New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-15
LEADERSHIP

When William Barnes, jr., Of Albany, made
his famous complaint against Governor
Hushes-'He has said TO various Republicans,
yes. to men in my position in public life. You
ARE unnecessary he expressed sentiment
which was commonly held ny the men in posi-
tionS similar TO his in public life. But neither
he nor any of the rest of them foresaw how
soon the Governor would show the truth there
was in this utterance. The Governor caused the
complaint when, in trying to obtain the support
Of various Republican Senators for his anti
gambling bills, he actually ventured 10 go over
the heads of the county bosses and appeal
directly 10 the constituents of the Senators IhlS
WAS making the bosses superfuous, and they re-
scented il. Their creed was that when he wanted
a Senator's vote he should have procured the
gracious consent of the men in my position in
puhlic life in the good old way. But, as the
Governor says of himself. he is "a poor dealer
With the special election came the bosses
chance 10 prove their indispensability, to show
how preposterous was Mr.. Hughess notion that
the government of the state could get on with
out their ministrations. How. pray, would the
votes he got out without their help: Here was
a lesson coming for the Governor. 1t was all
very well TO 90 over the heads Of the bosses
AT Albany when he wanted 10 get at Senator's
vote but how pitifu and helpless figure he
would cut in going over their heads now and
getting the voters TO the polls. The was
narticularlv opportune for demonstration Of
Innocence by a man who had never even had
the practical experience of a captain OF an
election district. for the farmer was engrossed
i'm his spring ploughing, the district was split
into factions each Of which was suspicious
that the other might gain some advantage from
the election. and the seed Of hostility had been
carefully spread by the suggestion that the
nnpractical Governor had put the taxpayers to
h. IliT1rr election
Here was a chance TO teach the Governor to eat
out of tho bosses hands The election was sure
not merely to Justify their existence but TO
show that they were Indispensable. party
must have votes and 10 get out votes machinery
was necessary, and machinery required whoie
hierarchy Of bosses, from the election district
captain up 10 the master OF the county ana
proprietor of the Senator's vote The men In
nv position in public life" cheerfully waited
around watching TO see the amateur make
mess Of this delicate work OF getting out the
votes which required the utmost capacity of
experts The demonstration did not result as
they expected. Without the aid of the ma
cbinerv and the support .'of the men in my posi-
lion in public life and In spite of the adverse
conditions the Governor accomplished the
miracle with astounding ease. He got out the
votes and won the election No wonder the
men in my position III pubic Ire are rub
bling their eyes!
What they have failed 10 understand is that
the Governor, though mighty poor dealer, is
an uncommonly good leader, while they who
are such wonderful dealers not leaders at all.
They are unused 10 the power Of leadership and
arc struck blind at its manifestation. AS a GER
tain general complained of Napoleon, they can
complain OF Hughes that he does not fight ac-
cording 10 rules-ther rules. All they under
stand is the methods and success Of leadership.
They win elections by manipulating machinery.
and they had come 10 think there was no other
Nay Mr. Hughes wins by presenting issues
that men think are worth voting for wifh"--t