The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-05-08
A Plain Case.

from its arduous labors and returned to
its eager constituents it bequeathed to
Governor HUoHEs an interesting di-
lemma, the choice between a 81 900 900
item for new canals and a 81, 900, 900 gift
to the civil war veterans of this State.
To be sure, the Legislature did not even
recognize the existence Of the dilemma
The fact that the State Constitution ex-
pressly forbade the submission of more
than one financial item to the people in
any wear was of course unknown to the
Albany statesmen. Even. If they had
known it, however. their course could
hardly have been different. When was
mere constitutionality a bar to indie
pendent and enlightened legislation?
The Governor, however, is limited by
the Constitution, a fact which all good
citizens must regret as sincerely as he
does. Unfortunately he can take but
one Of the projects. In Albany there
seems to be a good deal of agitation over
his ultimate decision. We think this un-
necessary. Governor HUGHES will select
the canal item. In the first place it is
much the larger; this in itself is an ade-
ouate recommendation. In the second
place it is less defensible, if any defence
is necessary for the appropriations Of
inspired legislators.
There are other important reasons,
however, why a wise Governor, like our
present Executive, should select the
canal item. II the veterans pension
plan were adopted, s2,OOO,OoO would be
paid directly to a few weather worn
veterans of no particular political
merit or prominence. Such q subsidy
is plainly i~ndefensible. There will be
no such dissemination Of corrupting
largess if the canal item is adopted.
There will be no waste or seepage to the
mere citizen. A new and well fruited
plum bill may be added to the political
garden Of the gods, but there will be no
outward evidence of waste. The right
contractor and the properly authenti-
Gated politician will get the appropria-
ton Of course, but public morals will
be preserved by the respectable cover
of a canal appropriation.
It is probable that a few disagreeable
persons Of annoying proclivities will
venture to inquire why, as between the
ridiculous and the outrageous, a wise
Governor should choose at all. With
them We have no sympathy. Probably
they are anti-canallers. In any event
their position convicts them of evil
thoughts, for do they not know that the
people by vote will decide as to the
question of the mourning of expense
anyway? Not TO trust the wisdom of
the people in such a cas- is to doubt
the efficacy Of direct nominations them
selves. This, We think, is a sufficient
revelation of their character or lack Of it
to dispose of them.
. We do not presume to advise the
Governor. That would be sadly unbe-
coming. We know that he will act
wisely. We rely upon his inspiration as
we have relied upon the experience and
training of other Executives. So con-
hdent are we that the path of wisdom
leads to the larger expense without ex-
ception that we regard that 5000, 600
as already as good as spent. AS for
our unfortunate friends the veterans,
they cannot command our sympathy.
II they had asked for $40, 600, 900 the ease
might have been different; but for once
their unexpected modesty has proved
their undoing. We trust the lesson will
not be lost upon them.
BY all means let us have more canals.
Here we are on the eve of communica-
.tion with Mars, and how paltry and
pitiful will our canal showing be when
the inevitable comparison takes place.
There has been much talk about State
pride and race pride. The time has
come to show proper planet pride. OF
course we do remember that there was
once a Governor at Albany who devoted
time and attention to canal questions
and as a result was elected President Of
the United States; but that was a long
time ago, before the universal obedience
to the Ten Commandments made pos
sible Executive excursions into finer de-
tails of morals. OF course history may
ultimately repeat itself; but in the mean
time we know no better way to insure
future awakening than by present ex-
tension Of the inspired canal scheme.