The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-20
THE SITUATION AT ALBANY.
Touching the Reform Measures of
 Governor Hughes.

As the second month of the session draws to close without evidence not merely of accomplishment but of pro- gress, various kinds of rumors and lectures are beginning to circulate as to the reason underlying all this de- lay. For example. 1t is asserted in some quarters that the politicians, who are hostile to Governor Hughes legislative program, are deliberately waiting until the fate of the governors presidential boom shall become more apparent until few State conventions have been held; then, if the game goes against the governor, it is said, they believe his prestige will be so com pletely shat cred that they can oppose him with impunity
 Against the foregoing explanation a second may be set. By many it is urg- ed that with the passing of all serious party leadership the ability fthe leg islative leaders to form and put into operation definite plan of procedure, a program such as Platt and Odell used to lay down in advance for the legislature, has passed Instead of any clearly defined plan of campaign there is here only stufiing, debating, differ ences of opinion, impotent hostility to the governors program. and deficient courage to oppose it openly. To these critics, who view the whole thing as a sign of the present chaos in the dom- inant party, t Is leadership that is lacking, and this lack explains the present situation.
 There is third explanation, con- bining the two preceding, after fash ion, which is, perhaps. the most satis- factory of all, In the first place there is hostility 10 the goverior's program. X majority of the members of both houses, if they dared, would sustain Kelsey, defeat ballot reform, destroy the plan for ending race-track gam bling, and leave no part of the gov ernors program without setting on i' ar official mark of dlsfavor. There is also utter lack of leadership so ia, as the legislature is concerned-the ship of state is becalmed and without pilot or captain.
 Without believing that there is any definite plan or secret purpose. it i. the general notion that the delay i. ! due to the unwillingness of the legis. lators to pass the governors measure. and their fear to defeat them The, are just waiting to see what the puhli, sentiment will be. If it is apathetic, no deeply reused, everything will go b, the board If it is partly reused, ther, will be some concessions-just as few as possible If it gets thoroughly rous ed, then the whole cargo of persona desires may have to be jettisoned r, to date the legislators believe publi do not yet see any reason for affirm ative action, but afe not quite read, to beat the bills the governor ha asked for
 It Is last year over again. There i the same hostility. plus little nor fear for the governor, founded upol past performances" But the plai,
 fact remains that If any of the gover nors measures are to pass. there mus
 be totally different demonstratio
 of public approval of tiem than ha vet been borne in upon the mind n the legislator. It begins to look as a new set of appeals to the people
 were needed. At all evenss somethin
 is needed if the session is not to on
 in a fiasco-From Albany Letter f
 New York Evening Post