The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-20
Political Sincerity.

The campaign Of Charles E. Hughes
for the governorship of New York mas
struck new note in political discus
sion. Mr.. Hughes went into the battle
with but little knowledge Of campaign
ing. His first speeches were rather la
bored, and his attempts to put his views
before the people fell rather fiat, be-
cause he was overscholastic in state
ment. AS he proceeded, however, 1T
became apparent that Mr.. Hughes was
not incapable. He was not merely
technical lawyer, who had found HIM
self out Of place. He was feeling his
way. All at once the campaign struck
fire. Hearst in one of his wild TRADES
accused Hughes Of being a corporation
lawyer. Now the facts happened to be
that Mr.. Hughes had a general practice
and that his big cases, in which ne
earned his big fees, were cases where
he represented the state against the
corporations. Mr.. Hughes took up the
matter and defended himself from the
charge, and then turning savagely on
Mr.. Hearst pilloried him before the
whole state as the owner of about a
dozen corporations, one of which was
Jersey holding corporation Of the
Northern Securities kind. Then ap-
pealing to the people he said: "The
issue in this campaign is political sin
cerity. I am not running for governor
2scause l. wanted to hold office or be-
csase any bosses have made me can
didate I am running because I be-
! lieved it to be the wish Of the people
that T should take this nomination. l
have not one set of opinions for the
campaign and another for the conduct
Of my business.
Mr.. Hughes went on to heighten the
contrast between the anti-corporation
editorials in Mr.. Hearst's newspapers,
and the acts of the Hearst corporations.
It all went to show Hearst as an insin-
cere denagog ready to. play any part
II before the public which would bring
& him votes, and ready to play any part
in private which would save his COM
panies from paying rightful taxes or
proper damages at law
The issue of political sincerity ap-
peals to the people Of New York. 1t
ought to appeal to the people Of every
state and city in the country, which
must vote for officials this fall.
It ought in particular to appeal to
the people of Minneapolis, who are
face to face with two candidates fol
mayor, both claiming to be devoted tc
h law enforcement. On the surface both
candidates look alike. But the people
are quite likely to look under the sur
face this time and test the sincerity OF
Jones they will find is the man who en-
forced the laws. Mr.. Haynes is the
man who promises he will enforce then
next time. Mayor Jones is the
man who has put public gambling
down. Mr.. Haynes is the man who ridi
cules the efforts Of his opponent to dc
that, but says while it cannot be done
4 he will try his best if he is elected.
The sincerity of the utterances of thu
two men is in question. What cal
reasonably be expected Of either on,
y in case of his election is the issue.
On the point Of what may be ex
pected the letter Of Walter N. Carol
to the Tribune may be Of some value t.
voters who are conscientiously seek
ing to discriminate between the claim
Of the candidates.
g Mr.. Haynes as mayor was possesse'
Of the most discouraging inertia which
has ever beset public official. TIL
unvarnished recital of facts and figure
Of the awful wineroom and low div
theater conditions which obtained Whe!
he was mayor, failed to budge him al
inch
Mrs. Alice Hogan Rice has invested tn
money she got out Of her cabbage patel