New-York tribune., 1902-07-14

Governor Whether this is the result of policy or
a mere matter of chance is of no consequence; the
fact remains that. should Governor oden again
accept the Republican nomination, he would re-
ceive most unusual honor at the hands of his
party. That he deserves the honor no Republican
can doubt and that he would be elected to succeed
himself is about certain anything can be.
AS the time for the nomination of candidates for
Governor draws near it is but natural that Gov
ernor OdelTs administration should be subject TO
review by all who are interested in State affairs
and to criticism by those who, by temperament or
party affiliations are dissatisfied with whatever
Republican administration may be in power. Taxing
the two years of the present Executives admins
traton together reasonably fair critic will admit
that the Governor is entitled to praise for his busi-
nesslike administration. The following. in any
event, may aid those in doubt to form favorable
opinion of that administration.
When Mr.. Roosevelt assumed the office of Gov
ernor of the State of NewYork. on January 1. 1892
he brought into the Executive Chamber a char
acter sharply in contrast with that of his two Re-
publican predecessors. Mr.. Morton, by the very
reason of his age. and through the training re-
ceived in the many high offices he had held. was
of quiet dignhed manners. but al the same
time without any particular brillianey. Mr.. Black.
who had acquired for himself the well deserved
reputation of indomitable political fighter. had
disappointed many by his action on the Civil Ser
vice law II must be said. however. that he has
never. even by Republicans been given the credit
he deserves for his energetic support of the Pri-
mary Election law in 1888. law which has led
thousands of to enroll under the Republican
emblem who formerly would have nothing to do
with that party at its primary contests.
Mr.. Roosevelt entered upon his duties in blaze
Of glory. His military performances in Cuba, his
brilliant campaign during the fall Of 1885, the gem
eral halo Of great expectations. the memory of his
career fifteen years before in the Assembly Cham
ber and the universal goodwill of every one In the
State-everything conspred to make his career as
Governor interesting and almost certainly success
full There was one political drawback-the small
majority OF the Republicans I'm the Senate. But in
that Senate the Republican leader. Colonel Els
worth, and Senator Stranahan. the present Col
lector of the Port of New York who was chairman
Of the Cities Committee. together with Senators
Higgins. White, Humphrey. Brown. Krum and
others. gave him support which. If perhaps at
first surprise TO some not well versed In politics
was always loyal These men never failed the
Governor In real trouble. and he was successful.
With Mr.. Roosevelts Inauguration the tide of
Republican power. which had begun to ebb. grew
stronger. and that strength kept increasing until
In 1900 the Republican party, it had done in 1896
again swept the Democrats of their feet In the
wonderful second Mckinley campaign and elected
Mr.. Odeh Governor with an overwhelming ma
Jority in both branches Of the legislature
HIN inauguration was ver~ different from that
of Governor Roosevelt There was no military or
other glory attached to Mr.. Odells name He was
best known as the very able and successful chair
MN OF the Republican State Committee claim
fng nothing for himself. asking rewards de-
manding the same kind Of work OF the men under
him which he himself gave TO campaigns sparing
but sincere In his praise. and sharp and just in his
criticisms. AS he stepped forward on the plat
form at Saratoga to speak after he had been nomi-
mated. he was clearly nervous and in at ease. But
his brief wordsin singular contrast with the brill
liant speech Of Governor Black-won him the re-
spect and confidence of many doubling voters: not
for the manner in which they were delivered but
for their meaning and the evident sincerity which
they conveyed 70 the audience For naturally the
thought had come to many people: What kind of
a Governor VIII this practical politician maker
This question, repeated by many January 1. 1901
was answered on January /, lSaa all over the
State by the New Years greeting OF thousands OF
good citizens to Mr. OdelI: ''wen done Governor
In contrast t. his predecessor. Governor OdeI is
decidedly silent man. He does not care much
for public speaking. In which. however. he has
made great strides since 1900 and at times he ia
tactturn to the point of almost Irritating those who
are talking with him. This trait not unlike the
well known characteristic of General Grant might
lead one 10 suppose that he was sensitive or
quick OF feeling. The contrary, however Is the
case. Mr.. Roosevelts buoyant temperament en-
abed him to throw OF the of his office with
reasonable ease. Governor Odelrs seriousness has
Just the other effect and II things not quite
right he Is apt to be much disturbed. He takes
things hard. but he works harder TO get them
right He has very decided sense Of humor In
conversation he is good listener asks few ques-
tions, but those always to the point wastes little
time over side issues. and wishes the main ques-
IS
readily accessible Governor Roosevelt the
latch string of whose official door hung out to
every one at all times. Nevertheless Mr.. Oden
gave every one he did see ample hearing as
was necessary during the legislative sessions of
1901 and 1902. He is OF determination and
hrmness. and. without the outward show of fight OF
Mr. Roosevelt. no less combatIve. when driven to
night need but instance his stand on the
State police question. AS man. he is entitled to
the respect of every one. and unquestionably has
that respect for his integrity. his honor his in
teilgence and his common sense
Coming now to Governor Odelrs administration
for it is by his public acts that politician is
judged at the tribunal OF the polls will be seen
that his administration reflects his character in
nearly every respect
In an article In The Tribune. I'm May 1900, / re-
ferred to the domination OF the legislature by Gov
ernor Roosevelt. Governor Oden very quickly as
sumed even more than his predecessors to control
legislation from the Executive Chamber. out OF
which came many OF the important hills or
were submitted to his approval than to Governor
Roosevelt. before being introduced. but he used
the veto power far more frequently and yerv .rrec
lively. Governor Roosevelt rarely vetoed a rosss
ure. usually preferring to allow members to with
draw bills. very kindly way of making a die
agreeable act reasonably acceptable. II was of
course usually easy to ascertain what bills had
Governor Odelrs sanction. but times bills were
dubbed the Governors measures In which he had
no special interest and this done sometimes
considerably to his annoyance
The greatest fault with this system of IessIatin,
from the Executive Chamber. however convenient
II may be, is that men are led support bills for
reasons other than because they really beava A.,
their merits Opposition to such bills Is too read
ily put down by the powers which guide the Ieeis
lative bodies as personal opposition TO the execu-
tive. But this is a most unfair charge tn roaLa
Gf fBA ma, ,Ha-- 20,