New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-18
NO HALL BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD TIE
ROOSEVELT ADMIRERS.

entertained Al DOtn there were odiuS Va
music, gee clubs and an abundance of en-
thusiasm. Colonel Roosevelt and Lieutenant
Governor Woodruff spoke at both meetings. The
other speakers were John Proctor Clarke ana
General Stewart L. Woodford. Meredith b. Lit
tie. president Of the club presided at the large
meeting and at the other Daniel b. Keefe was
chairman.
Colonel Roosevelt was received with great
demonstration when he appeared at each meet
ing, as were General Woodford and Lieutenant
Governor Woodruff Colonel Roosevelt said in
part:
I realize fully that have been nominated for
Governor because the mass Of my fellow Republi-
cans showed their belief that | should be noml-
mated. And exactly as | know that / owe my
nomination to the people So II ] am elected.
shall feel that owe my election TO the people and
to the people shall hold myself accountable for
tho administration OF the great office intrusted TO
my hands. And shall strive so TO administer it
"a to make each citizen OF New-York feel little
prouier at the end OF my term OF Office that he is
citizen Of New-York.
LABOR LEGISLATION.
want 70 thank you for the way you have greeted
me. Now word to what we have grown 10
call the interests OF labor. SO far possible.
hope always to treat the interests Of every as
DO those OF every other that Is 20 treat all
to recognize that In the complex conditions Of
modern life it IS necessary certain points 10
consider the interests Of men In groups. Workmen
who work primarily with their hands form a great
body with peculiar and special interests This be-
Ing the fact, IL IS wise to recognize H. for it IS al
ways wise 10 recognize facts.
During the last 1fteon years most Cf us have.
think. seen good deal of light upon these labor
problems ! know that fifteen years ago ! shrunk
from taking part In or steps for the revolution
which now believe TO be wise and proper 1t took
me some time to realize that II was wise 10 abolish
the convict contract-abor system and 20 regulate
the hours OF labor under certain conditions stlll
hold as strongly as held then that selfhelp is the
first requisite and that man must always rely
chiefly upon his energy. perseverance. skill
and thrift But recognize now. did not recog
nize and as few people recognized then, the very
great good that can be accomplished by men act
ing IN combination with each other In the form Of
trades-unions or otherwise.
But furthermore the aid OF the state often
with wisdom be invoked. The State should never
be called upon TO Interfere unless certain
that the end Is good. and that It cannot be well
attained without State Interference; but II these
facts established. then It becomes our duty to
that IN, State does interfere and general
law be laid down that VIII apply 20 al! cases
Each must be judged on its merits. ana We must
follow neither the doctrinaire who would have the
State do everything or that othe. doctrnaife who
right TO establish system OF factory Inspections
We have the riga. 10 make and enforce laws
against sweatshops In tenement houses. II IS right
10 take such steps for the same reason 10 establish
a police and fire system, when the growth OF the
community reaches a point when It IS no longer de-
sirabe 10 leave to each man the protection OF his
own property
WHEN HIS VIEWS CHANGED.
Ny attention first wildly drawn to these
ry
legislature II was in connection with bill pro-
hiJiting the manufacture OF cigars In tenement
houses. Like many other young men. had been
trained In what styled the Manchester otool
Of political economy and started In my lnvesiiga-
lions with the theory that the State shout! not in
terfcre with what olthcr landlord tenant did in
the building. After thorough investigation | be-
came convinced that the tenement-ho house cigar fac
tory system was productive OF great evils. both to
those who their Immediate victims and to
their competitors outside. and took the lead In
working FOR its abolition.
1t VAS this that first set me 70 study the labor
problems and the problems OF lie in the quarters
~ our big cities from which certain bodies % our
laborng chiefly drawn. have not studied
them from the standpoint either OF the heorist or
the political demagogue. ] have been over them at
first hand and with various leaders and Organizers
Of the different tradcs-unons | became convinced
tina, it was necessary TO have the state interfere
positions.
THE REPUBLICAN RECORD
am happy to say that the great bulk OF tho
legislation beneficial TO the interests OF the work
ingmcn has been put or our statute books during
the Last four years. while Mr. Morton and Mr..
Black have been Governors. and while the State
has been controlled by the party To which belong.
The hours Of labor have been widely limited: the
workingman has been given preferred claim for
his wages over all debtors the safety Of working
men employed IN dangerous trades. Ike those
which involve the Use OF scanoiding has been
cured: the competition Of the convict has been
guarded against; rigid provisions have been made
to lessen the evils Of work IN swcatshOps and TO
protect the health and comfort OF those who work
In their own rooms In tenoment-houses; similar
laws have been established for the benefit of those
I employed I'm bakeries and mines 1t has also
been provided since the Republicans came into
power that the State should not directly or in
directly pay less rate of wages than the current
rate.
There many Of these laws about which
should have felt very doubtful fifteen years ago.
! have paid some attention to their workings now
and am convinced that they do good The
State should be model employer TO It's en-
ploycs. It should insist upon getting the very best
quality Of work. but it should give the workman
good wages, and see that while at work his we'll
being Is guarded. Moreover. IT must that the
laws affecting the laboring man outside OF his
relations with the State are carried out in spirit
and letter. In some municipalities these laws
have been violated with impuniy. and this can
not lie prevented whore the municipal authorities
refuse to enforce them; but SO far the State
has power II must and shall that these laws
are enforced. There H. now less need Of further
legislation than there IS Of giving fair trial 10
the laws already the statute books By seeing
that tney enforced.
WORK Oh THE HEALTH BOARD.
Here again ask merely that you should gauge
my present promise by M past performance.
WA for two years The Ncw-York Health Board.
and if yoI examine our record FOR those two years
you will see that never before since such