New-York tribune., 1904-10-05
Mr.. HIGGIYS'S SPEECH.

The dominant note in the speech of Mr.. Hlg-
gins accepting the nomination for Governor is
straightforward sincerity. He squarely faces
the issues OF the State campaign and deals with
them in unequvocal language. No unpreiu-
diced person. We think. will be able t. read his
address and not be convinced that here is an
Independent, honest man who means what he
says and says what lie means. and who has a
grasp Of the problems Of State government
which admirably its him for the executive
Office Air. Higgins Is his own master, and al
ways has been. The man who as a young mem
Der OF the legislature had the sand" 10 re-
sist newly inaugUTated Governor ana the
enormous pressure of his party organization and
vote against the confirmation OF Louis F. Payu
because his individual judgment did not ap-
prove the nomination can be trusted to make
good tie pledge TO The people which he gave
IN these concluding sentences OF his address:
The nomination at Sara tcga came to me with
out solicitation and without pledge 10 any man
OF 0lgaAization as 10 my future actions II elect
Cd G0veTuOr- : can therefore safely promise
The people OF the State that II elected. I shall
vote my time and best efforts 10 the dscharCe
OF The duties Of the 0isce. l Believe II 10 be
the duty OF The executive Of q State 10 hold TO
si4ct accountability every Official Of the State
government, ard ] shall not be deferred by po-
hucal or other considerations from a fuli and
conscientious discharge Of such duty. II shall
be my aim TO administer the affairs of the com
monWealth in such a manner as snail secure
the cleanest and best results, hewing always 10
the line, that the interests OF all the people
whose servant l would be are al al times con-
served. Suggestions will he welcome, die
tation repeiled, and in the end my indi-
viduRl judgment alone must determine nay
Official actions
That pledge is exactly in harmony with the
whole record Of Frank ". Higgins's official
career. he has always stood on nis own iudg-
lnent for What lie believed 10 be right He has
been an efficient economist and active in Sc.
curing 10 the State the value Of it's money
That is the true economy. The people do not
want 10 turn the course Of civilization back
ward, abandon good roads, modern hospitals
and improved schools, bud they want their work
10 be done under careful estimates and their
servants 10 be paid according to their service
To Mr. Higgins they owe the law forbidding
the oldtiDe endless deficiencies and baslng an
preparations or exact preliminary estimates
and likewise the law classifying public en-
ployes which promotes both saving and JUS
tice. No place puts independence and regard
for economy more 10 the test than the legis-
lature. The tradition is that the member who
wants TO get on must 60 with the organization
always and wink at his neighbours little scheme
Mr. Higgins always showed himself Repub
Ecan J. yal 10 his party principles. but he never
accepted that tradition Of getting on; his ad-
varceInent so far has been due TO his party's
need Of a man Of his high character.
IN his address Mr.. Higgins reviews the va
rious departments of the State government, and
with entire frankness expresses his opinions,
which are moderate, judicious. businessIike aud
progressive. He takes note OF the Dem cratic
campaign of mudslinging, and says Of the
charges Of corruption in the State administra-
ton: Were such charges true, l would not
be here to-day TO accept your nomination. No
body acquainted with the sterling h1nesty and
nigh solf-respect which have marked Mr.. Hig-
gins's whole life will doubt the exact truth Of
that statement. As be says. the Democrats.
after weeks of outcry. bring nothing specific
TO justify their sweeping Indictment. They
complain Of extravaganza and advocate the
very policies which call for the increased ex-
penditure. They talk about corruption and neg
lect u note how the veto has been used to kill
every bin that has seemed to have the taiut
Of graft upon it. Well NAV Mr.. Higgins re-
ply 10 the abuse of the Democrats directed
against his candidacy:
II was their evident hope in promulgating it
that the people Of the State had forgotten the
clrcumstanceS under which they were last driven
from power. am confident in the belief that
the people Will renember that the leadership OF
the Democratic party OF the State of NeW-YOrk
to-day Is the same when crimes against the
elective franchise were committed notably in
Albany and Troy; when the Senate OF the State
was stoleD' "hen the courts. through Demo-
cratic Judges, were Obliged 10 declare the Demo-
cratic State canyassing board in contempt for
refusing 10 ooey Inc mandates of the courts
directing them 70 canvass lawful returns made
ren now living can this leadership succeed be-
fore the people!
The whole speech denotes a true man. Mr..