New-York tribune., 1901-06-13
JUDGE PARKER ON REFORM.
FAvORS MOVEMENT WITHIN PARTY LINES
AS RULE. HE SAYS AT UNION


Schenectady. n. Y. June To-day was the 1O4th
commencement OF Union College. and the exercises
were attended by unusually large number Of
alumni and friends OF the institution. II was an
nounced that five thousand dollar scholarship had
been established in memory of the late Robert @
Alexander Editor and part owner Of The New
York Mail and Express" The exercises this morn
ing We're held in the First Presbyterian Church
Chief Justice Alton B. Parker. OF the Court OF
Appeals then delivered the honorary chancelIor's
address. in which he said in part:
Superficial observers Of present political condi-
tions. which often disclose local leadership 70
they possess S ecomph TesT9s Hostile hoe ree 70 I
public interests. frequently that there Is
and independent in politics: but If such per
sons sons would only sound the depths Of political his
ever great question of public Importance has
through the press and on the rostrun by the
educated thinkers of the country. who for the time
the organization leaders hasten to marshal their
forces lest their power shall be overthrown by the
II is lust as much the duty of patriot to con,
tribute of his effort SO far as practicable toward
improving government conditions in a government
Of the people, by the people and for the people
IL is his duty 20 bear in defence of his country
against an enemy in time OF war do not mean by
that OF course that the citizen should sacrifice his
vital business interests and the claim of his family
upon MIN for the public save in great emergencies
the direction mis- public services should take or as
to their extent TO the Judgment of others, however
contribute as much unselfsh effort toward the bet
termsnt of local conditions as circumstances and
his environment permit.
The inquiry naturally follows whether move
ment 70 improve local government can be best un-
dertaken and carried on within party lines with
out; My observation persuades me that gen.
eral rule useful measures be promptly
and effectively put In operation within party lines.
But there are exceptions the rule, notably in
great cities OF the country, where oftenttmes the
power incident to official places and the dis
burSement of large sums of money makes II posi-
bic 10 build up organization that If unwfseIy led
refuse to institute reforms In local government
because such reforms opposed by strong men
within the organization who might be unpeasantIy
affected by their adoption the settled policr of
the party. In such situations independent move
ments oftentimes afford only method Of bringing
about much needed improvements. Nevertheless, in
majority Of towns, cities. villages and counties A
wise measure boldly and persistently presented by
unsefsh public spirited citizens in whose sincerity
or purpose the people Interested have confidence.
until healthy public sentiment has been built up
IN favor of IL, will find or both party organza-
ttons ready 70 adopt il and 10 nominate for
local positions who will carry it out.
The following honorary degrees were conferred;
Doctor Of Laws, Alton B Parker. chief justice Of
the Court of Appeals. and the Rev. Almon Gun
ntson. president Of St. Lawrence University Doc
tor OF Divinity. the Rev. ]. Howard Hoyt '73 Of
New-Canaan. Conn., and the Rev. Daniel D. Addi-
son. Of BroOkne. Mass