The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-05
Z THEN Gov. Martin Fl. 0lynn ap-
~ pointed Patrick L. McCabe, the


w Democratic leader of Albany
county, as Conservation Com.
missioner at q salary OF $4,000 q year
he paid frankly and courageously q
debt in personal friendship that had
been mounting for twenty years. The
Governor undoubtedly realized that the
selection Of McCabe for a place Of tre-
mendous power and tremendous tempta-
lions would be assailed bitterly by party
leaders and party followers who have
been struggling to eliminate bosses OF
all kinds from the control of the party.
But Mr.. Glynn remembered that he
owes to Mr.. McCabe more than to any
other man his own rise to power. Put
Ting II squarely. Packy McCabe made
Martin II. Glynn Governor. and Martin
H. Glynn believes In standing by his
friends evidently. even though such 10y
atty plays hob with the party In the
State.
Estimating the worth Of Commits
sioner McCabe one finds two utterly
opposite characterizations-tha Of the
reform element in the Democratic party
who declare that McCabe IL q fair SAM
pie OF the kind OF boss who plays
politics for what he can get out Of It
for himself and his friends and who
leans his ear to the whisperings Of spe-
cial interests rather than to the calls
Of the people. and that OF the friends
and associates Of McCabe who assert
him to be a man Of unimpeachable char
scter. Of cultivated, even scholarly. bent
and one who plays politics for the fun
Of the game and for the love Of power
Many who were willing to attribute to
Mr.. McCabe the qualities OF personal
integrity and personal lil<eableness
were astonished when Gov. Glynn. the
other day. described the new Conserva-
ton Commissioner as "a better read
man than many Of his critics" Few
perhaps. had a notion that the boss
whose very nickname Of "Packy" savors
OF the rougher. tougher. unpublished
elements OF politics, was a reader OF
classical literature, could quote Shake
speare by the yard and could write cx.
ceilent. forceful English. The plain
facts are that Mr.. McCabe. whether you
accept or reject the estimate of the
enemies Of all bosses. is a man Of very
agreeable personality. who is devoted
10 his family: prides himself on never
having told lie in his life does no,
drink alcoholic liquors and does his
best to keep out Of the glare OF
notoriety.
When you 60 up to Albany you find
that most people, no matter what their
politics. have a good word to say for
The man who has been Clerk of the
Senate since 1911. II YOU ask. What
kind OF boss Is McCabe?" you will be
told. We'll. Packy is a pretty good sort
OF boss. He's different from Murphy
and some others" II you ask straight
out. Has McCabc ever been called a
CRATER" you will be informed that no.
body ever accused McCabe OF taking a
dollars worth Of benefit for himself, but
that he has always done his best to help
his friends to good Jobs and to use his
organization for what he stoutly con-
tended were the legitimate uses Of an
organization. The Governors own char
acterization OF Mr.. McCabe Is downright
and unqualified.
"And now comes McCabe. tho night
marc Of the hypercritical. How many
men who are criticising McCabe know
him or ever saw him? Well. I know
him. and I say he In a man OF honesty
and brains. The people who turn up
their noses at McCabe are unable to at
tack either his character or his ability.
McCabe Is a better read man than many
Of his critics. His private life is With
out stain. He reads. and what Is more
he thinks. Around McCabe his enemies
have built UP Q diabolical myth. Nc