New-York tribune., 1907-04-30
THE CRISIS AT ALBANY.

The final vote of the Senate judiciary Com
mitree on the removal of Otto Kelsey Is fixed for
TODAY. and perhaps it Will clear up the doubt re-
e3rding the attitude of the Legislature toward
The Governors programme and regarding the re-
sponsiveness Of that body TO public sentiment
The constant delays over the Kelsey case suggest
q hostility that is lacking in courage Senators
who oppose Governor Hughes in his request for
Mr. Kesey's removal are lOath TO come out lnto
the open and take a decided stand against the
Governor. backed as he is 10y a formidable public
sentiment. and 50 il is not unlikely that the OPP
position will weaken at the final test
II would be rash for any one TO underestimate
that public sentiment. 1t may be silent now
waiting until the Governors opponents show
their hands but if the Governor is defeated in
the essential features of his programme no
appeal 10 the people viii be necessary TO stir
their Indignation against the men who defeated
him The public sentiment that Mr.. Hughes
has with him viii be evident enough then. Ana
he has the public with him just as strongly in his
demand Tor Mr.. Kelsey's removal as IN any other
part OF his programme, for the removal from
office of men who have proved themselves inefii-
cieut IS an essential feature Of his policy of
providing a satisfactory government. If any
senator intends to vote for Mr.. Kelsey and at
the same time support the utilities bill he will
probably imperl the latter by his support of the
former 4 defeat Of Governor Hughes In regard
TO Mr.. Kelsey would give courage to his enemies.
Men who regard the utilities bill as inevitable,
though they find il an inconvenent measure 10
support, would be encouraged TO amend it out
Of all senblance 10 its present intent, send it to
the Governor as 'his bill" and then present them
selves to the people as having passed tie regu-
lative laws which they desire. We do not say
that the retention Of Mr.. Kelsey IN office would
necessarily mean the defeat by amendment OF
The utilities bill but we do say that the opposi-
ton TO that measure. uncertain of its
course, would then take courage. and strong
effort would be made 50 to load the act down
with amendments that what reached the GOV
ernor would be, as some put il. only the title
Of tie present bin. The opposition TO Governor
Hughes's reform programme is hiding behind the
personal popularity of Mr.. Kelsey. This fact
should be taken into consideration by the Sen
ators who for personal reasons, on account of
the ties Of old friendship or long political
citation, though they believe In the Governors
general policies yet are inclined 10 vote against
Mr.. Kelsey's removal
To the members in general 1t Is necessary to
say that if the defeat OF Mr.. Hughes's measures
should not prove To be runous to the party it
would be because the people generally believed
that Mr. Hughes and not his legislative Opp0-
nents represented the spirit OF Republcanism.
If the Republcanism of Mr.. Hughes prevails in
the end, as we believe il must. the men who at
present think to defeat him will be 50 far ont Of
harmony with the spirit of their party that, no
matter how strong they may now seem 10 be
in their districts their day Will soon pass.