New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-12

the moro effective regulation Of public service
corporations This is a Republican policy. It
was announced in the platform adopted at the
last state convention The citizens of Brooklyn
understand the reasons for that measure. They
have been abused long enough. Existing condi-
tions are a disgrace TO our state. Making due
allowances for the difficulties created by the
rapid growth of communities It is full time
that the state exerted fits power and compelled
the discharge of public duty and the conSidera-
rion OF public convenience There many who
would throw a sop to the people by providing
regulation in name but not in fact. They would
seek TO embarrass the administration by making
all administrative orders the subject of court
review and making possible the inevitable and
Vexatious delays Of litigation in dealing with
questions which are not OF a judicial character.
They would seek TO impair the power of the
responsible executive to insure competent ad-
rninistraticn- They desire to fCtter control
that in their shortsghtedness they would pro-
vide an Ineffective plan Of regulation which
would not enjoy the public confidence and which
would end in miserable failure.
Now, L believe that we can have an admin
istrative board which viii command the public
respect; that we can establish standards of adj
ministration which the people will insist on hav
Ing maintained: that we can, with entire Justice
10 all concerned, supervise our great pubic ser
vice corporations that they shall be in truth
public servants and not public masters; that we
can remove a Of agitation which disturbs
business confidence, and procure a settlement
upon its merits OF each question as it arises.
PARTY MUST MEET ISSUE SQUARELY.
Now, with regard TO a matter OF this sort, it
is imperative to the success OF the Republican
falteringly. L am gratihed at the assurances
that have been received, and 1 believe that this
duty and this opportunity will be met.
There are many connected with the corpora
tions affected who oppose this legislation and
have been endeaVoring 10 create a semblance of
public sentiment against it. This is natural.
They stand for private interest. believe that
their effort is a mistaken one, even in this
light, for nothing is OF more Importance to our
public service corporations at the present day
than that an adequate plan Of regulation in the
interest OF the people and OF such character as
TO vindicate itself before the people. should be
provided. In that way lies the settlement OF
the questions that the public mind and the
establishment OF the confidence upon which the
extension Of these enterprises depends.
But it should be understood that those who
set private interest against the public interest
neither Democrats Republicans. They
teach lessons of party LOYALTY. Their
loyalty is to the interest which they serve.
I also deeply interested in the passage OF
the recount bill To provide for recount OF the
tice which should be performed without re-
luctance.
I also believe IN providing for direct nominal
lions and in facilitating the expression Of the
popular VIII III regard to candidates for office.
Much attention has been given to that subject
IN this county. You have the opportunity to lead
in that most important reform. The time has
come for popularizing system of electing
candidates and for making the party government
more thoroughly representative. I trust that
efforts in this direction Will receive full support
URGES BALLOT REFORM.
believe also in ballot reform and the adop-
ton of such & ballot viii put an end 10 all
questions in regard TO split voting and compel
every voter to declare his choice with reference
10 each candidate. This believe 10 be a most
wholesome policy both for parties and for the
public
A bill has also been introduced giving to the
Governor specific authority TO investigate the
condition of administrative departments The
wisdom OF this is obvious. If the Governor is