New-York tribune., 1909-09-16
DEFENDS STATE POW Err
Mayor Mcclellan Talks ON Spirit of
the Constitution.

Rochester. Sept. 15-MayOr George B. Mcclellan
OF New York, after speaking the Wyoming
County Fair, In Warsaw. this afternoon. returned
to this city this evening and entertained at
dinner at the Genesee Valley Club by Democratic
State Committeeman Thomas w. Finucane. An
informal reception was then held at the Whitcomb
House. and Mayor Mcclellan left at 945 O'Clock for
Malone. where he will speak at another agricult-
uTal fair. From Malone he will return 10 New
York. Mayor Mcclellan would not discuss politics
here tonight. except give it as his opinion that
the fusonists in New York City did not know
where they stood He said there truth In
a report from Syracuse to the effect that he had
said that he believed Judge Gaynor would be
Tammany's candidate for Mayor. He was asked
regarding the charges made by ex-POliee Connmis-
soner Bingham. but would not discuss them.
In his speech at Warsaw. Mayor Mcclellan.
speaking on the preservation of the spirit OF the
Constitution. said in part:
A tendency has recently been developing in the
direction of a Capitalization never contemplated
Fven that ereaf Tav% % AisSaIer Tisr1i
ton. when he had reached the compromise upon the
compromise that he had helped TO bring about The
pTesentday tendency IS to ignore that compromise,
buried with the doctrine of secession and 70 per
the powers expressly reserved to the states by the
II is our duty to preserve nviolate the spirit OF
conservatism which has always actuated US in the
because IL is the past n Is 10 be respected becaHss
OF the lessons which its experience teaches We
ings OF the fa'hers because OF hlial devotion, but
we should apply where possible the fathers teach
ings remodelled to meet new conditions; and
where experience has Iroved such teachings wrong
or when they do not meet the requirements of
modern times. then should Law them aside and
h9d new measures for new things. We should not
follow every fad and fancy OF the hour simply be-
cause it Is new. We should not follow strange
gods and stranger men merely for a love OF change
We ought not 70 assume that any change must be
an Improvement, for even though existing Condi-
tions may 10 some respects be had they capable
OF being made Infinitely worse
There Is nothing so sacred about the Constttu-
But where such amendment-is desired Il should be
frankly faced and not lodged If the states are
20 be reduced to the position of provinces. IL our
whole scheme and system OF government is 10 be
changed II we are TO be ruled from Washington in
state commerce power of the Constitution is 20 be
used 10 regulate not only corporations, but per
sons who may or may not actually do an inter
state commerce business. II the power OF taxation
is TO be used to pry into the affairs Of every do
mestc corporation; IL. in short state sovereientv
is to become Joke and state government a mem
ory, let the Constitution be amended openly IN
dark. - $50
When public opinion really desires that the
various powers Of the state should be Welded 20
the nation, let II be done regularly and in order
But meanwhile II Is the duty of all Americans who
beieve In political honor and political honesty no
matter how they may differ in the principles they
stitution.