter to deliberately express his sovereign will with respect to every office and upon every candidate for office.
The new form of ballot was considered a radical departure in our electoral
system but Governor Glynn, overcoming objections from many of the political
leaders, won his fight in the Legislature.
Recognizing also that a sentiment had been growing in the state for
direct primaries he advocated such a law in the message. Calling attention
to the fact that there had been enacted in 1911 the first direct primary
law, he said it fell far short of the requirements of the situation,
adding:
Public opinion will not now be satisfied with less than a direct primary law, state-wide in its application, which will require the nomination of every candidate for public elective office in the organized parties by the direct vote of the enrolled members of the parties in their party primaries, without the intervention of delegates or conventions and with the absolute assurance of exact equality to all candidates for party nominations. The existing primary law has abolished all nominating conventions, except the state convention. Legislation, responsive to unmistakable public opinion, is now demanded which will abolish state conventions and leave to party membership n the party primaries the direct nomination of candidates to be elected by the entire state.
It will be noted that Governor Glynn laid stress upon the public demand for direct primaries. Beginning with the administration of Governor Charles E. Hughes in 1907 the right of the enrolled voters directly to nominate the candidates for public office had been discussed throughout the state, a discussion which continued to grow during the time that John A. Dix and William Sulzer were in the executive office. Both of these Governors advocated a direct primary law in one form or another, but it remained for Governor Glynn definitely to bring the matter before the Legislature and to succeed in persuading the Legislature to enact a state-wide primary law, the first of its kind in New York state. It went into effect in 1914.
Enactment of the workmen's compensation law was another notable achievement of Governor Glynn during that session of the Legislature. He pointed out that other. states had long adopted that policy and that it was demanded by every principle of justice and humanity, that since the voters of the state had granted authority to the Legislature by approving an amendment to the state constitution there should be no further delay.
And thus he accomplished at one session of the Legislature three outstanding measures of which, to the end of his life, he was always particularly proud.
The Legislature also enacted legislation required by the federal amendment providing for the direct election of United States Senators by the people. It had the hearty support of Governor Glynn.
The organization leaders in both political parties had opposed direct primaries and the Massachusetts ballot and Governor Glynn earnestly pleaded for them, in the name of progressive democracy, as instruments by which the people might obtain more control of their government. Referring to these measures he said:
I sincerely believe and earnestly hope that our public spirited citizens will appreciate and realize the increased powers and obligations these measures lodge with them and make effective use of their opportunities under these laws, to the end that these measures may become great agencies for progress, for better government and advance the general welfare of the entire state.
In his first message to the regular session of the Legislature in 1914, Governor Glynn had much to recommend concerning such subjects as organization for farm profits, land banks for farmers, conservation of water power, prevention of frauds at elections, co-operative markets and expert highway service.
He criticized the method of investigation employed by the state government whereby many investigations of state affairs were going on at the same time, and recommended in their place a court of inquiry composed of the living ex-judges of the Court of Appeals. Nothing ever came of this recommendation.