New-York tribune., 1907-04-29
HUGHES ON REFORMS.
ASKS REMOVAL POWER.
Speech to Peoples Institute Brings
Out Much Enthusiasm.

| Governor Hughes spoke OF reform OF the elec-
/ tion laws and Of the need Of direct control by
the Governor over state departments at the
celebration Of the ending Of the ninth season
Of the Peoples Institute at Cooper Union last
/ night The Governor was greeted with cheers
which included the cry. "Our Next President
/ In his speech the Governor did not mention
the opposition Of the Republican leaders to some
| Of his plans. but one paragraph was taken oy
many in the audience as a reference 70 tne
Kelsey case. In asking for more power in con-
| trolling the heads Of departments the Governor
said that some had objected that it would lead
to the building up Of political machine
There is more likelihood Of there being
political machine ne said. when those who
are in charge Of departments hold little for
tresses which they can maintain against an ex-
ecutive chosen by the people. and thus against
| the people themselves
How about Kelsey?'' said man IN the au-
dience and while he did not say II loud enough
for the Governor TO hear. the crowd heard. and
cheered until Charles sprague Smith. the diree-
| tor. quieted 1t.
In introducing Governor Hughes Mr. Smith
brought out a storm Of cheers when he said the
Governor had kept his ante-electiOn pledges and
promises.
HE has kept every pledge" said Mr. Smith
He Is truly the peoples Governor whom We
welcome to this platform tonight
A
pinned tiny flag on his coat lapel She said
IT was a peace emblem. When the Governor
stood up to speak. the applause prevented his
being heard for several minutes. He said;
have long appreciated the important char
acter OF the work OF the Peoples Institute, anu
have regretted that for one reason or anOtner
Il has been impossible for me hitherto 70 accept
your directors invitation to address you MorG
than year ago gave quahned promise tHdC
/ would come here and IL Is with the greatest
zaTf STA cite hat 1OV
Invitation which you have recently EXTENDED IN
such cordial manner.
nor does that concern me. For, while OF course
I appreciate their confidence, am not the Gov
ernOr Of those who voted for me, but OF all JnS
I have NO desire. through pride Of personal
opinion. TO enforce my views, but 1c IS my duty
as the elected Chief Executive to contribute my
best Judgment as 60 measures which Will rem
edy existing abuses and 20 enaeav9r 20 neSe av
minlstered honestly and efficiently In the inter
ests Of the people When measures are pic
posed in the public interest, II Is the duty or
every citizen who believes them 70 be Just 10
exert his influence in their support. Nor do
object to opposition, provided 1t IL Oppositl0n
In defence OF the public interest and not for the
purpose OF protecting private interests against
the rights OF the public
have been greatly impressed. as have be-
come more intimately acquainted with them.
with the vast extent Of the interests OF the
state and the necessity for a steady increase
In the activities OF government Yesterday
was present at the dedication or a greaC schOol
OF agriculture. Many who have lived in the
city and are faced every day with the evils In
cident TO the crOwding OF the population fail to
interests OF the Empire State. which still Is In
many respects and should be n al FesErses
the most important agricultural state IN the
Union. Then have asylunls. our hos
pitfalls. our charitable institutions and our pTis-
tiOn grows We have our labor and educa-
tiOnal departments. We have our departments
example, the Banking Department. the Insur-
ance Department, the commissions having
and the gas companies. And. necessarily. there
will be increasing demands for the exercise Of
the powers OF the state IN supervision and reg
Now. underlying all other needs is the cuIti-
vatiOn Of Individual strength Of character, OF
self-respect and OF the sense Of personal honor.
MEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE
You do not make man better man by put
ting him in the employ Of the state. Nor is the
quietly looking out for a chance 20 get a little
graft himself. the sort Of man who will improve
The employer who viii oppress his men and
treat them unfairly will Cypress the people If
he gets a chance. And the enplOye who Will
cheat his employer. or the representative Of a
union who will betray Il for hts own advantage.
will cheat and betray the public II he is put IN
The man who thinks the first object IN IIfe is
TO serve himself. and who thinks that the Amer
lean idea IS every man for himself and the
devil take the hindmOst will never be a faith
full servant tor the people. So that tt Is IN the
stitutiOns and organizations where men and
women. boys and girls taught 70 be square.
and that there are limits which personal honor
and the sense OF right and justice viii not per-
nit TO be exceeded, no matter what selfish adj
vantage IS TO be gained. and that there pub
lie rights and the interests OF the community
which are above all mere individual COnsdera-
tions, that we find the security for good gov
Crnment and the prosperity OF the people. And
1 make no apology for adding this evening,
and before this audience, that believe most
strongly in the cultivation OF the religious prin-
ciple and OF the faith In the supremacy OK the
power that makes for righteousness. upon
which all else that have spoken OF Is based.
Now, we consider the machinery OF the g0Y-
ernment the essential and primary demand q
for fair and honest elections under a proper
ballot law.
recommended and now strongly favor the
passage Of recount bill for the recount OF the
votes cast in this city for Mayor IN 1905 favor
this without any references to persons to
personal considerations. to the possible result.
but on the ground that 1t Is a matter OF the
greatest concern that no means should exist for
promptly settling the claims that ballots IN that
election were not properly counted. Nothing IS
more important than that our citizens should b5
assured that the man who IS elected gets the
office.
FAvORS NEW FORM OF BALLOT.
I have also favored a form Of ballot BY which
each voter shall express his preference with ref
erence TO each office. II Is urged that the peo-
pie have become acquainted with the present.
form Of ballot. and the varying results with ref
| erenee 20 candidates Of different parties IN the
same election pointed 20 as proving that the
peODle know how 70 vote split ballots and elar-
else their right without Inconvenience. But
believe that last year in the judiciary election
| exactly opposite instructions were given out By
/ the committees in Kings and New York counties
I as 20 the best way 20 split the ballot That
present law Is patent. But fundamentally tia
right Of a voter is 20 vote by ballot for candl-