Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-30
Gov. Hughes Makes Plea for
Purity. in Politics.
DECLARED FOE OF BRIBERY
Fullest Inquiry Into Corrupt Pac-
tees Earnestly Advocated.
NOMINATIONS BY THE PEOPLE
Election of Committees by. Secret
Vote Of Party Members-Duty
of Leaders.

NEW YORK. March 3O.-Gov. Hughes
was cheered last night as he advocated
annihiiation of graft in politics in an ad-
dress at a banquet Of the merchants ex-
change He did not refer specifically to
scandals at Albany at any time during
his speech. but when he had concluded
he was asked for en- expression on the
Aids decision of yesterday. To this ne
replied, paraphr asing his address:
There must be the very fullest inves-
tigation by all the proper means."
The political household needs disin-
fecting and We shall save money by max
ing the process thorough one" declared
the governor.
Fullest inquiry by every competent
means" into the charges of political cor
ruption in New York state were advo-
Gated by the governor. who declared that
he had no panacea for prevention OF flu
ture public ills Of a similar nature, but
declared anew his belief in the direct pri-
mary as a sautary measure for purg-
ing the political system.
starting with the declaration that po-
litical corruption is not partisan. but the
common enemy, Gov. Hughes saio
These are wholesome days for the
people OF this state, full Of opportunity
and promise. 1t is not when the pesti-
fence is known, the infected quarters as
certained and every effort made to limit
and eradicate that we have reason to be
alarmed, but rather when ignorance or
indifference permits 1t TO spread I'M
checked.
Foe of Bribery and Corruption.
Il am republican. strongly attached
TO my party and earnest in the desire for
republican success, but I cherish a con-
Germ deeper and more vital than that.
] want to see the Illicit efforts OF privi-
lege frustrated, bribery and corrupt ar
ransements destroyed and the market
places where governmental favor has
been bought and sold converted into true
assemblies of honest representatives of
the people.
We should seek to the fullest extent
possible the benefit Of the purifying in
tluence Of publicity. This is not a time
pleasant schemes to hoodwink the peo-
pie There must be straightforward
dealing. Some object that II costs money
to investigate. That Is true, but it will
cost more not to investigate The politi-
cal household needs disnfecting, and we
shah save money by making the process
thorough one.
Fullest Inquiry Advocated.
Let there be the fullest inquiry by
every competent means
IT Is needed to expose those who have
been faithless to their trust. 1t is needed
10 put an end to corrupt alliances be-
tween business and politics.
1t is needed to protect honest bust
ness.
1T is just to the honorable men in the
legislature, who should not be the vic
Tins OF an indiscriminate denunciation
by reason of practices in which they
have no part.
1T is just to party organisation, that
u may be saved from the corrupt uses
which have brought it into contempt
Protection Against Deception.
1T is needed to show how and wherein the
PEOPLE have been deceived. that they may
protect themselves against deception in
re future.
1T is necessary in order that remedial
measures. whether in legislative rules or
in statutes. should be adopted so az to re-
Gsce to a minimum the opportunities for
stealth and of chicanery in advancing or
retarding legislative proposals.
Whatever may be the result of such an
long time, that we should make a
shange in our methods OF nominating can
t{dates for elective offlces. The revela-
lions of the past few weeks have supplied
fresh evidence OF the defects OF the pres
fnS system under which fraud and corrup-
ton have prospered.
The single aim of political corruption
lists is to place In ONCE men who win do
their bidding, upon whom they can de-
pend to further their interests. These gen
orally are not party interests At all. hut
purely personal interests. and the stamp
OF the dollar is on most OF them.
People to Choose.
Il favor plan Of direct nominations
by which party candidates for elective Of
fees shall be chosen directly by the secret
vote Of the party voters. I also favor the
election of members OF party committees
by the direct vote Of the party voters.
This subject IL one about which / feel
keenly. and yet, as you must know, 1t I'M
wolves no personal interest OF mine The
Tespon sibility for proper action at this
time IN the improvement OF our nominal
Ing methods cannot be evaded. The issue
Inevitably will remain until IL in rightly