The Washington times., 1913-08-12
COLLEAGUES REGRET
SUFFERS POSITION
Progressive Men of All Parties
Believe Expose Is Blow to
Advanced Legislation.

Washington has been watching the
proceedings at Albany and before the
| Irawley committee in New York in
| recent weeks with an unusual meas
urc Of interest because of the charges
| against Governor Sulzer and the de-
vclopments which threaten to end in
| his impeachment
| Governor SClZer. by reason OF near
| ly twenty years service in the House
OF Representatives, is as well or bet
ter known in Washington than in Al
hany. and now that his enemies
threaten TO drive him out of public
| life there is the keenest sort Of con-
ccrn over the course the fight between
| the governor and his opponents will
take.
Expressions of regret are heard on
every hand among old colleagues Of
Governor Sulzer i'm Congress. Even con-
servatives who used to denounce Sulzer
as demagogue. were for the most part
on good terms with him personally and
deplore the disclosures which have been
made.
Express Regret.
Progressive men of all parties are a
over what has occurred. They would
be deeply pleased II Governor SuIzer
were able to make a satisfactory expla-
nation. On the face Of things, however,
there is little to indicate he can explain
in fashion that will not at best leave
his record as governor or candidate for
governor sadly marred. Even II the
governor should pull through without
being impea or without being ousted
after being impeached, the general feel
ing here among the men who have Deen
watching many of the things he did at
Albany with approval is that his use
fulness as chief executive of New York
will be over.
It seldom happens that political de-
velopments in a State cause as much
talk on all hands in Washington as the
attacks on Sulzer in New York. Pro-
gressive men here deprecate what has
occurred, because they feel II Is likely
to have a profound effect on national
politics.
Will Aid Murphy.
In the first place, the successful GUST
ing of Sulzer. as viewed here VIII
greatly strengthen Murphy and weaken
the prospects for compelling reorgaPl-
zatlon Of Tammany which would get
that institution out from under the
thumb of Murphy and men OF his stripe
In the second place. the disclosures as
to Sulzer will enable reactionaries To-
throw discredit on progressive men ana
mea sures the country over.
The evidence brought out as TO Gov
ernor SulZeT." said a Progressive mem
Der of Congress, makes II easy for all
the reactiOnaries in the country 10 get
I'D and yell, 1 told YOU so apart
from the hope | had that Sulzer MouLu
bring about real reforms in New York
State. the national effect OF this 'hlnS
to my mind is lamentable.'
Sulzer's career IN Congress was
unique. II was the common under
standing that he remained in Congress
as long as he did as the result Of his
marvellous capacity to keep the trGst
and good will of the people of his dis
trict In the face of dislike from MuT-
phv and other leaders of TammanE.
Taken Lightly.
Suffers disposition to make speeches
on many occasions and his invariable
tendency to radical pronOuncements
caused him. in some quarters here to
be tagen lightly. Nevertheless. 1t is
a fact that in the course of his long
service in the House he was responsible
for important legislation. For in
stances. he was for years an advocate
of a Department OF Labor He worked
insistently to this end, and it was in
no small measure due to him that the
bill was finally passed.
The abrOgatiOn of the Russian treaty
because Of the failure of Russia to ac-
cord proper passport privileges 10
American Jews was to a large extent
due to Suffers efforts. He was a
friend of President Taft and also Of
President Roosevelt. and was always
welcome at the White House.
II he passes into political eclipse or
oblivion. nowhere will it he more sin
Cerelv felt than among his old assOCi-
,to har