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

The unanimity with which the Republican
voters of the state have rallied to the sup
port of Governor Hughess policies was re-
fiected yesterday in the action of the RepuD-
lican State Committee, which at special meet
ing went on record as favOring without dlS-
sent conditions the measures which MT.
Hughes has especially champiOned. When at
Elmra. on May 3, after his defeat on the hel-
sey removal issue Governor Hughes appealed
afresh to the people of the state for support
he seemed TO be confronted by a really for
midable opposition within the party. The
Tribune did not then believe. nor has 1t ever
believed. that this opposition represented very
many voters. Yet II was apparently active ana
well organized. and there were experienced oD-
servers who thought ii would mutiiate II IL
did not defeat the Governors reform measures
The Evening Post last Monday accused us
of optimism because held that the vote
in the Kelsey did not by any means prove
that the Republican party could not be unified
i'll support OF the utilities bill and other bills
carrying into effect the promises of the last
Republican platform. But the events of the
last week have shown that were not unduly
Optimistic" in counting the loyalty of the
mass of the Republican voters 10 Governor
Hughes and the ability of the leaders in the
organization TO grasp and act upon the logic of
/ that situation.
A reaction of the sort we have just witnessed
goes fast and far 1t apparently the inten-
ton of the majority of the members of the state
committee 10 indorse only the main feature OF
the Governors legislative programme-the utill-
ties bill. But before yesterdays short session
ended unanimous support was given 10 reso-
| luton pledging cooperation with the Governor
in his efforts TO carry out the wishes of the
people of the state particularly in the regu-
"lation and control of public service corpora
"tlons. reappOrtionment in conformity with
THE constitution, a recount bill and amend
''ments to the primary and election laws, to
the end that just remedies may be provided
for existing evils"
1t will be noted that the committee pledged
its aid in carrying through legislation along
( these lines in conformity not with its own
some Legislative leaders ideas but with the
ideas Of the Governor. SO that what constI-
tutes an "apportlonment in conformity with
the constitution" and what constitutes an
effective measure OF ballot law reform must
be judged from the Governors messages and
speeches. and not from the nice adjustments
| OF personal interests contemplated by some ap
pOrtiOnment makers in the Senate or from
such nugatOry and reactiOnary legislation as
! the Phillips ballot bill.
The Governors vindicaton is so complete
that he can cheerfully ignore the bad taste of
the resolution offered by Mr. Oden which
sought to entangle reform legislation with
Presidential politics. The resolution lndorsing
Mr.. Hughes as the states candidate for the
Presidential nomination in 1908 was III timed
and inappropriate, since next years state con-
vention is the only body competent 10 express
the wishes and intentions of the party. II Mr.
Ode sought TO make friction and trouble. he
failed sgnally. The present duty OF the party
is TO support the Governor in his fight for re-
form legislation and the redemption of public
| promises. The future will take care Of itself