Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-27
HUGHES OPENS FIGHT
Defines Campaign Issues in
New York State.
ASKS SUPPORT OF POLICY
Defends His Acts as in Accordance
With Law and Constitution.
GOVERNMENT BY COMMISSION
Propriety Is Defended-No Extrav-
agance-Race Track Gam
bling Stopped.

E Hughes made whirlwind tour OF
Brooklyn tonight. addressing three bis
mass meetings. attending a dinner and a
supper, holding an impromptu reception
following the notification ceremonies in
the Union League Club and preparing to
leave early tomorrow for Indianapolis
where he is to continue his efforts for the
republican national ticket in an address
Monday.
The official notification was made at 4
o clock in the afternoon. but the governor
did not deliver his speech of acceptance
until the first of the evening meetings
held in Clermont avenue rink and presid-
ed over by Timothy l.. Woodruff. the
republican state chairman. Gov. Hughes
was warmly greeted wherever he appear
ed in Brooklyn and at each of the three
ratification meetings the halls were
crowd to their capacity.
All Candidates Notified.
All of the other candidates on the state
ticket were notified along with Gov.
Hughes, and their presence in Brooklyn
was made the occasion Of the formal
opening of the campaign in Greater New
York The great crowds gathered about
~''N
candidates from hall to hall in automo-
bile trains. the escort of republican
marching organizations. occasional mares
of red fire and the crash OF music gave
midcampaign aspect to the Brooklyn DEM
onstration and lent picturesque interest,"
to the governors visit.
Secretary of the Interior James K. Car
field spoke at the meeting held IN PROS
pect Hall. the third visited by Gov:
Hughes. Chairman Woodruff introduced
Vi n
Hughes speech was largely devoted TO
state issues, but he took occasion 10
warmly praise the national ticket. Inc
governor said:
This is critical period in nation and
in state In the nation we are threatened
by dangerous and tightly schemes which
would halt the advance of prosperity,
close factories and demorallze honest
trade. In the state we are faced by the
forces of reaction who seek to destroy the
reforms already gained and to rebuke
those who have labored to secure them.
Under the leadership Of Theodore
Roosevelt the moral purpose of the people
has been intensified and in response TO an
insistent demand important remedial
legislation has been enacted. That we
may have genuine progress; that we may
not PROSTATE the country by blunderlnS
efforts at reform that we may con-
serve honest enterprise by the wholesome
application of remedies prudently devised.
eliminating Judgment. both generous i'm
pulse and analytical power, both hu-
mainly and SteadineSs.
I'm the state the issue transcends candi-
da cieS and is more important tnan q
choice of persons.
Because of the violent opposition which
our efforts have created because OF the
misconstruction to which they have been
subjected. because of me vindictiveness
which threatens vengeance at the polls,
We ask not only for the enthusiastic sup
port of all members of the republican
party, but for the support or all clt1zens
irrespective of party, who believe in the
standards of administration which We
have sought to maintain and who indorse
the purpose We have endeavored to
achieve.
Government by Commission"
I'VE have endeavored to bring the great
administrative departments of govern
ment. so far as We have been intrusted
with their administration, to the highest
point of efficiency.
These activities are appropriately
placed in the charge of departments or
commissions. with one or more heads.
and this has been the time-honored and
constitutional policy of the state
Yet the democratic platform recklessly
state by commission 1t is evident that
the alleged vice of the system does not
reside in the word commission for 1T
matters not by what name the office is
called.
THE evil is said to consist in withdraw
ing from the constitutional officials Of the
state the power which should be directly
welded by them 1t is solemnly de-
clared that the government of the state
should be restored to constitutional lines
SO that only those elected by the people
and directly responsible to them shall
have the power Of expanding the public
revenue. regulating public business and
controlling within the law the affairs OF
the citizens of this state
1.-The interest of the people is naturally
centered upon the selection OF the oNilef
executive OF the state. With regard both
10 the nominations and crectionS for this
office they can exercise the maximum
control and have the best opportunity
for discriminating judgment.
If they do not choose the highest officer
in the state wisely, it is not likely that
they Will choose a great number or sub
ordnates wisely. 1t is far better and more
to charge upon the governor the reSpon-
sibility for administration. to choose him
In the light of that responsibility and to
hold him accountable for it's discharge.
This is not removing the government
from the people. but is merely proper con-
centration of responsibility upon the chief
officer elected by the people, in the inter-
est of efficient government.
False Charge of Extravaganza.
Equally careless of facts Is the charge
made by the democratic platform Of eX-
travagance in state administration. Such
a charge comes with i'll grace from the
party that has control of the government
of Greater New York and is responsible
for the management of the city's finances.
But ignoring the source and motive of
the charge of extravaganza in state eX-
penditures, ii is false accusation.
1t is also charged that l have failed to
exercise the powers conferred upon me
by the Moreland act passed last year for
the investigation OF departments. l
have not construed this act as giving or
as intending to give authority to tnves-
tigate the offices held by other elected
may exist in the administration of these
hold myself in no way responsible.
Under the Moreland bill 1 caused an
investigation to be made of the insur-
ance department.. and an inquiry Is now
in progress with regard to the state
board of embalming examiners. In many
instances l have been able through my
own appointees, and without additional
expense to the state. to secure proper
inquiry and needed reforms.
Public Service Commission.
"A plan for the effective regulation of
public service corporations now cover
ing railroad. gas and electrical compa-
MES has been provided. 1t has been the
safeguards against predatory fnancier-