New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-11
PLEDGES THAT COUNT.

The Democratic managers who maze ar
rangements at Syracuse for campaign on
State issues are not quite as well pleased WITH
the situation as they expected TO be- BENG u
man of intelligence. Colonel Roosevelt is aware
that an election which Is to fill thirty-four seats
In the House of Representatives and determine
whether or not Senator Murphy shall succeed
himself cannot be and ought not to be decided
without reference to great National Issues; be-
ing an honest and straightforward man. he
calls attention TO that fact on every suitable
occasion. Hut the Republican candidate for
Governor is not in the least averse to letting
friends and enemies know what sort of admin
istration of State affairs he expects to have
the pleasure of giving them. The first thing he
said after hearing Of his nomination was that
he intended to serve the State and help his
marty by helping it to serve the state. Is II
said that this was natural and proper enough.
lint nerfunctory. after all? Well, at Carnegie
Hall last week he expanded the same thought
as follows:
SO far as In me lies shall see that every
branch Of the government under me Is adInh-
istered with integrity and capacity. and when
l deal with any public servant shall not DE
very patient with him if he lacks capacity, ana
short. indeed will be his shriit II ne iaSks III,
who misbehave and sternly refuse to let any
consideration either Of political or personal
friendship be treated an Offset to wrong
doing II is not very difficult to secure that hon
est administration which is Indispensable If our
Republic Is to endure.
Democrats are beginning to perceive that
Colonel Roosevelt. as a candidate for Governor,
is partial to straightout declarations of this
sort and perhaps they can be excused for wish
ing he were less incisive He did it again In
Brooklyn the other evening after this fashion,:
There is one thing. one test. on which shall
insist in every public officer with whom l ever
have anything whatsoever to do, ana that Is
rigid honesty. l feel that the two great prln-
ciples for this Nation nowadays are these
First to uphold the National honor abroad and
second and even more important. to insist upon
the highest standard of honesty at home AS
for the course that intend to pursue, 1t will
be modelled upon those very ancient rules or
conduct which you will find In the Ten Com.
mandments and the Golden Rule. And loyal
though i shall be TO the principles for which
l stand the party principles, there are one or
two rules of conduct that stand above any
party principles. and they are included in the
command, Thou shalt not steal, nor shalt thou
let any one else steal II thou canst help 1t.
Democrats viii find considerable trouble in
pretending that this is perfunctory and mean.
ingless. They know that 1t Is not. There are
a good many men in office and seeking office
from whose lips such words might issue with
out producing much impression. But In this
case they have a record behind them. They
count. They are entitled to be Judged, and
they are Judged by standard that Is fixed.
Colonel Roosevelt's supporters have found a
great deal of fault with him IN the past for
keeping his pledges. If he were not cand-
date for Governor they would never think Of
doubling that he would stand by any engage
ments into which he had entered or might en-
tor They really have no doubt that he will do
so, now that he is q candidate for Governor.
Nor do they dispute his capacity. In their
hearts they are convinced that If elected he
viii give the State Of NewYOrk all the people
of New-York a faithful, efficient. high-minded
adminstration--in fact, precisely the sort Of
administration they profess to want.