New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-02
POLICE TO Be AN ISSUE
Republicans Plan Fight on
Corruption in City.
LEWIS FIRES FIRST GUN
Former Rochester Senator Will
Have Charge of Campaign
in This State.

Former Senator Merton +. Lewis. OF
Rochester. who as chairman of the re-
Gently appointed executive committee OF
the Republican State Committee, will bear
most of the brunt OF the state campaign
this year, while State Chairman Barnes
will devote most OF his time to the ma
tional campaign as chairman of the adj
yisory committee of the national COM
mittee, took up his task at state head
quarters yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Barnes
said that while he would spend most of
| his time at his desk at national head
quarters, he did not propose to abandon
altogether the general direction OF the
| state campaign.
Chairman Barnes and Mr. Lewis spent
several hours In consultation on the plans
Of the state campaign. I'm assuming the
duties OF this position" said Mr. Lewis.
II am conscious of the fact that / am
taking upon myself a great responsibility
and laborious task. | feel, however
that the Republican party is entitled to
my best efforts, and l shall do my best
to Justify my appointment"
With the right sort OF a campaign, Mr..
Lewis said, 1t ought not to be hard for
/
more the record of President Taft Is
Analysed the more 1t would appeal to tho
voters Of the state He could not believe
that the farmers and mechanics were
ready to abandon the policies that had
resulted in universal prosperity and I'M
dertake the experiment of absolute free
trade to which the Democratic party and
candidate were committed. Nor could he
believe that the people Of the country
were ready to cast aside tradition and
elect to third term a man who was an
open advocate Of proposition that would
destroy the liberties now possessed BY
them under the Constitution.
Speaking Of the state situation Mn
Lewis said
1t is inconceivable that the state ad-
ministration can be Endorsed by the cleo
ton OF Z Democratic Governor or Le3is-
lature. The record made at Albany DUR
ing the last two years will be fatal TO
| the aspirations Of Democratic candidates
| for state and legislative positions
The creation OF new offices, the increase
in the membership Of existing commits
sions and the creation OF new commits
sions; the passage Of the grotesquA
absurd and dishonest direct primary law;
the utter lack of appreciation of the
needs Of the great rural population OF the
state; the unfair. If not dishonest dis
| tributlon OF the liberal appropriation for
| the construction of improved roads; the
extravaganza which has characterized the
expenditure Of such appropriations
| these, together with the utter incapacity
| Of the Democratic party in the Legis-
lature, are common knowledge among the
| voters of the state.
The Democratic party has had its op-
| portunity: It has failed again, as IL has
| failed before, TO meet It's responsibilities
and II will be turned out of Office again
as II has been before for the reason that
| X has again shown that II is not equal 70
| the task which IL assumed.
Tho condition of affairs in New York
| City, as disclosed during the last few
weeks, makes 1t necessary that the Re
| publican party be returned to power in
| the state in order that a remedy for eX-
| listing evils may be provided. There must
| be something wrong with system under
which such things as have been done can
| be done
1T will doubtless be necessary said
Mr.. Lewis. ito pass laws at Albany 10
prevent the corruption of police officials
| IN New York City. The Republican party
| can be trusted 10 meet this situation with
| courage and integrity. II Will hardly be
claimed that a Legislature dominated "
| those at present in control of the Demo-
| cratic party OF the state can do any such
thing"