New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-03
THE INAUGURATION.

Governor Black never appeared 10 better "u
vantage than in the short speech transierrihg
the Chief Magistracy OF the State to his sue
cessor Nor did Governor Roosevelt ever sho"
more clearly the straightforward, manly quar-
ties. free from all pretence and equlvocatioh'
which have gained for him his wonderful pop
ularity than in the brief reply which ne Haue
on taking ND the reins Of government NoDod!
can doubt that Governor Black spoke from MS
heart and put into his words feelings deepened
by experience of the trials and temptations as
well rs Of the triumphs and opportunities OF
the Executive Office. He Is broader, Wiser
man than he was two years ago. as Il inan
could hardly fail to be who whatever his MIS-
takes. was animated by the sincerity, honesty
and answering firmness In his own DeileIs
which characterized Governor Black quite as
Enthusiastically at times when his policies seemed
TO us to be wrong as when they were righ'.
In his welcome to Governor Roosevelt he SHOWS
An understanding of the forces and the sent-
ments which made Theodore Roosevelt poliu-
cal possibility and an appreciation or the value
10 the State of those forces and sentiments
such as he could not have been expected 10
possess until experience had modified the hoh-
esty held doctrines Of strictly partisan power
and responsibility in which he had been trained.
Experien.e did modify them. and the picture
which he draws Of the NewYork of his hopes
and Of an ideal administration for his successor
;s one which might be the limit Of that sue
cessors aspiration without disappoih'iheh' ~
those who expect most OF him.
Governor Roosevelt did not attempt to out
limo detailed policy In State affairs. He will
soon have message to send TO the Legis-
discuss
ures In that document His speech was Drie1.
conservative and absolutely unsensatlonal, as
it should have been. 1t might pass for the
conventionaly appropriate occasional auu'ess'
II is that but it is something more. The ear
nestness in every part takes the speech out Oh
the class of the commonplace and gives 1t an
Importance independent of its brevity anu SIN
plicity as a declaration OF purpose and revela-
ton Of the spirit with which the new Governor
assumes his duties lie has before declared him
self along this line, and what he says COMES aS
no surprise. but IT is good to have that attitude
again EXPRESSED in the solcmnlty Of an ihaus"-
ration ceremony.
The essentials of Governor Rooseve!ts pohcy
are declared in his speech. lie Is party ilah'
he intends TO work with his party and be loyal
TO it In all things that belong to It, but he VIII
never render to party what belongs 10 the state
and the State is the first considerations ii Is
evident that no iconOclast need expect the Gov
ernor to use his power to break down parties.
as some of the people who once thought they
wanted to support him and then thought 'he!
did not were inclined to hope 1t is equally
evident that no party man need expect the GOV
ernor TO take any step or make any appoint
ment no matter what the party necessity or
the personal pressure. which Is not the pest
thing he knows how to do for the interest OF
the State. With that determination as the key
note Of his policy. it makes little difference
what special measures are TO look for from
him. We know the spirit which will be behind
them. and that IS the essential thing 1t Is not
A Governor who will 90 this or that particular
act who is wanted, but Governor VINO VIII
hiring TO every task a high character. earnest
purpose. lofty aims and large intelligence Gov
ernor Roosevelt not only promises to bring TO
the work those qualities. but he convinces peo-
ple that he means TO keep and will keep his
promise.