New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-02
THE PARTY,S DUTY.

Though Il is evident that Governor Hughes
had IN mind in his speech before the Utica
Chamber OF Commerce the legislative difficult
ties IN the way of his reform programme he
made no such sensational appeal to the peo-
ple' as some of his foolish friends" have been
hoping for and predicting, but a calm, we'll rea-
soned presentation OF the Public Utilities bill,
such as will commend it TO the public judg-
ment and bring public sentiment to its support
The Governor believes in reaching the intelli-
gence of the people rather tnan their passions or
their pTejudices, and, should 1t prove necessary
10 make more extended appeal for support Of
his measure, his course, if we may judge from
his Utica speech, will be TO explain it so thor
oughly that the people will be virtually a unit
for its enactment
It ought not 20 be necessary for the Governor
to enter upon public campaign in defence or
in explanation of the Utilities bill or any other
part Of his reform programme. He was pledged
in his campaign to the regulation of public SER
vice corporations, and the people spoke then In
unmistakable terms in favor of his ideas. He
was chosen because he stood against the despOt-
ism Of party machinery and because what he had
done for the regulation of gas and insurance
companies commended him to the people as a
man with sane, reasonable, just conceptions of
the scope OF regulation What he has done
since his Inauguration has, we are confident,
strengthened his hold upon the people. He has
kept his faith with them in a way few men do
when they are in Office for In his campaign he
INDUCED In none Of a candidates usual raAh
promises, not meant TO be kept or impossible to
keep. Public knowledge Of him has increased
public confidence in him. and we doubt Il any
of the opponents of the bill would really care to
try conclusions respecting it with Mr. Hughes
before the people.
Republican opponents of Governor Hughes In
the Legislature are making a mistake as indi-
viduals, and, so far they represent the Re
publican party as organization, they are
involving the party in mistake II the party
is going to meet present day conditions, If 1t is
going TO offer itself to the electorate as an eff
cent instrument TO accomplish measures that
the public desires. it must provide In the state
as 1t has provided in the nation, adequate means
for the regulation of the public service corpora
tions in the public interest Campaign promises
must be performed in Office, or the voters will
find some other instrument to lntrust with that
work of reform which is a welnigh unanimous
demand. Individual Republicans in the Legis-
lature cannot long afford to oppose the ideas
which Mr.. Hughes represents, for, whatever
their personal strength in their districts they
cannot remain out of harmony with the general
sentiment Of the time. We believe that tho
carrying out of Mr. Hughes's programme of re-
form is great party opportunity. Who doubts
thai with tho measures he stands for passed the
Republican party would go before the voters OF
this state with the utmost confidence?
The issue is grave one, but we have reason
10 hope that the Republicans in the Senate will
perceive clearly the partys duty and It's OppOr-
tunity and will act accordingly. for, as Governor
Hughes says, There can be no greater mistake
than to suppose that the will Of the people can
be permanently disregarded, and 1t Is the duty
'Of patriotism to provide for the Just expression
''Of that will and to remove the causes Of unrest
which lie in abuses of public privilege"