New-York tribune., 1900-07-18
A GOOD UPSTATE JUDGE"
LESLIE w RUSSELL. OF ST. LAWRENCE
PROPOSED FOR GovERNoR-HIs QUAIL
FICATIONs SET FORTH.


To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: In seeking for the proper candidate to take
up the mantle of Governor Roosevelt believe
the Republicans of New-York can prohtably dwell
upon the honored name Of Judge Leslie W. Russell
of ST. Lawrence County. There seems to be
well founded belief generally expressed through
out the press of the State that 1t would be at
least polite to select the candidate for Gov
ernor from up the State this year. and some up
State Judge has been especially desired. Governor
Morton and Governor Roosevelt have both practi-
cally hailed from New-York. with Governor Black
from Troy, while at the present time the Governor
and Lieutenant-Governora are both furnished by the
metropolis. 1t is the great Republican strongholds
OF the country that almost always go down to
Harlem with hundred thousand strong. 1t is they
who furnish the great Republican majorities, and
their wishes should be considered in this matter.
But II is partisan or mere sectional view that
they take.
Two things are conceded on an Sides First,
that the candidate must measure UP TO the Roose-
welt standard and, second, that a man must be
selected who will with the Mckinley and
Roosevelt electoral ticket The people of New
York-at least the Republicans Of New York-wiH
not be satisfied with any candidate to whom is at
tached, reasonably or unreasonabiy the suspicion
that he may possibly take If elected, any haltng
or backward step in the great work Of reform
auspiciously begun during the present administra-
ton. Like Ceesar's wife he must be above suspi-
cion Any candidate who does inspire
fdence that he will take up the burden where
Governor Roosevelt lays II down will be a weak
candidate. Such a nomination would not appeal
TO the independent voters who number tens of
thousands in this State. 1t is they who decide
elections. after ALL and IT is also conceded that this
great vote in the coming election will be cast for
Mckinley and Roosevelt. and that they will carry
the State by safe, If not large, majority.
Therefore. all that is necessary is to select
who will trot with the Presidential ticket. Nothing
more viii be asked expected. Any Republican
who has demonstrated his executive ability. high
purposes integrity and training, and who do
this. is the man to nominate. Both the standard
and eKpediency will then be consulted.
Leslie w Russell is widely and favorably known
to the people of New-York. He has been in public
life for nearly quarter of century in many ex-
aled and varied capacities. in all of which he has
demonstrated one of the keenest intellects and an
ability of the first order. Wherever he is known
he is respected for his answering integrity
edge. patriotism and conscientious and conspicuous
public service. AS Attorney-General of New-York
in 1Gs-'7e his record was above reproach, his de
cisions and attitude were Invariably correct and
sound and IT Is safe to say that the legal branch
OF the state government was never more ably ad-
ministered. He elected to Congress in 1890, but
the Supreme Court his depth OF learning is uni
versaly acknowledged while his decisions are i'm
Rppease an@ c5gT 59S being invariably by the
Justice Russell is a fine speaker, possessing a
ability, is Just honest upright and Of high
purposes. He could be relied upon to prosecute
faithfully the work begun by Governor Roosevelt
His Republicanism has never been questioned, and
while he has been active he has never been identi-
ned with partisan politics, distinct advantage
above all the other candidates mentioned, All fac
tons. II any exist, could unite upon him, and he
would poll a large share Of the Independent vote
He comes from rock ribbed and stalwart old ST
Lawrence, which has made Governors before and
which can be depended upon for ten thousand Re
In Judge Russell we have a, good upstate
Judge" an ideal candidate, in whom the required
standards of ability and eXpediency both united
What more could be desired
Antwerp. N Y. july y 1906