New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-05

merit alone should he the key for opening the
door to public service. He Is convinced that
The Civil Service Reform system can he made
20 apply in one form or another to every branch
If the service. and he means to convince the
Legislature and secure laws for that purpose
Governor Rooscvelt's recommendations con-
corning the National Guard are particularly
interesting. in view OF his actual experience OF
lis performances in the Spanish war. Every
body will agree with his views concerning
Springfield rifles and black powder which are
expressed in language closely parallel with his
well-known words in letter to the Secretary
OF War which his enemies tried so hard to
misintcrpret into an attack on the Guard He
will find general agreement also. we think,
with his views Of the unftnes Of National
Guardsmen for extended foreign service such
as the snallness OF our Regular Army COM
PEELED the country TO nsk them to undertake..
He Is right in thinking that the welfare Of the
National Guard and the Naval Militia depends
on proper extension OF the Regular Army and
Navy and. prcdlcating such Federal action as
will restore the State bodies TO their normal
functions. his idea is good one of considering
our State soldiers and sailors as organized for
domestic service. to be supplemented In case
who have taste for campaigning and the
freedom for IT, We hope his words Will do
good in relieving from undeserved reproach
Guardsmen who in the recent war did not
deem the crisis such rs to warrant them In
leaving home duties when there were thou
sands Of others anxious to 60 for whom there
was no call.
Much attention Is given to labor questions In
the message. and the sensible conclusion Is
reached that labor legislation will do no good
unless 1t IL enforced. and that. inasmuch as the
New-YOrk City government will not enforce
these laws. the Factory Inspectors should he
charged with that duty. The plan to abolish
sweatshops by putting on manufacturers the
burden Of showing that their factories are
suitable places for work Is also a wise one.
The Governors call for rapid transit and for
greater economy in the Shcriff's and other Of
fees in this city is timely. and his suggested
method Of limiting private legislation is worth
considering. In the mean time. he may pre-
sumably be relied on to save the State rs far
as possible from the evils Of over-legislation by
the exercise Of the veto power on every meas
ure not plainly shown to be Of positive useful
| ness.
Two principal subjects OF State interest are
reserved for future discussion by Governor
Roosevelt. They are the canals and the New
York City police system. He says enough
about them to show that he is fully alive to
their urgency and is on the side Of public
morality and good administration. He is doubt
less wise in this reservation. The police ques
ton is one to be divorced from all suspicion OF
partisanship and examined more carefully than
the limits Of general message would allow
and the importance OF maintaining the eff
cheney Of the canals protecting the commerce
Of the State and Fighting the wrongs OF past
mismanagement Is too great for satisfactory
treatment by new Executive. necessarily un
acquainted with details which can be pos
sessed by no man. however able and inteili-
gent, who has not given himself to the study
Of the subject at close quarters and with Off
cal authority.