New-York tribune., 1906-11-07
THE ELECTION OF mR. HUGHES


Sober sense predomlnates in New York, but
the state cannot lay any fattering unctiOn to
itself upon the overwhelming predominance Of
wisdom and sobriety. We had not concealed
our hope for such a defeat for Hearst as Bryan
experienced. While the verdict falls short Of
being as crushing as we feel that he deserved
and as we thought an indignant public would
make Ii. the handsome plurality by which Mr..
Hughes wins can offer no just encouragement
10 the ambitions of his adversary. Under ordi-
nary conditions in state elections midway be-
tween the Presidential years Mr.. Hughes's plu-
rality would be regarded an extremely graft
flying one New York is a close and doubtful state
We roll up here large maiorties for the Repub-
lcan candidate for President. and then two
years later. as rule. barely elect Republican
Governor. So popular a candidate as Theodore
Roosevelt carried the state 10y only 17,1S6, and
again, four years ago, Governor Odell was re-
elected by poor plurality of $500. The defeat
of Hearst by margin far in excess Of these is a
stern rebuke 10 his demagogy. He will probably
not cease from troubling the Democracy, state
and national as an overwhelming adverse ma
io~i+v would have compelled him 10 do, but the
country, having taken his measure once, may
view his future operations with less anxiety.
Elected, he would have been national incubus
defeated as badly as he is. he will be at most
merely a party incubus. Moreover, Hearst IS
probably stronger now than he ever Will he
again. He has steadily weakened since the
campaign opened, and should 20 on weakening
under the double burden of exposure and defeat-
Conditions exceptionally favored his dema-
gogic appeal. He found discomfort ready TO his
hand and he fomented discontent- Public sus-
piciOn and distrust aroused by the insurance
exposures had not been dispelled. Even the
convictions Of railroads and trusts of rebating
4l,NV 10 oil lgT
ministration TO promote Justice. necessarily
kept awake the public resentment at financial
greed and helped TO get easy acceptance for
the charge that rottenness was universal. The
reform legislation at Albany and Washington
had not been long enough in operation to soothe
the public mind completely and restore entire
confidence.
Hearsts campaign did not begin when he
was nominated. He had for years been prepar-
ing the soil and sowing the seed of riot
through the state His infammatory journals,
sold wherever they would sell and sent free
wherever they would not. had worked pro-
dgiouSly TO undermine public faith and pre-
pare The way for the reckless acceptance Of
an incendiary. He has conducted such cam
paign with the powerful aid of his unscrupu-
lous newspapers as the Democracy has never
been able 70 conduct in this state, and with
his great personal fortune, he has spent money
10 procure his election as his party has never
been able TO spend it. All of these things serve
TO explain why his defeat falls short of the
hopes of the best citizenship
We regret nothing that we have said of the
defeated candidate. We have charged him with
nothing that was not matter of record. His
own daily deeds spoke so loudly against him
that II was no exaggeration and no injustice
TO call him dangerous demagogue. The hard
headed common sense of the state has adiudged
him 10 be one, and has accordingly rejected
him.
The GOvernorelect represents the highest
type of our citizenship, the kind of man whom
it is the aspiration Of the most thoughtful men
10 draft from private TO public service As A
leader Of the bar he has demonstrated great
intellectual capacity, and has shown those moral
qualities necessary TO make the finest public
servant He owes his election 10 the peopIe's
recognition that he is the need of the hour By
promise and performance he stands for the
sober, orderly, nOn-sensatOna! correction of
those abuses about which the vote for Hearst.
despite his character, shows the intensity of
public feeling. We congra tuIate Mr.. Hughes ON
his election and the state upon its election Of
Mr.. Hughes.