New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-29
A LESSON FOR THE GOVERNOR.

The Chief Executive Of the State of New
York might learn something of incalculable
value, if he would from the college boys. II he
had attended the game between Yale and 1Iar-
ward at Springfield, or the game between Yale
and Princeton at Manhattan Field, he would have
been forced to blush with shame for himself and
his party, tough and indurated though his cheek
may be- For he would have seen host OF
young men, passonately anxious and eager
enough to risk life or limb for the victory OF
their colleges, nevertheless respecting the rules
with decency which he has never shown. lie
would have seen college boys by the thousand,
intensely Jealous though they were, instantly ac-
auiescing in decisions against them, and Loyalty
unfolding the rules, though he and his associates
in political strife think it honorable and manly
to lie and cheat and steal for the sake of party.
The boys have set the Governor of Newly ork
a good example Possibly it would have been
more ceditable if the highest officer of this State
had been able to set them an example of re-
spectability, honesty and loyalty. But the main
thing is that the example of decency should
after all be set by somebody, and if the Gov
enor cannot set it in his Executive office at
Albany, or in his public conduct in regard to
a higher and more honorable manhood than his
is at least nculcated and honored in the strife
between boys not yet Of age in the fierce struggle
of rival colleges.
Presumably the Governor thinks it is smart
and helpful to his party, and therefore GER
tain to be popular, to rob the people for the sake
of political success. But the boys have very
different code of honor. To them it seems ras-
caIy and unworthy of manhood to steal sue
cess of any kind that does not fairly belong to
them. They would be swift TO boot and howl
out Of all participation in college sports any
umpire or referee who should attempt to take
wrongly an advantage for the side on which he
had been betting his money. 1t would seem TO
them that such creature was too mean and
low-hved and indecent for the companionship OF
respectable students and they would be exactly
right. But what is Governor Hill doing? The
Executive of the State, he is also political
aspirant and candidate, and has staked upon
the success of party far more than any ordinary
sum of money. But, being Governor, he is
obliged to decide some questions officially, and
he chooses to exert his powerful influence as Gov
ernor to control the decisions made by other per-
sons, and in every instance he exerts this great
power for the benefit of his own pocket and
against honor and decency.
So it seems that the boys are better fitted for
self government than the men, at least in New
York, provided the Governor represents the men,
And perhaps that is not strange. The boys have
not yet unlearned the lessons of truth and hon.
esty that they were taught when loving parents
hoped to help them to worthy manhood They
have notion that it is better to fail than to
swindle. better to be beaten than to be dishon-
est Would it not be on the whole a good thing
for the State if it's Governor could be obliged to
90 to school again, and thus to learn once more
what every decent boy is taught?