New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-12
THE PARTYS RECORD.

Tho sneech of Governor Hughes at the RlSn-
mond County fair on Thursday was al lnipie'
sive review of the achievements OF the i'epuo-
lican party in this state in the last he" SeaiS'
and declaration of its spirit ana intentions DIS
he understands them TO be. Its record is so
e+,on, tba+ tbe Governor was moved to say Of
if: an this state In the last few years 1t mas
dome more to make good its policies than mas
been done by anybody else, with ali the "ealth
of opportunity in this broad lana. 1t not Only
promises, but it performs
The Governor dwelt only upon those larger
achievements which will be of permanent VaIue
n tho neonle of the state such as the steps for
the preservation of its natural resources TOT the
benefit of the whole people and the prevention
of their exploitation by the few. Forest pres
eryotion was begun under Republican auspices
several years ago. and it has been carried
steadily forward ever since. Governor Hughes
himself initiated the movement for the con-
sc,.yattoa of the states water power. The mag
nitude of this step in the public interest IS
hardly vet fully appreciated, but, as the GOV
qrnor saws IA generation hence that Will be re-
'garded as the most important development Ii
connection with the present administrator Oh
..state affairs" For with the development CT
the means of transmitting electricity water
mower will come 20 be more and more lmpor-
tant to the industries of the state, and those
who control wafer power VIII eACASlSo u NN'A
mating influence over its AFFAIRS
The Governor points very properly to the en-
actment of the law ending the bank recetvership
abuses as one of the great achievements of the
narty Here again special privilege, belong
ING in this instance to the political hangers ON,
was done away with for the benefit of the de-
rositors of banks generally. And, though MI.
Hughes does not mention it, the public service
legislation was another example of the recent
policies of the party which meet with Seneral
and hearty approval. 1t was passed IN the IN
terests of the people generally to secure 1or
them by the assertion of state authority far
treatment from the corporations and an ade-
Q1late service from them at 4 reasonable price
The law regarding campaign contributions
was another piece of remedial legislation passed
10 put an end to possible abuses and by secur-
inc publicity to prevent corrupt bargaining De-
tween political parties and wealthy contributors
whereby officials supposed TO represent the peo-
ple passed into the service of special interests
II is a notable and brilliant record, the mere
reading of which shows that the party mas
served the people we'll. 1t has not only prom
ised hut if has performed. There are no crave
omissions from it. Practically every important
question that has been before the people of the
country has received consideration in this state.
The preservation of natural resources for the
whole people the regulation of public service
corporations. the publication of elections ana
the prevention Of corrupt practices all have been
attended to- What remains to be done is the
Dutting of more democracy into the political
narties 1t is one of the newer problems Of the
country which has only recently attracted at
tention in this state, being brought before fhe
public with greater force than ever before by
the discussion over Governor Hughess own
denomination. To the answer of that problem
the Governors next administration will be "s-
pecially addressed. He is pledged to the policy
of making the parties exist for the people, and
the officials serve first of all-the- people. to
whom they will be directly responsible, just as
the states forests and water rights are now
reserved from exploitation and. the public in
terest in those things that arc affected with a
public interest is jealousy protected OF
This coming reform the Governor says:
Now we propose that every obstacle in the
way of the free expression of the popular VIII
within parties As well in general elections.
shall be done away with. Leadership must JUS
tfy itself by its skill its ability, its patriotism
houses Leadership having that object need have
no fear: but the other hand, the widest express
sion Of the will of the voters OF a party is es-
sential to keep that party straight; just as the
widest expression Of the will of citizens general
". after public discussion, is necessary for the
proper administration of the government