New-York tribune., 1908-10-21
VR. CHAyLPR ANSWERED.

In asking Governor Hughes the questions
which he did on Monday Mr.. Chanler gave the
Governor a rare opportunity TO make more er-
fecfiye the contrast between himself and the
Democratic candidate. The Governor seized that
onportunity with characteristic promptitude and
the result Is that Mr. Chanler is in a sorrier
position than ever before. By giving the Gov
crnor a chance 10 show how quickly he would
answer the questions of an adversary ne HaS
only emphasized his own dcdgng ana unread
mess BY asking questions and receiving an
swers to them he has lost his last preteAt Ior
refusing to answer the questions put to him
If he does not answer now. everybody VIII laugh
at him. The asking of the ten questions by Mr..
Chauler shows how damaging has been the erect
Of Mr.. Hughes's demand that the Democratic can
didate should declare his position candldly upon
the issues of the campaign. Something must De
done # was felt by the Democratic campaign
ers TO stop the Governors attack, and so lhe
most embarrassing queries that could be thought
of were framed TO prove that the Governor, too,
could be reduced 10 silence by Interrogation
Apparently" said Mr.. Hughes. Mr.. ChanIer
thinks that some of his questions are so imper-
"tfnent that I will not answer them mat IS
evidently lust what the Democratic candidate
had in mind His questions were trick cues
tons Most Of them had no more bearing upon
the issues before the voters than inquiry
whether the Governor believed in the nebular
hypothesis would have had They were rad
icaIIy different In this respect from Mr., Hughes
questions. which ere fair and proper, and when
could embarrass no one whose candidacy was
entirely honest and aboveboard. Mr. Chanler
evidently thought very well Of his questions
He propounded them with the utmost solem-
nity. in a manner which said TO the whole state,
Watch me throw this bombshell into the enc
my's camp But his bombshell failed TO ex-
pIode and now ne viii have to look after his
own defences harder than ever
Mr.. Chanler's first excuse for falling to reply
70 the Governors questions was that the Gov
ernor had no business to ask them and no right
10 expect n reply to them. He has now waived
that defence by asking q lot Of questions him
self His second prPtcXt was that the Cover
nor's questions had no hearing upon the issues
of the campaign He has abandoned all right to
that defence even if il were true by himself
asking questions which surely have much less
relation to the issues of the day. What excuse
for further silence has he left? What shall be
said of q candidate who asks questions but
refuses TO answer questions addressed TO him?
The inquiries of Governor Hughes have pc
culiar pertinency because Mr.. Chanler is encour-
aging by his silence the support of the racetrack
gamblers and the traction loOters. He is the
candidate of the opposition to Y hat Mr.. Hughes
has done: What is the programme of that op-
position? Will it undo the work of the present
administration: The support which the inter
eSts desirous Of having that work undone are
giving 10 Mr. Chanler causes n presumption that
It will Mr.. Chanlers remarks on the gambling
laws were no answer To the Governors question.
He saws merely that h viii enforce those laws
To the letter. they stand: Or viii he let
them be repealed or amended: Senator NcCar-
ren. one of his chief supporters, declares him
self for their repeal. Is he in harmony with
his party or isn't he? Why can't Mr.. Chanler
be equally candid and courageous? As to the
questions regarding the Public Service commits
sions law Mr Chaner still maintains his dig
nifed" silence. With the support that he has,
his attack upon government by commission"
and his argument for amending the Public Ser
vice commissions law and his talk Of putting
practical men" on the commissions are a
menace to the system Of state regulation Do
the people want the law tinkercd with or the
personnel changed by man nominated and
financed by Ryan: