New-York tribune., 1908-05-01
HUGHES ON BOSSISM
SPEAKS At SCHENECTADI.
Begins Cam paign for Enactment OF
Direct Nominations Bill.
fBy Telegraph to The tribune. J

ard bad attack of neuralgia which kept nrn
in pain every minute Governor Hughes went
to Schenectady tonight and addressed a big
mass meeting in advocacy Of his anti-raeetrack
gambling bills.
An audience Of three thousand-every man
who could crowd into the Van Curler Opera
House-listened fntentiy his arguments for
these measures applauding frequently. But its
applause most intense and its approval
most marked when the Governor in vigorous
terms denounced those party bosses who so far
misused their power as to coerce legislators
against the public will.
The people are becoming more and more
solicitous that the they elect shall take
their orders from no but their constituents.
declared the Governor. while his auaience
cheered II believe in organization he vent
on answering the assertions OF leaders Ike
William Barnes. jr.. and j. sloat Fassett. that
his methods were destroying the party organ
ization." But it viii be sorry day IL organ-
ization methods go far that the organization
falls under the control of one man, who can
saw If YOU don't do so and so you won't get the
nomination I want TO see legislation passed
which will protect the candidates from that sort
of coercion I want see legislation enacted
which will protect the who does the VIII OF
the people against any little bosses cried tho
Governor
APPLAUD ATTACK ON BOSSES
This open challenge to the political boss AMI
equally open beginning of campaign for enact
n1ent of the direct nomination measure IN con-
nection with the gambling fight easily was
the feature of the Governors address II also
was the point which caught and held the at
tention of his hearers. They listened thought-
fully to his points on the gambling situations
they appIauded wildly when he smote the bosses
who were compelling legislators 10 vote against
the wishes of their electorate
I'm some districts we find ourselves nnisrep-
resented by our legislators declared Dean
Ripton of Union, who acted as CHAIRMAN OF
the meeting 'but know we are powerfully
represented by the man who occupies the CoF-
ernor's chair
That seemed to be the sentiment OF the meet
ing 1t was protest against bossisn1. ex-
pressed concreteIy in the action of men IKE
Barnes of Albany. and Sanford. of Montson-
erv. who influenced their Senators &c vote
against the racing bills. Men who have trav-
elled with the Governor TO the recent meetings
where he has spoken on this issue declare that
Utica. Albany. Buffalo, Brooklyn and now
Schenectady all indicated fast growing de-
termination 10 make the boss responsible TO
his voters-to compel him 20 do their~ will or
take the consequences.
MEETING CHARACTERISTIC ONE
The meeting Tonight was ~chsraeteristie OF
the gatherings TO which the Governor Is ex-
planning his fight and the reasons for making IT.
1t was mems meeting. and every man there
was a voter A good proportion of them came
from the big factories in Schenectady;
sprinkling were instructors from Union and
representative business = the city Every
man drank in Dean Ripton's words when he
declared in introducing the Governor that While
a part of Unions endowment came from lot
terry conducted in 1905 the men who voted 10
Iegalize racetrack gambling would wait until
1895 came round again before Schenectady peo-
pie would for them References to the now
famous Fassett telegram brought out derisive
laughter.
Governor Hughes said that he would try 20
make no speech merely try to explain the rea-
sons for his recommendations II was hts right
and duty to do that
1T is much better than trying TO buy votes
in the executive chamber" he declared, and the
audience applauded the allusion to methods used
by machine politician governors
There is no question of party or of party
organization in this, went on Governor
Hughes. save as here and there party leader
abuses his power by exerting 1t in defence oe
the gamblers by -coercing elected officer
This question of coercion which his enemies
were charging to him the Governor eonsidered
very amusing 1t is raised merely to conceal
ing by gambling privileges. trying TO run
the state of New York. he said
TIE GOVERNORS SPEECH
The Governor said:
1 am trying to explain to the people of tbs
state of New York the reasons for certain
recommendation That is my right. that is my
Gutv 1t is great deal better than trying 70
buy votes in the executive chamber
No one can impose upon the American people
with the pretence that there is coercion IN pre-
senting facts and argument to an American
state who has right and IS under ooilgations
to talk directly 10 his fellow citizens with re-
gard to the policy Of legislation and admnlstra-
ton it is the man whom they have elected 20
office and charged with the duty OF upholdinS
the constitution of the state
There is no question of party involved There
* no issue relating to party organization. save
as here and there a political leader abuses his
power by making il serve the interests OF gam
bIers in defiance of the constitution and attempts
to deliver the vote of Senator of the state
Governor Hughes then quoted Governor Nor
tons memorandum. made in signing the Percy
Gray law in which he said
p,- tbe hills under consideration the LeEiSla-
ture has attempted 10 perform the duty imposed
mon il by the constitution and provide legisla-
tiou which should prevent offences against the
provisions of the constitution relating 20 pool
selling booknakirS aud gambling AZ horse
ra,es Whether the object aimed at has been
frIIy accou9piiShed can only be determined oN
,Isriercs and il this legislation shall prove in
.dauuate insufficient to prohibit or repfeSS
the evils mentioned public sentiment will doubt
less demand more stringent legislation N ue
future
Governor Hughes then continued:
And public sentiment is now making that de-
unand in the presence of the fact that TINS egls-
iafjnn i ! uocksry of prohibition. with pen
,r,f,,r cod nd :