New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-18
TIE Arr4ck ON OSCILLATION.


The Democratic platform makes it plain
that however excellent Mr. CHAMBERS inten-
tions are and however amiable is his respect
for Governor Hughes the forces behind his
candidacy the masters of the Democratic
party, are engaged in an attempt 10 uhuo 'le
work of the Governor. The platform says OF
the two Public Service commissions that th@y
have ''wofully failed TO better the condition OF
affairs confided to their charge tt proceeuS
TO 'denounca the system of governing the st;'t1
.bv commissions. system never contemplated
'by the constitution and which mas Srauuali<
taken from the constitutional officials OF tne
.,State tho mower which should be directly
.vielded nv them" It then declares that tine
government should be restored to constti-
"tional lines. so that only those who are elected
.'by the people and directly responsible TO tneln
shall have the power of expendlng the puphe
revenue. regulating public business and con-
trolling with the law the affairs OF the ctlzens
''of the state.
That pledge in the platform means the legls-
latinc out of existence of the Public Service
commissions. as not contemplated by the consti-
tuition. and the abandonment of the whole pol
icv of state regulation of the public service cor
norations. except by legislative action, leaving
the railway and lighting corporations free from
the supervision of any public body with power
TO hold them to their duty of furnishing rea-
sonable service at fair price. 1t means, 1or
instance a return to the chaotic conditions OF
starved service watered stocks and market rig
cling which have brought the street railways OF
New York to bankruptcy. 1t would give tiie
old operators in city traction stocks free hand
to resume their former methods as soon as the
connanies got out of the hands Of the receivers.
The Democratic platform does not propose 10
substitute any other system of public regulation
in place of the commissions of Governor
Hughes, on the ground that they have proved
unsatisfactory, but promises to ABANDON state
regulation altogether and return TO the good
old conditions when street railway, looung WAS
without let or Eindrance. 1.-The people are pest
governed who are least governed says the
platform-the sentiment of the speculative IL
terests in control at Rochester that have found
public service regulation TOO much goNerhihe"e
for their convenience.
THE New York World says Of this part CT
tbe platforn: with incredible folly it assaiis
1.-The life of the Public Service Commission,
(which alone stands between the people of this
"citv and another looting of the traction sys-
item by Ryan and his associates when the lines
mass out of the receivers hands" But 'Ihe
world can hardly feel surprised that con-
ve1tion controlled by Murphy and Conners ana
presided over by Judge O'Brien should put 1orrh
a platform reading as if 1t had been framed by
companies of this city. In the Democratic
Dartv the old alliance between the bosses and
certain large financial interests has not been
broken Mr.. Murphy is generally understood 10
represent as his predecessors have done, ule
old Metropolitan traction group In politics.
Judge O'Brien is the legal adviser OF certain
members Of that group. The political-business
relations are such that Senator McCarren is
currently reported at the Rochester convention
TO have besought Judge O'Brien to TASK Ryan
10 call Murphy off" With such men in control
of the convention it is not strange that an at
tack Ipon the system of public regulation pro-
ceeded from it. Nor is it incredible that the
Democratic party should take that position.
The same bosses. representing the same inter-
nsts did their utmost through their control or
Democratic votes in the Legislature to block the
Governors public service bills when they were
IN for massage The Democratic Mayor Of this
CITY opposed them in long memorandum. The
Democratic Attorney General used his influence
against them And now the whole party, haV-
ing fought their enactment is squarely on rec
ord for their repeal. Whether it is folly or
NOT. as "The World says. depends on practical
considerations There should, for instance, be
no difficulty in raising handsome campaign
fund on that issue.
If the people wish to preserve the Hughes
reforms they will have TO reflect the Governor.
1t will not do to pin faith on Mr. ChaDler as
an admirer of the Governor. He will be In
the hands of party leaders who in the service
of certain interests. have consistently fought
those reforms and who are now engageu III
an effort 10 overthrow them.