New-York tribune., 1908-06-26
THE WEED OF GOVERNOR HUGHES.

The Republican press of the upper part of the
state evidently is not impressed with the indi
cations of Governor HuGhess loss Of popularity
which the petty bosses and politicians profess
to find. Practically all OF the leading papers
there which are not the organs of these bosses
have Joined in The Tribunes demand for his
denomination. They point out. as we have
DONE that he is the strongest possible candi-
date whom the party could nominate. ana can
attention to the strength which his nomination
would give To the national ticket. They agree
with us upon the Importance To the people OF
this state of having the services OF Governor
Hughes for another term. In the general opn-'
ion much unfinished work remains Tor MN
10 do that as 'The Rochester Democrat ana
Chronicle" says. he may conclude that he can
mot conscicntiousIy refuse public appeal FOR
Ibis denomination
1t is not unlikely that the extent of this pun
lie appeal for his denomination may nave
much TO do with determining the Governors
course with regard TO accepting one or 'ne
Governor 10 give two years more to the puolic
means serious personal sacrifice. He Is a
man of moderate means and his present term
has taken from them sum equal to or more
than equal to his salary for the two years not
counting. of course. the sacrifice OF MS prom
able earnings at his profession. He has to CON
slider I'm determining whether to give TWO more
years to public life his duty TO himself ana
his family as against his duty TO the PUBIC
Under such circumstances. then, it is likely tha'
his decision will be very largely affected by
the extent of the public demand for his services
If the people seem to he heart and soul for the
vario,1s reforms which he has suggested and
which have not been carried out he may very
naturally feel that be has enllsted 1or ihe
war" and that his duty to the people VINO look
10 him as their indispensable leader is para
mount TO any other duty. If they are indiher-
ent 70 the various policies with which MS name
is identified. then be may we'll feel that he IS ho'
called upon TO make a great sacrifice in their
interests If the Governor is waiting 10 see
how much his continued service means to the
neonle and how greatly they desire the success
of his polcies the attitude OF the upstate press
as an evidence of public opinion must possess
a lively interest for him.
The retirement of Governor Hughes is I'M
possible TO contemplate with indifference lor
ii means distinct loss 80 public life ana an
inevitable setback to the development therein
of new and worthier ideas and Ideals. iDe
Governor stands pre-emnenty for the placing
of the common welfare in this state ABOVE
arerr other consideration under all circum-
stances To this individuals and parties are to
no subordnsted and special interests must
how He stands for the ideal of service. Inc
hest marty is the one that serves the people
best BY giving the people full control OF the
narties he would end the devices through which
tho narties become TO some extent the servants
not of the people but of special interests. The
host official is the one who serves best. not MS
marty. not his boss not himself. but the people
who elected him. The Governor stands for
greater democracy. He would put the people
in power in the parties. He would put the
peonle in control in the government by having
direct responsibility of the officials through no
Intermediates to the people who nominate ana
elect If no one else had hand In the making
of officials and no boss could intervene with MS
n,anipulations and deliver the support OF parties
and the service of officials 10 others than the
neople who elect them. he believes tnat MS
ideal of service in public life would be nearer
realization than now These ideas are not novel,
nor are they exclusively the Governors Others
hold them. but nobody in this state holds them
with the uncompromising obstinacy or Af.
Hughes He is very little of an opportunlst. and
so he keeps these ideals before the public as few
others have kept can keep them, ana makes
them the guiding principle of his actions and the
constant aim of his policies. 1t will take long
! time and hard fighting 70 get out of American
pubc life the idea that il is right 10 serve the
J neonle with one hand while YOU serve some one
| else with the other. but Mr.. Hughes. with his un-
compromising temperament. can do 1t If any
/ one can and that is why the public needs him.