New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-24

INVESTIGATIONS AND THE GOVERNOR
The clearly genuine surprise Of Governor
Higgins at learning on his return from Wis
consin Of the general misconsUuction Of his
attitude toward legislative investigation ex
acIly harnonlzes with his reputation for trans
parent sincerity and straightforward honesty.
That his views and purposes have been mis-
construed IS beyond question. but, as The Trib-
une has said, such misconstruction was almost
inevttab Bile Any man aged in q deep game
Of politics would have foreseen IT and guarded
against IT, With a simplicity and directness
which did credit TO his conscious rectitude Of
purpose rather than 10 his political geperal-
ship, the Governor took the public into his
confidence, expecting that the views put forth
IN his behalf would be taken exactly for what
they were-a statement Of the law, concern
ing which there was much loose talk. He did
not take into account the fact that his enc
mics both in and out Of the party would be
less simply honest than himself and could be
counted upon TO misrepresent everything which
he said or did. If he had shared their DISPOSE
ton sufficiently TO realize its consequences he
would never have given them the opportunity
10 CRY that he was trying 10 shield the state
departments from the light and block the
work Of legislation. Despite his disclaimer Of
any such intent the misrepresentation will, OF
course continue. and for a time viii have its
unfortunate effect, but we have no doubt that
the fundamental integrity Of the Governors
character will in the long run stand out above
al such misconceptions. as the people find him
in every detail Of his official action unQues-
uonabIy choosing what he believes the right
IF Governor Higgins had been in the slightest
degree q demRgOgue he would have made a
play 10 the galleries instead Of inviting his enc
mics 70 do SO and at the same time TO place
him in false position
The notion that q legislative committee is
proper instrument for exposing and Furnishing
individual wrongdoeCs is mischievous. The
Armstrong committee at the beginning Of its
work warned the public that its business was
not 10 search for scandals Il sought only in
formation bearing on legislation. The scan
dsls il uncovered were incidental Mr.. Pound
promulgated exactly the same doctrine when
there was talk Of turning the legislature into
q jynching bee for the execution Of sentences
already imposed on various officials by the
suspicious and insinustons Of sensation mOng-
ers. Il was evidently meant by the Governor,
as was Senator Armstrong; statement OF last
August, merely 70 define 10 an undiscriminat-
ing public what might and what might not
rightly be expected from legislative investga-
ton and 70 forestau unTea sonable demands.
We said some days ago that we did not be-
lleve the Governor would oppose any invest
cation likely 70 be Of service 10 the state.
He now makes il clear that he never intended
70. He has no friends TO protect and no enc
mics 70 punish II he had he never would have
adopted such means Of protecting OF punish
Ing He was and is properly anxious 10 keep
the attention Of the lawmakers and the people
centred on real works Of reform already under
way. feeling that a few things accomplished
are better than many things begun.
he has set himself right on the question
about which ne was misrepresentation right
as those who nisrepresent him will yet allow
and the banking and perhaps some other de-
pa-ments will be investigated. That investi-
CATION should be thorough but Il should be
fair and the people should be as ready 70
praise good discovered as 10 condemn evil, and
should be on their guard against those whose
malice will lead them 10 proclaim every repu-
tarion ''whiteW0shed' which is not suIIied.
His enemies are already beginning 10 make
such insinuations in advance. so as 70 keep
their ammunition for political use whatever
may be the results Of the investigation. There
were those who said in the same way that the
Armstrong committee was Sinking It's duty
whenever a day passed without the ruin of
reDurar ton.