The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-23
HUGHES ELOQUENT
IN PAYING TRIBUTE
Governor of New York Draws
Lessons From Life of Father
of His Country.
PROBLEM FOR AMERICA
BETTER PUBLIC SERVICE
Ideals of Washington Should
Obtain Among PreSent-Day
Leaders of the People.

PHILADELPHIA. Feb. oo,-As has
been itc custom for nearly 100 years, the
anniversary OF the birth of George WASH
ington was observed today by tho Uni
versity Of Pennsylvania as university
day." tho feature of which was the an
nounccu1ent of number OF gifts TO the
institution, the comforting of degrees and
tho address of Governor Hughes OF New
York. The exercises were held in the
Academy of Music. Governor Hughes
was honored with the degree of coctor
OF laws.
Presenting Governor Hughes, Provost
Harrison spoke of the governors courage
and dsnterestedncss.
In all our minds. In all our hearts"
the provost said. "a great light shines
forth In the armament Of our country,
in the character and personality OF the
gentleman who is about to address you.
Governor Hughes said IN part;
Address of Governor.
I'm this commemoration there Is hap
pity typified that union OF educational
and patriotic purposes which. 10 attain
our national hopes, must be firm and In
diSSoluble.
1T Is the distinction OF this unver-
sity that II Is able TO trace its founda-
tion To the wisdom and lar siShtednesS
of the illustrlous American sage. who was
the foremost OF his day in learning and
in wisdom.
Devoted as Franklin was 10 the puT-
suit of knowledge and the inquiries of
science. his fundamental object in seek
ing 10 make this provision for education
was patriotic.
1T is peculiarly fitting that the uni
versity so founded should commemorate
this anniversary. In no better way can
the patriotic purpose of Benjs min Frank
lin nc appropriately emphasized than In
obedience 10 the example OF George
Washington.
The problem OF America today is TO
secure honest and faithful performance
of public obligation. Important questions
constantly claim our attention. and IL Is
easy, In the zeal OF political controversy
sight Of the simple requirements of tidel-
lty in administration. But We cannot al
ford 10 forget that. whatever the merit
Of legislative proposals. the final test
purpose Of public servants: We have
been slckeneJ with corruption that rots
publlc enterprise and with tho spectacle
OF legislative halls and administrative Of
ficcs turned into market plnces. where
the exercise OF goverrmcntol powers Ns
made the subject OF barter and sale.
Worthy of Emulation.
I'VE have representative government.
but how shall we improve the quality
Of representation sove by iniuSlnS the
OF Washington. and thus assuring CON
slant and cordial response TO the i'm
peratvcs Of honor? How. save by deyei-
opinC that sense OF obligation and that
iuvincible loyalty TO trust which made
Washington not simply q military nero
and n popular and trusted leader in a
critical period of history. but beyond that
the incarnation OF public virtues and the
tyne forever. In this nation and all 9TH
ers. OF the true public scrVant-the ideal
representative OF the people,
The artihces Of political manipulators
were TO him contemplate. Alike In de-
feat and in victory, whether as military
general or as chief magistrate, nothing
could seduce or daunt or alright him or
NJ fair dealing and honorable execution
of duty which made him the embodiment
OF the cause OF liberty. 1t always VIII be
the glory of this nation that al its very
beginning II was demonstrated in the
character OF Washington that the ideals
Of representative government are not un-
attainablc. That FOR which Washington
must be most admired is that in which
he can be most easily followed. II is
not given to other men 10 exhibit his
military geuius, his power Of command
or the majesty OF his personal dignity
but il is permitted to every public OFF,
Ger. great or small whelber In narrow
or wide range Of official activity. In VIII
laEc board. In common council, IN legis-
latjye body or in administrative cN-
ecutive places to illustrate that coneep-
tion OF public duty and that unfailing
fcalty TO the public interest which was
the dominant characteristic of Washing
tons life
Takes Optimistic View.
'The most significant feature of our
present life is not the widespread exist
encc of evil. but the organi1ed efforts TO
check it, not the rcCrettable display OF
avarlce. but the determination 10 protect
the public interest against ever reaching
cupidity: not the waste OF lives in lux
nrious idleness but the magnitude of
fruitful endcayor: not the prevalence OF
vice and misery. but the extension of
rc!ormatory agencies and the orsdnIa-
ton of philanthropy; not civic indi0er
oncc however lamentublc may be It's
scope. but the widening demands Of pub
lie spirit and the more emphatic asscr-
tlon of community rights; not political
manipulation but the indignation of the
people at its abuses: not taithless legisls-
Tors and administrative officials. but the
which they arouse and tho
range Of their Illicit activities.
1--WE shall not avoid mistakes but in
the main neither intlamma,ory and dem
aeoCical appeal nor the dishonest argu-
ments of special privilege will control the
final outcome. OF first Importance is that
we should respect the Institutions Of our
country and love the ways of calm rea
son. This despite the occasional effcr-
vosceuces' which Washington toresaw, is. !
afIcr all The American habit >"