The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-31
ALDRIDGE NOT CULPABLE.
so COZ. ROOsEVELT DECLARES TO
STEUBRN COUNTY FARMERS.

| Declares that the Canal Charges We're 'In-
| famous Lies and Observation-Disclosures His
| Course in tho Canal scandals-A Speech
BavorinE the Gospel of Hard Work.
HoRNELLsv1LLE. N. Y. Aug 3O-Gov. Roose-
| welt to-day acquitted former Superintend dent
OF Public Works George w. Aldridge and his
assistants from blame in connection with
criminal management OF the canals. The Gov
ernor. while speaking to an audience OF over
10000 people at the fair grounds. and sspec-
Tally to Civil War veterans. was interrupted by
farmer who inquired:
" How about the canas2"
Hornellsvlle Is in Steuben. one OF the south
ern tier counties opposed to nearly everything
which smacks OF canals. and the question was
not surprising. When the Governor heard IL
he appeared to be perturbed He turned
about on the platform. shaking his fist in .
vehement manner
That Is all right to ask. even though you're
not quito sober" said the Governor quickly in
replying to the interruption by the farmer.
But am glad to have a chance to answer that
question or any other question that can
be put to mo about my actions as Governor.
came into Office and found accusations
pending against work OF the officials. I made
up my mind that that matter should be probed
to the bottom. l appointed the best lawyers
could get Who? Republicans? No. because
l knew while could get Republicans who
would do the work. yet the mean, small souls
would not belevethey had done the right thing.
lappointed. sir. two OF the best Democrats l
could get. first OF all tried to get Mr.. John @.
Milburn OF Buffalo. leader OF the bar OF west
ern Now York. He couldn't take It.
l then tried to get Dan Lock-
wood. also OF Buffalo. Democratic
Congressman. a man OF stain less character.
but he could not take 1t and put in two OF the
best Democratic lawyers 1 could get from New
York one OF whom was President Cleveland's
District Attorney.
They had everything to gain from getting
conviction. II a conviction could be gotten.
They had not party ties. save such as bind
every man to find men guilty II they
could be found guilty. There was hes
itancy-Ssnator Sherwood will remember
the circumstance-there was a hesitancy
at one time In getting an amount from the
Legislature to insure their being able to
do their work. pledged them would raise
the money myself. II necessary out Of
my own pocket and from among my own
friends. and give every ounce OF aid
that could be given every opportunity possible.
l said 1 want you to probe the matter to the
bottom. l want you to follow up any guilty
man. even though that man be found closest
to me in the Executive Chamber
These two men. my party opponents. from
whom demanded nothing but that IL there
was legitimate reason to bring to Justice any
man OF my own party or any other party it
should be done and they should be brought
to Justice They had the time, they
had the money. they had the aid OF
the best counsel in the State. and they found
that the charges made by you and your type
were infamous lies and ISLANDERS and 30 de-
clared Now. ladies' and gentlemen. will
explain. While l always try to avoid having
any difficulty. l am perfectly able. whenever
the occasion arises. to defend myself"
The Governor then. in his significant man
ner. turned about on the platform and directed
his remarks particularly to the young men.
There IL another thing" he continued
besides honesty that you need; you need
courage. don't care how honest q man TO- II |
he Is afraid he does not amount to much in
public or private life. nice. good man who |
sits at home in his own parlor resolving how |
very bad the world Is and saying what pity it |
is not to be up to his stan dard. does not |
amount to much. l won't say he 10 a detrment.
but he Is an awful nuisance You have got to |
have courage II you are going to mako yourself |
count In the fight for Righteousness 1t is |
something more. A man has to be game, got |
to be decent. got to be something more for |
don't care how brave he is. how honest II he is |
n natural fool YOU can't do anything with him.
You have got to have not only courage and |
honesty. but you have got to have capacity TO |
enable you to see what is to be done and set |
about doing 1t in the right way.
Now. you here have got and must see that |
your representatives possess honesty cour-
age and common sense. or you can't expect
that they will do you credit. The man in this
who does not work is not only a |
traitor to the community but he is
tenfold traitor and amounts to
nothing. Work Is thu law OF lie. 1t is not the
nan who has the easy life who is to be enviaN.
Call up In your minds the great Americans. l
won't tell them. hut you know them the great
Americans whom you would like to havo been,
whom you would like to have your cons Ire
,emble. and who are tho men whose blood you
would be proud to have running in your veins
How many OF them had lives Of leisure? Not
one not man OF them.
Men In your war fought for years. men In
ny war fought for months You had the priv
lege OF doing what no other Am orleans before
,r since had the privilege OF doing. Do |
,ity you because you had that chance?
envy you. With all my heart I envy
'ou. l would give anything to have
myself served as you served. to have had tho
light to feel as you foel about this country.
Pity you? The man who pites you is SO low
lHu pase uoeS HOt ueScTNo tn6 name OF |
American citizenship
But we respect you. That is the feeling
II decency OF those who have come after
'ou. Honor and praise to the man who
trives. and to the man who works and |
trtves to mako that work count not only |
or himself. but for his fellows shame to |
he men who do not work Double and
reble the shame to the man whose father
made money who does not himself feel that
hat fact entails upon him a heavier RESPONSE
'ility OF work for the country. Shame upon
lin But you need not hate him. you can do
What Is worse-you con safely despise him.
oh. my fellow citizens. you. tho people OF
his State. you. the men OF the farms who rep
esent that which Is closest to the early Ameri-
an character as 1t was in the days of Washing
on, as 1t still was In the days OF Lincoln,
ou here have heavy responsibility. 1t rests
With you to hand down to the generations that
re to follow you the undimmed qualities you
Inherited from your forefathers. You saved the
ountry In time OF war. your children must
"a T. . IA