New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-04
HEARST: CONSERVATIVE.

The Bryan declaration for the government
operation OF railroads has driven Hearst on
new tack. lie opened his campaign yesterday In
Syracuse with 3 speech evidently intended TO
give the impression OF conservatism, and still
more evidently intended 20 marx the distinction
between himself and the week-agO idolized Ne
braska1. and 70 take advantage Of the chill
which Bryan's defiant radicalism has caused
among polite Democrats Il is curious 70 see
Hearst in the guise OF a conservative warning
against the dangers OF Bryan's extreme policy
yet we have the organizer and nnancier or the
public ownership movement here calling on the
public 10 90 slow about public ownership OF
railroads and warning them THAI 'it you will
mot take the trouble 10 elect men honest enough
Ito regulate publi- service institutions you may
not elect men honest enough and able enough
TO operate public service institutions" In the
sane spirit Of Cancellation 10 conservatives and
rivalry 10 Bryan. who has denounced protection
in all its forms. Hearst declares that -the pro
tective principle is valuable
Il il clesr that Hearst does not mean 10 give
mp his Presidential aspirations In favor OF
Bran. but is prepared 10 take advantage OF
every technical mistake OF his rival, and 10 suit
his principles 10 the exigencies Of the new stu
aJion. He =. OF course. still devoted 10 the
rights Of the people" but how gentle is his
cooiug about those rights IN his Syracuse speech
ia NtAi Pal iNNlt WIN iAe duouL lutll IA
The last few years, II the rural Democracy does
not adopt him as its candidate, II will not be
because be has not attempted to smooth away its
fears and present himself. not as the radical
and iconOclsst OF sOcialistic tendencies 50 well
known in New York, but as mere moderate
reformer, fired not by dangerous theories. hut
only by moral zeal
The Democratic convention draws near. and
the same practical philosophy which led Hearst
% treat Murphy with kindness so far he
could dictates his present conservatism. Doubt
Jess be would be glad TO put of his independent
nomination until after the Buffalo convention,
but that is impossible without the complete
alienation Of bis socialist and labor union adj
herents. who are already FESTIVE, IN view OF his
apparent desire 10 make terms with the DemOc-
racy. The necessity OF holding these elements IN
line viii probably force him 10 nominate full
ticket with one OF two former Republicans upon
il. and his campaigners will make the most OF
this as evidence OF his scorn for a regular nom
instion. No such gallery play, however. can
hide the strenuous iabors OF Hearst 70 win dele
gates 10 the Democratic convention. and the pre-
liminary nomination. even OF a full ticket. is
not One-hslf 50 dangerous for him IL looks.
II the Democratic party has departed from
its ancient traditions that IL can name Hearst.
even as the most regular Of Democrats. its sense
Of dignity viii hardly suffice to hold II back be-
cause bis campaign is based on the threat 70
oppose the party II IL will not accept him. II
the party can consent 20 accept him ar any time
under force OF such threats. Il will not much
care about the order IN which II takes its humil-
iation. and can indorse him as the actual IS
well as the prospective candidate OF a rival
ganiZation. II il can be blackmailed into in
dOrsing an independent candidate for Governor.
its sef-respect will not prevent IT'S indOrsng the
rest Of the ticket prescribed for It II need be.
Some substantial. though inconspicuous. CON
cessions in return could easily saIve the wounds
10 a party pride which was not founded on
virtue There are local Offices 10 be filed espe-
cislly judgeships. here and in other parts Of the
state and nominations for them will be made
after the state conventions. A Hearst indorse-
ment for conservative Democratic candidates for
these places might 60 far toward recOnciling
the party 10 looking on with complscency while
Hearst posed before his other followers as a
very Tsrtarin OF a hunter. not OF the Hon. hut
OF the donkey.