New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-30

THE GOFERNOR'S "GENUINE REFORMS'
Mr. Hughes paid a well deserved tribute when
he said In his telegram to Governor HIGGINS,
acknowledging congratulations: "All good cit
liens recognize the genuine reforms achieved by
your administration" Some observers who
frankly admit the extent and reality of the re-
forms seem curiousy unwilling TO give credit TO
the Governor for his share in them, even when
the record shows that he was prime mover for
them Our neighbOr The World" for example,
commenting on Mr.. Hughes's telegram says:
All good citizens recognize the genuine
forms. but Governor Higgins has made il difficult
to recognize his constructive part in this brilliant
record Of achievement. The genuine reforms are
there-the insurance investigation. the insurance
legislation the act prohibiting corporations from
contributing to political campaign funds. the bill
compelling publicity OF campaign Contributions
and expenditures, the gas investigation, the ST.
cent gas law, the act abolishing secret lobbying
the stock transfer tax. the act destroying Death
avenue the good roads law and the amend
ments which wiped out the worst OF the Ralnes
law hotels Governor Higgins seems 10
have been little more than a spectator OF this
panorama of reform
Let us review for a moment the history of
these reforms. Consider the insurance investiga-
ton and subsequent legislation. The investiga-
ton begun in response 10 a request from
Governor Higgins. He has been criticised for
his delay in making that request but that delay
was the one thing which made thorough inves-
tigation under Mr. Hughes possible. If com
mittee had been appointed earlier, the men like
Senator Armstrong who made it clean and thor
ough would not have been on 1t A committee
under the control Of the insurance lobby would
have been appointed, and its work would have
been practically directed not by Charles e
Hughes. but by Andrew Hamilton. The Gov
ernor waited until he could control the situation
for good before he acted, and then his action
was prompt and decisive. At every stage Of the
investigation he supported Mr.. Hughes and Sen
ator Armstrong. When attempt was made
to emasculate the insurance bills and an anti
publicity amendment went through the Senate
it was the influence of Governor Higgins, and
his alone, which turned the tide and forced
through the bills in the form desired by Mr..
Hughes.
The act prohibiting corporations from contrib
uting 10 campaign funds was recommended by
Governor Higgins in his annual message last
January. Before the insurance committee had
made its report respecting the evil he declared
that no corporation existed (which includes
among its lawful purposes the right to donate
"its moneys to influence an election" The
measure was put through in accordance with his
request and signed by him. In that message
he also recommended legislation compelling
the publicity of campaign contributions and eX
penditures, and he favored the bills to abolish
lobbying The stock transfer tax was Il measure
favored and signed by him in 1905 In Il special
message TO the Legislature in 1905 he recon-
mended the SO-cent gas law, which was defeated
by the lobby in that Legislature. He renewed
the recommendation in his annual message this
year, and finally by personal efforts overcame
the opposition 10 ii. The amendments to the
Raines law wiping out the sham hotels were
passed with the aid Of an emergency message
from him. and his active influence was likewise
eXeTted TO clear the tracks from Eleventh ave-
nue. and to promote good roads legislation.
Every one of these reforms which The World
enumerates was achieved with the aid of Gov
ernor Higgins, and scarcely one of them could
have been put through without the active exer-
ton of his influence. At the close Of the SEES
sion last spring "The World" declared: The
record of the present Legislature is the best that
this political generation has known" 1t was
able 10 give that praise only because Governor
Higgins had steadfastly supported the honest
men in the Legislature, used his influence to Sc
cure a Speaker devoted TO reform and steadily
resisted the efforts of the lobbyists to block good
legislation Mr.. Hughes knew what he talk
ing about when he sent his telegram.