New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-02

that? They mean that they don't want this
method of regulating the public service Ihey
don't mean what they say. Take. for example
the principle Of government by commission
That was established under Governor IieVeiaiiu'
That established under Governor Hlii-
And now the Democrats oppose It, because
they are against government by commission: =, l
say it is hypocrisy. What they don't want WANT IS
government by the Public Service COMMISSION
not government by commission.
The Governor showed that it would be i'm
possible to place the duties of the Public Ser
vice Commission in the hands of any or the
elective officers, because their duties were no"
too manifold. They would simply have to ap-
point men TO do the work He added:
Now. the true way to have the peoples rights
enforced IN this matter is to charge upon some
officer the responsibility and give him the
power just you do in business. You select
a Governor. He is responsible to the people
He comes before them in two years Ihls talk
about election l don't think Is straighttorwar0
talk. Who dictated the Democratic platform!
What interests who desire freedom and license
are back of that attack Is this honest in
terest in principIes of constitutional govern
.ment, or is it desire to get rid Of the Pubic
Service Commission so IS TO restore the free-
dom which gives opportunity for the sort OF
financering we have had in the past? What Is
the real explanation?
No my friends, we have not yet arrived at the
point where we are going 70 turn our traction
system in New York over to the chargeof Con-
ners Murphy and McCarren.
+ = .EATMENT OF CORPORATIONS
The Governor then made a strong statement
of his position in treating with absolute justice
the traction corporations at the same time that
he is compelling them to live up to their obliga-
tons to the public. He said
Now, while we have been in front this, we
have been equally careful not to have arbitrary
action. Oh, | wish I could unfold to you my
vision Of government by the people realizing
Its grand purposes, instinct with justice, with
absolute fairness, while strict and rigid in the
TTBf or InT1 Iff6 n rjur,t md in
demnaton of wrong We are business COM
munity: We cannot fetter enterprise, We nave
no desire to be harsh or unjust with any one
VINO Is putting his money and his work INTO
any lawful enterprise.
I vetoed a 2-cent fare bill. I vetoed g.
cent fare bill NV critics have said: why
didn't you refer these matters to the courts
The courts were net organized to fix rates and
when the Legislature undertakes to deal with
1t has no right to pass-it may have the power.
but ii has no right to pass-laws reducing earn
ings and dealing with the returns of public ser
vice corporations until after proper investigation
it is known whether that is fair
These matters require study and investiga-
ton. Why, we are most anxious to have all
our transit facilities developed; we want ade-
quate service, and the public, from one end of
the country to another, is clamoring for in
creased facilities, for new development, for
right service. Now. we want reasonable freight
and passenger rates. but when we put the han1
Of government on enterprise and when pass
laws we want to know that we are still leav-
ing what is necessary to give good service, to
pay proper wages. to conduct the business, and
until that is known have right to pass
any legislation regarding the matter.
We feel a grievance. We think that some
thing is wrong. and then because. Of kind Of
desperation about getting anything done right
We up and throw a brick at the first head in
sight. And it is a Legislative brick at that and
then there is great turmoil and the courts
take hand at it. and we have long litigation,
and every thing is brought into disrepUte, be-
cause we have got little vengeful in eff
fort to correct things and we want TO accom-
nllSh n q NOT int 1rnnp
what we do as about doing something. Now,
the real waE,is to make sure that You do right,
and realize that you cannot afford In this coun-
try to be WrongAand would rather move more
slowly and feel sure of my ground and deal
fairly with business enterprise, while at the
same time. seeking strictly to enforce the pub
lie obligation, than gain votes by careless treat
ment Of anything which might seem to be in
! the general interest of the people.
WANTS REAL INTEREST OF PEOPLE.
I-want- the real interest of the people. and if
they not content with that am sorry I
do not Want to make political capital by pre-
tending to be friend of the people Wien in act
know Would he doing an injustice. That Is
not my wa9'.
The Governor explained the .antl-racetrack
gambling bill, and added. -. .... ~
Now. L have never said or done thing
against the liberties Of the citizen. ] have never
had thought in my heart to restrict the free
dom of our people. You cannot point TO a
thought or act of mine that.is against legitimate
enjoyment, What have stood for is the con-
stitution That is the basis of our liberty I
have stood for it because of my oath Of office
If our opponents want to repeal that law let
them say so manfully.
Regarding direct nomination the Governor
said in part:
am a great believer in party organization
and l partisan. And like honest and eff
fectiYe leadership l want to the voting
strength of the party in direct communication
with those concerned in party management |
want a man when he goes to vote to feel that
he is doing something; that he counts voters
weight. Therefore. I have been in favor of hav-
ing direct nominations, so that there would UNI
questiOnably be free expression Of the will Of
the people as To the choice of candidates. I am
most DESTROYS that this should be accomplished
in order that we may strengthen just political
leadership while diminish the opportunities
Of improper action,
Now. II our opponents not in favor of di-
rect nominations. let let them say so and we can
try that out. We simply want to know where
the criticism lies and where it is just.
In conclusion the Governor said
Having become identified with a certain line
of administration and being anxious to save
what has been gained and to gain more and be-
ing DESTROYS to establish firmly what have
sought to establish, l am here tonight as
candidate for recollection.
You know the record Why every news
paper for the last twenty months has chrOnicled
the days doings at Albany. We have not been
working behind closed doors. What is TO be