New-York tribune., 1909-01-31
HUGHES NOT THE ISSUE
Continued from FIRST page.
t We should make


educational equipment We have only begun
the development of our common schools, and
TINS Is but one phase of activity.
We are proud of the judicial work. We are
proud OF the eminent who have adorned our
bench. and no one more than L recognizes the
respect which is due TO the authority of the
courts and the necessity for maintaining that
respect IL we are to have founded, free in
proprlety and industry in connection with the
work Of our lower courts. particularly our Grim
lnal courts; and we must see TO It in this town
and throughout the state that by Improvement
In machinery shall secure a better admin
istration of justice in those courts which touch,
perhaps, alone two-thirds Of all our population.
1t is not too much to say that some Of our
judicial processes at this time are disgrace to
civilization We find to very large extent our
courts cranlmed with negligence cases We find
employers paying large sums for insurance
against liability on their part employers. We
find perhaps 30 per cent of all this amount paid
for insurance ever reaching those who actu-
ally injured incapacitated through INJURY.
We find in the prosecution of our ordinary proc
esses Of justice attorneys receiving from 80 to
80 per cent of all that may be collected in con-
nection with certain classes of injuries
It is q standing Indictment of our present
methods, and must by observation and care
ful ANALYSIS find out in time what properly
be done to remedy such an obvious defect We
are at the beginning of civilization. 1t is
easy for us, gathered together under Circum-
stances like these. when of ability and
talent and fair degree of prosperity may con-
graduate themselves upon their individual ac-
complishments. to forget how far short the sum
total of these accomplishments is OF what we
should endeavor to achieve. we must constant
ly be energized and look to the future. We
must hitch our wagons TO a star. I believe in
idealism. ] believe in holding to the ideals of
this Republic They ideals closely asso-
ciated with freedom of individual opportunity
Strongly I believe in regulation of those
enterprises which affect the public interest,
recognize with all of you the supreme impor-
tance of holding forth worthy reward for per
seveTing and honest effort. l with the man
who wants to open avenues for individual
mt a q /
niZe what is necessary in our collective work
We have these great questions connected with
our judicial problems TO be solved
CONDITIONS NEAR DISGRACE.
The time is not so far distant when we will
regard it as little short of a disgrace that we
should have existed in conditions like
these, when our courts perhaps should be bur
dened by one-third OF their work. and accom-
pllsh little OK the purposes OF Jusuce ihese
things can be attined only by constant study, by
unremtting effort.
We have, in addition. great public works.
We desire to make communication easy.
We want the avenues of trade opened. We do
not desire competition unjust and improper with
those enterprises which have been established by
hard work and conspicuous ability, but We do
want the commerce Of the future TO have
abundant course and to have that healthy
activity which must depend in the last analysis
upon absolute freedom of intercomnunication-
Therefore it is that very desirous that
the public works of the state connected with
our artificial waterways should be fntelligentIy
prosecuted. We want water powers de-
veloped. I have seldom seen any more severe
indictment Of a civilized community than that
which has been presented in connection with
the report of our water supply commissioners
with regard TO the water power which is daily
running to waste in this state. These are mat
tiers which must receive our attention. We can
secure g great advancement industrially In this
state. but we should be alive to the need and
realize that collective effort Is necessary, ana
we should make every endeavor to secure it. to
make 1t possible. 70 make ii efficient TO have II
honest.
Now, in connection with all this work. where
the state is desired TO make progress in the in
terest Of all the citizens Of the state, what is
essential? II is absolutely essential that we
should have faithful representation. ask no
ona to take account oS particular plans or 10
single man connected with the state govern
r1ent to surrender his convictions to me for any
price or under any conditions have pro
found confidence in the merit Of argument and
IN the presentation OF sound reasoning. Despite
what has been said with regard TO the necessary
extension Of opportunity in the public schools,
ve have great reason for congratulat;on upon
the wide extension that We note Of the intelli-
gence OF our people. Never before have there
knew what they voting for. Never has
there been time when there was so much
actual knowledge Of existing facts and such a
wide diffusion Of information.
WANTS POLITICAL BOYCOTT ENDED
But with all that We must constantly en-
that Intelligence and to the sound public opinion
which results from that diffusion of informa
ton I want TO see the methods Of the black
list and the boycott in connection with our. .po-
litical parties done away with want TO see
the time pass when anybody can assume the
role of dictator of e, free city.
DO not care what your politics may be,
whether you agree with me or not; ! simply
stand for the free expression OF the will of the
people through the party system. in order that
every leadership and every representative may
stand upon the expressed will Of its constituents
And therein see the hope Of the community
We are not born TO servitude of any character
We are not in any way committed to this man
or that man. The happiest day for the mem
Der Of the Legislature is whe nhe can say 10
Nj A or 10 Mr.. B.. Il have done my duty, and
am ready to account TO those who elected me-
Il is the salvation OF the public officer
The matter is not one of personal conse-
o3Ience to me Nothing regret more than an
alignment of so-Caled Hughes men and anti
Hughes men. am not in issue. It makes no
personal difference TO me what becomes OF any
particular controversy with regard TO matters
Of debate so long l can make sure that am
right and that time Will vindicate the position
that has been taken.
What I am most concerned with is the prog
ress and prosperity OF the great state Of which
we are all so proud ] want to see our public
works conducted with the utmost efficiency.
want to see opportunities for education en-
larged. I want to the laws delays dimin-
ished- I want to see our courts relieved of bur
f7ens unjustly thrown upon them by a system
which conduces to the benefit of ambulance
chasers and of particular sets OF attorneys. and
has little for the benefit Of the injured or the
workingInen.
desire 10 see politics free and pure far
human nature will permit Do not suppose that
I cherish any delusion with regard to either poll
tics or human nature. ] was not born yester-
dav The longer 7 live the more persuaded
become Of the necessity for every mans com
fort of the possession Of true philosophy. The
MANIFEST moments perhaps that enjoy are IN
,ne midnight hour when read the discourses
Of F,uictetus. No. not contemplating a
Trtouja II is not that desire to press men
bevond what they can normally achieve II Is
simply that we should have q recognition OF our
ouportunities as citizens. and our duty as clt-
zens Of the great state that we are so tor'u-
nate in having our citizenship In