New-York tribune., 1910-01-06
THE GOTERNOP.S uEssAGE.


Governor Hughes's message contains
almost no important recommendations
which are also novel and brings no new
question before the public. aside from the
matter of the interstate park extension.
In general the Governor contents him.
self with repeating previous recommen-
dations. but his messa ge is none the less
notable for its scope and variety. for the
grasp of state problems it shows and
for its sustained strength and interest
lt is the work of a statesman. and it
shows from end to end deep thought
upon the topics it discusses Ii is char
acterized throughout by that intellectual
power which the public has come to as
sociate with the Governors papers and
addresses. Every recommendation has
gone through the crucible of the Gov
ernor's mind Nothing half thought out
or i'll conceived is presented. The prod
ucts of other mems deliberations. ac-
cepted because of the authority of their
authors. are not in evidence. The mes
sage is not the result of talking over
the affairs of state with a cabinet of adj
visers, state commissioners and the like.
Wherever the various ideas have sprung
from. the Governor has made them his
own
Upon the fundamental question of i'm
proving governmental conditions Gov
ernor Hughes declares for a simpliticatiOn
of the duties of electors, for a reduction
in the number of elective offices. so that
the Governor would have the selection
1t,
simple ballot that would not permit rep
etition of candidates name, and for
the direct system Cf nominating candi-
dates for office. Some Of these changes
will require amendment of the state con-
stitution and, we might add, further edu-
cation of the public concerning their ad-
yantages-but reform of the ballot law
which would prevent the recurrence of
such & monStrosity as was pr sented 20
the voters in this city at the last election
is an immediate possibility and neces-
sity. and reform in the primary laws
which would do away with conventions
that neither represent nor deliberate
is one on which the people of this state
are probably already determined. The
Governor does not advocate direct NOM
nations because he hopes to change
human nature by legislation. h says,
but because. human nature being what
ii is. allowances have to he made for rs
weaknesses. AS it is now. 1.-The ordi-
nary party member. who cannot make
politics vocation. feels that he is
practically helpless. victim of
system of indirect. complicated and
pseudO-representativ activities. Ii
men were different they might struggle
with the difficulties of the present sys-
tenn and master them. but they are what
they are and the Governor purposes TO
give them something easier.
Though public attention will be largely
attracted to his recommendations re-
garding political reforms. Governor
Hughes devotes attention to economic
and administrative topics Of just as
much Importance. He goes at great
length into the conservation of the
states natural resources. He makes rec
concentrations for the early and SYSTEM
attic prepala tiOn Of the state budget He
renews his proposal for the extension Of
the Public Service commissions law TO
cover telegraph and telephone compa-
MES. The events Of the YEAR he says.
have served to emphasize the impor-
'tance of adequate supervision and regu-
'lation" of these utilities He suggests
automobile legislation. changes of law
that recent developments have shown 20
be necessary in the regulation Cf insur-
ance. reform of condemnation proceed
ings and a reduction of the DELAYS in
judicial procedure. Altogether the mes
sage is interesting and valuable as The
contribution of one of the best minds
IN the country to the solution Of the
problems Of state government.