The evening times., 1899-03-17
PARTY MEN DESERT ROOSEVELT
The Rough Rider Governor Facing
Extremely Rugged ROasIA.

Extremely Rugged Roads.
Albany, N. Y, March 17.-"What has be-
come of the old time Rooseyelt?" is an in
quiry heard around the capitol nearly ev-
cry day as the session draws toward
close.
1t is drawn forth by a situation in the
Republican administration unpa! alleled,
when the man at the head OF it is consid-
cred and his reputation as friend CT the
people and bold, self-reliant fighter IN
their behalf is recalled.
The situation has to do with the appar-
ent failure of the first year of Governor
Roosevelts administration. PROMISED the
hearty support of Senator Platt when he
took the nomination of governor, he finds
himself near the end of the session of the
legislature deserted by his party and l
ms cherished measures tied up in one
house or the other of the legislature
Among the things which Governor
Roosevelt when he went into office sought
to bring about were reform in the police
department in New York city an absolute
! reform OF civil service, the passage of an
! honest primary bill. the passage of an
amendment to the constitution providing
Tor biennial sessions, a solution Of the
rapid transit situation for New York city
| ana the adjustment of useless commits
SONS and expensive special counsel Ee
also pledged his administration to re-
trenchment in public expenditures.
Apparently the governor will not have
the cooperation of the legislature in ac-
! conpiishing any of these reforms Without
the legislatures help he cannot accomplish
any one OF them. The civil servics bill
may be passed in some form, but not in a
|. iorn that will be satisfactory Police leg
isiation for New York city is dead unless
/ Sn to- -
makeshift primary bill may be passed
put II VIII not be an honest one The
biennial sessions amendment can hardly
get through the legislature No effort
Whatever has been made to abolish useless
offices and dispense with special counsel.
ana the stream OF extravaganza, gathering
In volume for the last five years under Re-
publican rule, is now so great that il can
not be damned
certainly 1t is not a pleasant spectacle
Tor the governor. Being something OF a
/ legislative expert, he knows what is go
ing on. He is aware Of the fact that the
great republican organization of the State.
instead or standing shoulder to shoulder
with him and bending its every energy
toward arousing public opinion and forcing
through the sordid senate measures which
ne deems good for the public and his party.
Is working night and day TO serve the
interests of the great corporations aud to
stine measures for tax reform which would,
more than anything else, relieve the bur-
dens OF the farmers throughout the State.
Apparently the governor is quiescent
! No one knows exactly why. 1t has been
/ charged by jealous enemies that like gov
! ernors before him. he had been wooed from
/ his natural impulses by the mirage of the
! White House 1t is being announced in ad-
| vance that he will sign the Astoria bill, to
| oDllse MIR. Root and as compensation TO
! Tracy, Boardman G. Platt for having insist
/ ed that the oleomargarine suits must go on.
/ II is no longer denied, however, that there
! mas come distance between Senator Platt
! and the governor. The governor apparent
/ ly Is just now seeking counsel from men
| who have never been known TO use their
! political influence and their talents for the
! benefit OF great corporations He seems
4 TO be turning from the law firms 10 Seth
Low