The New York herald., 1879-07-31
GOVERNOR ROBINSON.
lie Thinks Only Slate Issues Should Enter
Into The State Canvass.
"NOTHING TO SAY"
Being no ASpirant for Office, lie Is in the
Hands 0: the People.
HIS VETOES TOO FEW.
A Bolt by John Kelly Under Certain
Circumstances No SIM
"NOTHING TO SAY"
HIS vEToEs TOO FEW.

The long main street of El1nra runs east and west
parallel with the OF the river through this
part of the valley of the Chemung. Going south
ward from this street. crossing the stream by an un
graceful iron bridge. and turning eastward, pleas
ant walk of less than half mile brings to the
home OF Governor Robinson. 1t is plain two
storied white painted wooden house. with a narrow
veranda along its front the lower story only
and stands seventy eighty feet from the road
from which 1t is separated by white paling backed
by hedge. of trces-evergreens and decidu-
GUS. mixedruns along the fences which separate 1t
from the neighboring lots either hand. aud o
group of well grown evergreens shades the
circle in front of tho house, around
which runs the carriage drive. The at
mosphere of the place refreshingly cool
as opened the gate this warm morning and passed
into the shadow of the frs out Of the sunshine
which flooded the river road. The Governor was
sitting in al armchair the veranda. clad in q
suit of plain black and wearing very broad brimmed
straw hat Ayoung lady stood by his side. leaning
against the doorpost while another seated upon tho
doorsill. reading newspaper aloud The i'm
preston Of the rural simplicity and peacefulness Of
the scene was heightened when perceived that it
was tho local Elmra morning paper, with copy Of
which had wrestled in vain at tho dingy hotel to
extract nutriment in assistance Of very poor
breakfast. Here indeed, is Arcadia, thought, where
such manifest pleasure be derived from dry
crust. Pcrceiving my hesitation to interrupt the
reading the Governor put stop to it himself and
Invited me to q seat beside him the veranda.
II have called. Governor" said. ito offer you
the facility Of tho columns of the HERALD. in
you should desire to communicate with the people
in that manner by conversation concerning any
matters OF present public interest,""
II have carefully considered the subject Of giving
expression to my views in such circumstances as
those under which have the pleasure OF meeting
you" replied the Governor land although might
be grateful for the opportunity on another
occasion. yet have determined that in my relations
to the people OF the State ought entirely
passive at present. both in act and i'll word-cor-
tanly till after the meeting Of the Democratic State
Convention"
''But with regard to your relations to that Con-
vention."I replied. "is there nothing you would
wish to say?'
OFFICE sEEKER.
mo. nothing Whatever" he answered. II do not
seek denomination to my present Office. When I
nominated three years ago 1t by no effort Of
my own. entered the Office of Governor with no
expectation of reelection. At the age ut which /
should arrive ut the expiration of my present term
anticipated the pleasure of then retiring into pri-
vate life. enjoy the quiet of my home and the
beauty of this morning in the country. ana dis
like the turmoil OF Albany. II am called forego
these enjoyments it only be by the demand of
the people. That demand have made no personal
cndeavor to excite and shall make none. If it
arises it will arise solely from my public acts, and
then it must be my duty to comply in accordance
with the rulo by which always have governed my
Nfe."
"What is that ruler" asked.
"1t is" said tho Governor. ''that good citizen
should not seek public Office from any personal mo-
Al.
cost to himself if his acceptance clearly
by the people for the public advan tagc. In case of
such demand it would be duty to comply and not
otherwise
"I infer Governor."I remarked. "that the main.
tenance of distinct policy touching the administra-
tion of State affairs, il at issue in election. might
in your opinion. constitute sufficient foundation
for such demand" To this tho Governor asscntcd
and added, "Havo your views concerning the pro-
prety OF limiting the present State strictly
to State issues undergone any notification
None at ALL" the Governor replied. II expressed
them very fully in interview which was printed
In the HERALD several weeks ago, and, although I
might alter the phrascology Of that publication in
some particulars II had it to revise. 1 should mako
no changes whatever in its substance"
Perhaps" said. ''you will indicate the partcu.
lars OF the policy at present in issue"
'They are abundantly indicated" he rcjoined '.in
tho acts and State papers of my administration and
particularly in my vcoes. OF which there have been
agrcat many. refer you to them"
III have observed during long course of years.
said THAT in contest between the executive and
Legislative branches OF government. involving an
exercise of tho veto power. the sympathies OF tho
people in this country usually have been with the
executive"
EYES," answered the Governor. "and 1 believe
they are with mo in my vetoes. which have all been
In the interest of economy and honesty in admnis-
tration. There have been great many OF them as I
said. and there ought to have been great many
more. II had the same questions to deal with
again there would be-"
'Does your canal policy. Governor" inquired
"excte an uncommon degree of interest in the ap-
proaching nominations among persons formerly
connected with the management OF the canalsg"
Eyes, indeed" he quickly replied. "thcy arc hun
gering for the ncshpos of Egypt again. and hungry
men do desperate things"
JUDICIARY POLITICS.
81 hear" continued. 'that Chief Justice Church
Is actively engaged in the IN another State
whore once lived. public opinion almost unani-
mously disapprovcs OF political activity members
of the high Judiciary"
The Governor hcro paused for long time. and
then very deliberately answered -Certainly 1t ad-
mits Of grave question whether it is consistent
with the dignity OF tho Bench and the preservation
OF the profound respect IL ought to command for the
judges to be active political canvasscrs."
I'm the state to which reicr." continued. ''the
tenure of the judiciary is for lifc imagined
that 1t exercises wholesome restraint upon any dis
position OF the judges to mc,dle with partisan pol
tiles IL IL possible that New York system of an
elective Judiciary has influence the other way?"
iicre rgain the Governor paused. and slowly re-
pled:-"I regard all our American regulations con-
corning the tenure Of the Judiciary as experimental
Experimental legislation. both constitutional and
statutory, is the characteristic of our country"
USrvERsAL suFPRAGE.
"what do you say, Governor" asked, "concern-
ing the greatest experiment OF all. indeed that In
which all the others are comprehondcd our attempt
70 govern continent by universal suflrago?
IL have faith in IT," he instantly replied, ''and
even II had not there Is backing down from IL.