New-York tribune., 1910-01-12
HUGHES ON BOSSES
AGAINST THEIR RULE.
Discusses Abuses of Party Or
gdmsdtiOn IN Yale Lecture.

New Haven, Jan. 11.-Contnuing his
lecture on Political PARTIES the fourth
lecture in the Dodge course at Yale Unver-
sity. Governor Charles f. Hughes OF New
York discussed to-day the abuses of party
organization, which, he said. tended to cor
rupt the very core of government. The
Governor condemned boss rule and the
passing of legislation for the benefit of
special interests advocated the divorce of
judicial elections and party obligations and
contended that the limitation Of the influ-
ence of national parties with respect to
municipal elections was of especial impor-
tance.
Party organization for the benefit of
party managers and party workers." he
said, "can lead to but one thing. the
supremacy OF the boss" After tracing
briefly the methods by which the suprem-
acy was maintained, the Governor con-
-inued:
Thus is created an irresponsible personal
government not only unknown to the Con-
stitution. but alike unknown to any admis-
sible theory of government by party. This
is the government of the so-called boss.
ability and intelligence. Some may have
large outlook upon public affairs and
seek the support of disinterested and pub
lfc-spirited citizens by frequent use of their
power to public advantage.
Others may be cynical even brutal.
Hay 6 and pDs invoke o eatt the sry Fad
But the boss displays the same char
acteristics in whatever party we find him.
and another in another: but they cover the
same sinister designs. If they are
threatened by public measures: or legis-
lation is aimed at evils which thrive
under their protection, they unite and the
divisions OF party are forgotten in the de-
fence of the common cause
aSrair n
the limits Of their districts. They control
the nominations of members Of the Legis-
lature and dictate their votes upon legs,
they are left at home: their humiliation
gives no concern; 1t is the just punish
ment of treason
Several local managers enjoying power In
communities of large population might
combine TO dominate legislatures and state
officers, added the Governor, and the out
growth of this domination might be found
in the corrupt alliances between party
managers and special interests. On this
point he said:
But the abuses of party organization are
fraught with other dangers than those
which involve the impairment of public
service and the maintenance OF the per-
sonal rule Of the boss" There is con-
slant effort by special interests to shape
or to defeat legislation. to seek privileges
and to obtain favors in the administration
OF departments
So close is the relation of government 10
many large enterprises, particularly to
public service corporations, that there IS
the strongest incentive to control the gov
ernment in their interest. For this purpose
they are willing to supply the snews of
political campaigns and desire in return to
name legislators and administrative Off
GERS. The political machine, especially the
personal machine, furnishes the most ready
instrument to their purpose.
The result is the making Of corrupt al
liances between party managers and spe-
cial interests. the former eager for power
and money, the latter seeking protection
and governmental favoritism. In these alli-
ances we have the most dangerous con-
spiracy against the government of the ma
ton, the state and the local community.
Governor Hughes said that much reform
could be accomplished by limiting the
great national parties TO their appropriate
field. The office of Judge. he said. was the
last place that should be used for the
purpose of party rewards. AS a further
argument in favor OF the limitation of the
activity of the national parties he said:
But of especial Importance is the limita-
tion of the influence of national parties
with respect TO the election @ OF ohcers hn r't 0t
democracy to the blush, and we nave Deen
disgraced by the ineff1ciency and corruption
displayed in its administration 1t cannot
tional party politics. with the divisions ana
cohesions caused by national party loyal
ties, into the affairs of cities is largely re-
sponsible for this.
Such are the opportunities of local ad-
n1nistration that these associations come
to be mere combinations for the enrich
ment of their more powerful members
Concern for the national interests or the
party is subordinated to the greed OF
municipal parasites. Whenever such a
combination exists for the dominating. not
TO say ooting. of a city the eirst duty OF
tie citizens Is to demolish 1t, whatever
party name it bears, The movement IN
this direction is making gratifying progress
throughout the country.
The Governor advanced the assertion
that the perverson Of party organization
throve on ignorance, Indifference and Gu
pidity. He advised the Yale students TO
ioin a party. and then stand firmly against
every effort to corrupt it or 10 use 1t for
a. selfish purpose.