New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-02
oHAB107BB IN P0Ifrros.
B. HEPBURN ON THE STATE CONTEST

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A. B. HEPBURN ON THE STATE CONTEST
THE RESULT OF THE ELKorIoN LARGELY pxprrns..
ON TIE cANDrDATE-LE0IsLATIvxc CANDIDATE
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or me rHnurks
CANTON, N. T., Aug. 29.-A. barton H.
burn. the chairman Of COMMITTEES Of the Assembly
did suoh thorough work In 1879 in investigating -
plants against the railroads to lead to the crsats
Railroad Commission, s resident Of this village -
Hepburn also is entitled to political remembrance a an
celent Bank superintendent To-day no was visited y
TRIBUNE correspondent and asked what was the dns
Of political opinion in st. Lawrence County
~ have been 20 busy with my various busin~~
interests" he replied. "that have given l,tt,s
attention to politics and know very little Of Its conda
in this county oven, except what get from the now
papers, shall Of COURSE take that interest that ever
good citizen ought 10 - the time for action a.
proacnes"
"whst have you to say about the issues in the psnA
ing canvass in this stater
"well, what the issussi The two leading parti~
are not divided BY any principle indeed policy
far - State politics are concerned Upon tho quests
Of protection to American labor and American indn
ries the attitude Of the Republican party pronounso
and we'll defined; that Of the Democratic party ia
straddle or has been up 70 the present time Douh>
less President Cleveland in his coming message Coz
gress In its subsequent action win give to the Doms
CRATIC party standing on THIS question ana furnish
issue in National politics I'm the future.
"As to all questions coming within tho power 4
the State Government to regulate. both pan
tics profess the Same Views Economy anl
honesty in the administration of afsirs,
reforming and placing business basis the Civil Ser
vice. fostering and protection Of labor and capa-ths
suppression Of crime and all tracs that lead to In
commission are propositions which all favor and the
question for voters to determine 10, which party en-
trusted with power will most faithfully and efficiently
carry out ts professions.
"This IL the question that intelligent independents
voters will ask themselves.
"And there lots Of independent voters, with ten.
denoy to increase In the absence Of sharply defined
political issues Is always co. What party has done
It's records potent In determining the action Of voters
And the record Of the Republican party upon questions
Of temperance and morals economy and reform Of the
public service and the broader questions of foreign
domestic policy Of the Nation when contrasted with the
record Of the Democratic party must predispose voters
to support It's nominees But the issues upon which the
Republican party has made its record mainly settled
The tension Of party feeling questions of political
financial nature growing out of the War relaxed
with tho practical adjustment of those questions We
are in period Of relaxation, and people inclined
judge party much by its past by its pres
ent pledges for its future"
"What type OF man should be the Republican candl-
date for Governor"
"There never was q time when character counted
for much in candidate as at present. William n
Evarts, the poorest Of politicians was elected TO ths
United States Senate against the determined efforts Of
the best and astute political managers In tho State
And whyf Because his overmasterng ability and
blemishsd character, demonstrated through long
and successful career, realized the public
Judgment Of what constitutes Senator. And
tho Republican candidate for Governor IL
elected this fall II wib because IL his record and In
himself he fills the of manhood fixed by public
judgment meet to discharge the duties Of Executive
Of State embracing nearly 100000 Of people.
In the absence of welldehned political issues the
fight VIII be made on Its candidates. Medocrty won't
do. Political platforms generally believed to be
jugglery OF words political dragnet cast to catch
many elements Of strength possible. The voters win
than read parts platform In its candidates.
and its future In their character Our candidate must b
man of tho first magnitude, and whose life has
demon that fact-not necessarily in public LIFE
He may be merchant prince or other business man
who has made himself known to the public through
commercial channels, Charles g. Smith, Cornelius
Bliss Legrand E. Cannon. Politics as well az right en-
force this necessity This equally true OF all cand
dates to be voted for this fall"
"what do you think of the suggestion to increase M
membership OF the Legislaturei"
az think 1t would be unwse. Public sentiment is very
much like pendulum 1t osslates. Dissatisfied VITA
existing affairs, 1t seeks a change Until 1921 the Gov.
srnors term Of Office three years. Thinking him not
sufficiently amenable puplic sentiment the Consttu-
ton OF that year shortened his term OF Office to tive
years. and severely curtaled his power of appointments
The constitutional amendment Of 1924 increased the
term three years. and very materially increased his
veto power and power or appointment The whole ten
dency OF constitutional amendments and legislation Of
late years especially 10 cities has beento concentrate
power and fix responsibility for its exercise Now
notice OF the press take kindly 10 the suggestion TO
increase the number OF legislators. Certainly the
la she iu1 Al af
each member notice In one interview which The rRis-
UNE published it argued in effect that 1t is only
necessary buy seventeen Senators In order to enacto
obstruct legislation and II The body were larger u woad
"What au argument this universal assumption that
there is no virtue IN pubic ae ana st sior 'as
repeatedly made. 1t is easily accounted TOT. Wnsre
for the press ana hence its duty TO single out
and brand the individuals guilty Instead OF making gen.
legislative bodies tho nitlatory and real work oflegsa
ton Is done By comparatively few, very lew, members
ner by looking over the bill OF fare and selecting
lecting their Judgment dictates Certainly no greater
efficiency legislation would be secured by increased
represe nor indeed, purity With the power o.
local legislation which now exists Ia the County Boards
against locs legislation part OF the LEGISLATURE
II cannot be pretended that the local interests Of all
SspSS% at present Tho most :tTn:
gent provisions that pen can ndist v agai ,s
severost penalties already Incorporated into our
constitution and statutes All that remains 10 40 ~
to bring offenders within the pale OF these penalties
And In our Legislature, now constituted easier
to expose corrupt prosecution. or 10 local con-
demnaton their constituents. than II tho membership
increased Turn on the lights. Let US Know wy
isgisatIon Immediately affecting his constituency, hence
his constituency have no Immediate knowledge OF DIS
unfaithfulncss. Fix upon each member tho RESPONSE
billy for his action aud each constituency 10
nominate and elect none but good men,"
"What do you think of the Civil Service reform
movement"
think the best Civil Service regulation IL the fact
that the party of Is constantly indictng the
party in power bringing IL TO trial at each recurring
election All possible evidence pro and con, Is addueea
the abest arguments made; and the people the gie.t
oourt of last resort under OF governnenis
thus enabled 20 render an Intelligent verdict Theresa
necessity OF removing the Offices apart from those whose
possession Is essential in carrying out he
policy OF an Administration, from political
manipulation, and socurlag their administrator
10 the business Interests Of the Government While the