New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-10-19
NOT SEEKING PUBLIC
OFFICE, SAYS HUGHES
Has NO AMBITION TO BE
Il PARTY BOSS.
Parsons and Page Not at Republi-
can Club Dinner WOOdruf
n. E,,a;o,,
ON Fusion.


seek any office. and that he would not directly
or indirectly influence the vote of any delegate
in any convention.
He made II Enthusiastically clear to the two
hundred and fifty men who heard him that he
was going to give his time wholly to the duties
of his Office and that he could not be prevailed
upon take a part in the fusion campaign in
this county.
In one of the most significant speeches he ever
made. the Governor gave definition Of parti-
sanship and good citizenship. He was in fine
voice, spoke with unusual emphasis. and had his
hearers with him all through his speech
Great surprise was shown by all because OF
the absence from the dinner of Senator Alfred
R, Page and President Herbert Parsons OF the
Republican County Committee. Their absence
prompted the inference that when they called on
/ the Governor Tuesday of last week. just be-
/ fore he went to jamestown. they asked him to
/ tndOrse the fusion plan of campaign That he
/ refused was the consensus of opinion at the
Republican Club last night, for this Is what he
said:
| Il frequently asked TO express approval or
/ disapproval of party action OF particular
/ candidates.. Should do so. II would fairly be
/ incumbent upon TO pronounce upon sucn
/ action or candidates. in advance. and thus to
| determine the course TO be pursued II this
/ were done in one case it would be inevitable
| that it should be done in many cases. with con-
| sequent responsibility. II such responsibility
/ be assumed, 1T must be accompanied by action
/ The result Is certain Experience shows you
cannot stop short OF II. II such course be
/ taken either the Governor viii be in undisputed
control Of the party management ard become
| party boss. or he will be involved in continual
contests for the maintenance Of his political In
/ luence and prestige My conception OF the
duties. the responsibilities and the power for
/ good OF the gOvernorship forbids me from throw
| ing it's weight or attempting TO exercise its
power except for the purpose OF performing it's
constitutional functions
DOES NOT SEEK OFFICE.
Another declaration which made profound
impression and caused comment afterward was
| this concerning his personal ambitions:
| II do not seek any public Office. I have not
| sought, nor shall I seek. directly. or Indirectly.
to influence the selection or the of any dele
gate TO any convention. and with reference to
the action OF any delegate to any convention
| there will be no suggestion or thought OF in
fiuence. protest reprisaI in the executive
chamber"
Still another utterance which kept the diners
debating long after the Governor had gone TO
| his hotel was the following
| "One Of the fundamental purposes OF the ad~
ministration is to vindicate the adequacy of our
| institutions to put an end TO abuses without
| goguery. and in a patient. deliberate, but none
! the less vigorous. manner TO insist upon the
| recognition and enforcement OF public rights but
| availing ourselves to the utmost OF the existing
machinery Of government and by making such
| new provision as the interests OF the people may
| require"
The dinner was given by the club for the Gov
ernor and the Republican State Senators OF this
| city. Charles II Young president of the club
/ nd J-ftr
! addition 20 the Governor, were Senators Agnew,
| Gilchrist. SAKE Travis, State Chairman Wood
! ruff. General Nelson H. Henry and Colonel
| George c. Treadwell. the Governors military
secretary. Nearly all the prominent Republicans
| belonging TO the club at the dinner and
that is the same saying that nearly all the
more prominent Republicans of the city were
present
CHEERS GREET GOVERNOR
When the Governor entered the dining hall
all present arose and cheered him. and the
cheers were repeated when he was introduced
by President Young The Governor spoke as
| follows:
| Nearly twenty years ago Joined this club.
| 1t was the first political organization with
| which became identified. Many of you have
| been my personal friends. 1t in this build
| ing that l accepted the nomination for Cow
| ernor and stated the issues which were re-
| garded paramount in the last campaign It
! was under your auspices that, aILer the cleo
/ tiOn, on an occasion which for the warmth OF
its greeting and the COrdiality OF it's good wishes
| will never be forgotten, attempted to set forth
| the principles which should govern my ad-
| ministratiOn Related 1 to this club by
such intimate and sentimental associations, it
is especially gratifying TO have this opportunity
| of meeting with you. And may be pardoned
| If speak in a somewhat personal vein
| I shall not attempt TO recount in any detailed
| or comprehensive manner what was accom-
plished at the last session of the LegiSl ature.
| II a long session. but one remarkable for
the Importance of the general legislation en-
acted, and IL reflected great credit upon the
Legislature
One of the fundamental purposes of the adj
minstratiOn is to vindicate the adequacy Of our
institutions. 10 put an end to abuses without
tumult or disorder. without injustice or dema-
gOguery. and in patient. deliberate, but none
the less vigorous manner to insist upon the
recognition and enforcement OF public rights
by availing ourselves to the utmost of the ex-
listing machinery of government and by making
such new provision the interests of the people
may require. difficult problem Of first i'm
portance was presented in connection with our
public service corporations 1t our object
to remove this from the field OF reckless agi-
tatiOn and to provide, to the fullest extent con-
sIstent with constitutional requirements meth
OdS of investigation and redress through which
the public obligations OF reasonable. impartial
and adequate service could be enforced and
public safety and convenience be conserved.
public service commissions law IrOyfdeS
the necessary machinery and powers To the use
of which have been called men owing no alle-
glance To any special interest, unemba rrasSed by
either financial or political obligation. who are
deVOting themselves with a single purpose to
the protection of the rights Of the people Means
have been provided to prevent the repetition OF
the wrongs which have been committed in th5
ing the issue OF bonds ana stocks. through in
sistence upon proper methods of bOOkkeeDinsy
SAVES IAROR AND CARE