The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-27

feelings of the Governor that point. and his views
troubled campaign. Governor Robinson found
at his residence seated in his pleasant library enjoy
ing excellent bodily health. and more vigorous
in expression and emphatic in manner than ordi-
narly.
CHANGE OF FRONT.
It was evident at once that neither on account Of
impaired health. want of hopefulncss nor Of
expediency justice to the democracy docs the
Governor contemplate for moment retirement
from tho field know of the existence of any
desire the part of his friends TOR any serious
proposition from sources deserving consideration
that any such absurd policy should be adopted.
HIS FIRST NOMINATION.
'Three years ago." said Governor Robinson.
"when the proposition that should be the cand-
date for Governor made to me in this very room
by Governor Tilden was unwilling to accept the
position and did my best to bring about other
nomination. but when consented"-and hero the
Governor brought down his hand emphatically on
the elbow of his easy chair-I resolved that it
SuOulo po tiio lnSt VI uiy pubuC Carcers
that would give the people as hon.
est and efficient government as I could.
and at the end. of my term retire to
private life. may say without egotism that felt
equal to the task. for my experience legislator
and Comptroller made me familiar with the in.
terests and business of the State government as
any one could be. claim that have carried out
my resolution faithfully and givon the people as
mand it was possible to give them. have stopped
extravaganza wherever it visible and have saved
tho state millions of dollars that do not appear on
the records.
FORCED IN AGAIN BIZ TAMMANY.
IL should have carried out also my determination
to retire at the close of present term of Office
sincerely desired to do so but when overbearing
faction undertook to bulldoze the great democratic
party Of tho State and because they and their friends
could not make use of my administration for their
purposes uttered brutal threats of boiling aud
giving tho State to tho Republicans if
tho choice OF the Democratic Convention
should fall upon the candidate Of the party.
the honest. independent democracy throughout the
State determined to make me their candidate. was
no longer in position to decline. Had done it
would have seemed the triumph of arrogant and
overbearing clique and have made it appear that
John Kelly. backed by the corrupt rings that had
felt the power of honest government. held SUI
prone control the democracy of New York.
THE RESPONSIBILITY THE DEMOCRACY.
"To havo yield e and taken any other candidate.
however capable and honest would have been
claimed by the Canal and Tammany rings their
triumph. and would have been destructive to the
democratic organization. for self respecting
could have acted with it thereafter. These consid-
erations determined my action. I accepted the
the people of tho State. 1t rests with them to
decide whether they will continue my administration
to the practices, the abuses. the exrava-
CANT expenditures and tho heavy taxation that pre-
vailed in the days when the old rings. now busy in
tho canvass. were supreme in tho State.
THE POWER THE EXECUTIVE.
CoRnKsroSpESr-But tho opponents of your
election. Governor. say that the constitutional
amendments prohibiting the payment of damages
and extra compensation to contractors. empowering
the Executive to veto items in an appropriation
supply BILL and changing the state Prison and canal
systems, made the economies of your administra-
ton inevitable.
Governor RoBISsoS-I know they do, but tho
men. or course these constitutional amendments
give a Governor more power than ho formerly pos
sesscd to control extravaganza and check corruption
but they do not compel him to do so. and under
of permitting dishonesty in his friends. tho ex-
penditurcs of the State government could DO made
as large and tho taxation as burdensomc ever.
bad bills would be allowed to become law without
be left in supply bill. for tho power to cx-
ppngc them does not imply the obligation to
do 30. Corrupt could be placed in positions of
trust and the expenses of tho State prisons and
nails under the sy stem could be made great
or greater than under tho old system. The very
best of laws and constitutions may be made bad by
bad administration. while the worst evils of bad
laws may sometimes be avertcd by good admins
tration. can say with clear conscience that /
have done my duty to the people of the State during
my Official term. with fidelity aud with earnest
desire for the public good.
INFALLIBLE.
do not intend to claim infsllibility. and there
are some things which / should do differently IL
had them to do again. regret my appointment of
Mr. smythc as the head of the Insurance Depart
ment. but acted In that under the advice of mon
who supposed were fully acquainted with tho