New-York tribune., 1908-02-01
THE GOrERNOR's POSITION.

Governor Hughes's address before the Repub-
lican Club declaring his position upon nationai
questions is clear, well reasoned and de1nitve,
like all his public utterances. Though he mas
never before attempted a comprehensive expo
sition of his views. lie has SO often in ms
speeches indorsed the various policies of the
present national administration, and his own
policies on cognate questions in this state ara
so well known that nothing in the speech VIII
occasion surprise. Mr.. Hughes is 4 robust Re
publican and an ardent party man. firmly con-
Ninced of the necessity of party government
He adheres to the historic principles of Repub-
lfcaniSm. but he is firm advocate in particular
of its recent progressive tendencies under Mr.
RooseveIt's guidance No heartier approval of
the Presidents administration could have been
spoken than his when he said:
The country is under lasting obligation to
President Roosevelt for his vigorous opposition
10 abuses and for the strong impulse he has
given TO movements for their correction.
We shall have in the next campaign notable
vantage ground. gained through the general ad-
miration of his strong personality and the popu-
lar appreciation of the intensity of his desire TO
promote the righteous conduct of affairs and the
welfare of his fellow men.
This lust tribute is perfectly consistent with
everything the Governor has uttered in the
| many speeches in which he has referred to the
national administration since he entered public
life inspired" rs he confessed, "by the exam
pile and fortified by the achievements of our
great leader Theodore Roosevelt
The Governors position is that the next adj
ministration should follow along the same gen
eral lines. His attitude regarding the railroads
may be understood from the public service iegis-
lati0n which was framed in close accordance
with his suggestions He approves the recent
extension of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sions powers and believes thoroughly that they
ho oda for n
ton. supervision and rate regulation. The
Sherman antitrust act, in his opinion, lacks
definiteneSS. Its Sweeung CondemnatOnS are
difficult TO enforce with justice and reason. for
| combinations beneficial to the cOuntrys indus
| fry and prosperity. equally with those that are
| injurious fall under its BIN. The Governor be-
| leves as the President does. in enabling the
| country to obtain all the good inherent in the
! larger organization of industry and in safe
| guarding il against the evil The Sherman law
| represented an early disposition to regard all
combinations as dangerous. 1t was true TO ITS
name antitrust" What is needed now is not
| legislation that attempts TO counter TO 4
| powerful economic tendency, but legislation that
will secure TO the world all its advantages and
| AT the same time prevent oppression through It's
DEVELOPMENT The policy for the future regard
/ ing violation of the law by corporations. Mr..
| Hughes thinks. should be Imprisonment Of
| guilty officers. Probably the next aQMlniSIrS
| ton will find conviction of the guilty easier
| than it has thus Far been for the activities of
| Mr.. RooseveIts administration have prepared
public opinion for such a course. On the queS-
ton of the tariff Mr.. Hughes shares the best
| sentiment of his party. standing for such Il re
vision as will leave the tariff still the bulwark
| of American industry and standards of living.
! hut 10 cover for obtaining special privileges
| from the government which are not based upcn
/ consideration of the general welfare"
| Mr. HughesS ideal of public life is service
! of his country through his party. Regarding his
OWN candidacy he says and every one who has
/ observed his career will believe that he speaks
4 with perfect sincerity: Il ask favor and
make no claim. ! desire that the party shall
"act for its best interest" Probably having in
mind political leaders who may seek fractional
advantage in the use Of his name. he appeals to
all TO desst from personal differences and pre-
pare for united effort. saying:
And let us not forget that the Republican
! party does not exist for itself. our efforts on
/ its behalf are justified by -iCtion Jhat
through the party may render patriotic ser
vice to the nation. Let this thought dominate
our activities and love of country be the inspira
| tion and the motive of every parti;an effort
That is 4 noble sentiment. the expression of
one who prefers his party 10 himself and his
| country TO his party.