The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-05-13
A Fatal Compromise

step in the right direction. The Re-
publican and Democratic organizations
Joined in a common cause to defeat
the direct primary bill, and when this
was accomplished this bipartisan COM
bination was maintained until several
important measures affecting corpo-
rate interests were either defeated or
emasculated by the devious process Of
amendment
The great trouble with the govern
or's campaign for direct primaries,
which has vitality affected his career,
was that he offered the compromise
himself instead Of forcing his oppo-
nents to do so.
Men who have voted for every re-
form measure the governor ever pro-
mulgated went on record against him
on his direct primary bill; also last
year the Hughes telephone and tele-
graph control bill received over thirty
votes in the assembly. This year it
got but four votes when first voted on
and five the second time.
Real Rulers of State and Country.
The business interests of this coun-
try control this country. The business
men Of the various states control the
various states. The business men con-
troll political parties. When the gov
ernor of state so conducts himself in
office as to antagonize powerful bust
ness interests and to fill them with
distrust Of his policies he faces fin
ish fight for his political existence.
The stringent nature of certain of
the Hughes reforms have caused some
Of the important business interests to
attempt to go to the other extreme
and wipe out all state control over
their affairs. An interesting indica-
ton Of this tendency was revealed be-
fore the judiciary committee Of the
New York state senate a week before
the legislature adjourned
Joseph H. Choate, former ambassa-
dor to England, appeared for the Ryan
street railway interests in opposition
to the Davis bills extending the power
Of the public service commission. He
condemned the measures numerically.
Finally Senator George A. Davis Of
Lancaster, the committee chairman, in
terrupted Mr.. Choate, asking:
"A1r. Choate, is it possible that you
can find nothing good at all in these
bills?"
eyes," quickly retorted Mr.. Choate.
II haven't been looking for anything
good in them"
The political future of Governor
Hughes will be determined during the
next year.
His party organization is willing to
stand by him. to renominate him if he
so desires or to promote him-for a
consideration. And that consideration
is that he modify his policies, abandon
radical reform programs and follow
the lead of his organization instead Of
trying to lead the organization. In the
words Of a prominent member Of the
legislature spoken to the writer a few
days ago, IF Charley becomes docile
he will go higher, for even his bitter
est enemies recognize his ability"
Will Charley become docile?
The only answer will be his legisla-
tive program next winter, year lead
| ing to another state convention, year
of peculiar political significance there
fore. Various Of the governors impor-
tant issues Of this year have been
smothered by the recent creation of
legislative Investigating commissions
which are to report to the next legis-
lature. These commissions are to inves-
tigate direct nominations and the ques-
ton as to whether the jurisdiction Of
the public service commission shall be
extended over telephone and telegraph
companies, and they will also investi-
gate the matter of a new charter for
the city Of Greater New York.
If these commissions make reports
adverse to the governors views, will
he resign himself to the inevitable, or
will he have, bills introduced to com
bat the organization leaders and to
carry out his own recommendations?
In other words. viii he start another