The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-26
Governor Roosevelt.

Col. ROOSEVELT demands rightfully that
as Governor he shall have the support and
assistance OF every man active in Republi-
can politics in preserving and strengthen
ing the unity and harmony now existing in
the party. Two years hence comes the
great election OF 1900, when the welfare of
New York and the whole Union will require
that there shall be such harmonious and
undivided effort on the part of all the Re
publicans OF the State in order to assure its
continuance on the side Of sound and pro-
gressive national policies.
Governor ROOSEVELT will enter into his
great office at the beginning Of next year
after a tuition in public life and an expert
ence in politics which nave given a matur-
ity to his Judgment and a sobriety to his
character which will conduce powerfully to
the advantage of his party. He will be re-
strained by no pledges, and no ante-election
complications will interfere with his render
ing to IL the most valuable service possible
by drawing to his Administration the re-
spect OF the people byreason of its honesty,
efficiency, and sagacity.
Happily there are not now any angrily
disputed questions OF State policy likely to
open either the Governor or the Republican
party to prejudiced misconception. The
Democratic party in the late campaign was
able to raise no purely State issues which
were not artificial or so obviously insincers
that they received little respect from the
citizens. The large vote obtained by it ex-
pressed nothing except partisan prejudice
purely. Under the impulse OF heavy con-
tributions promised by the brewing inter
est, more particularly, it made an assault
on the Raines law, but that actually it
would have. used its power to repeal the
law, even II it had elected the Governor and
the Legislature, was never probable. The
Democrats merely made a pretence OF rails
ing the issue as a campaign cry, with a view
to conciliating the liquor interest for the
time being. The Raines law has been too
successful as "A revenue measure and in re-
ducing general taxation for any party
now to venture upon the experiment OF ex-
punging it from the statute book. It has
proved in practice to be the most salutary
and effective liquor legislation in the his
tory of the State, and consequently it is
popular. Common sense teaches that the
consumers OF beer and liquors have only
ground for satisfaction that a question SO
long IA cause OF political disturbance has
been settled so successfully.
The "canal frauds" were pushed forward
by the Democratic party as a means OF
getting power, but, OF course, no inteIli-
gent and reasonable citizen really looked
seriously to that source for canal reform.
Whatever else may be charged Justly
against Tammany. it has never been a pre-
tender to a virtue it has not. Reform" Is
not in its line. Nobody in thisS State doubts
the purpose OF Mr.. ROOSEVELT to bring to
the light any wrong there may have been
In the canal improvement, without fear or
favor, and the will to right it not less deter
minedly. The reputation OF the Republi-
can party will be involved in that Of the
State Administration, and, with the mo-
mentOuS election of 1900 before II, its
leaders and representatives will be COM
PEELED by the instinct of self-preservation to
give the Governor united and single-hearted
countenance and assistance in accomplish
ing the result.
Governor ROOSEVELT, on his side, ac-
knowledges a grave responsibility to his
party. 1t gave him its support at the
election without a trace of ~factious divis-
ion, trusting him absolutely. His sagacity,
tactful consideration and prudent reserve
will be expended in maintaining the con-
cord and making use OF 1t to secure a record
upon which to win public respect and conf
dence in the campaign two years hence.
1t is a great opportunity for both Mr..
ROOSEVELT n the Republican party.