New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-02
CANADIAN RATS
Mr.. Whitman Starts His Work
Soberlv and SanelV.

Governor Whitmar's inaugural address was
striking in its restraint and modesty. There was
IN II none of the extravaganza and egotism of the
Sulzer inaugural two years ago. The new EXecu-
tive refused 10 take an attitude and proclaim:
"The hour has struck; mine is the task Of admin
istrative reform" lie declined TO mark out for
himself and his fellows in the administration a
programme Of total regeneration Of state business
and the affairs of humankind. Instead he con-
hncd himself to promising to endeavor "to secure
competency, efficiency and economy in handling
the states affairs and solemn pledge Of "the
best that there is in us to the service Of the people
of the State Of New York"
Nevertheless, there was tone Of grim deter
mination in Mr.. Whitman's address of man
squaring his shoulders to take up heavy burden
That must indeed be the case, not only for the
Governor, but for each member of his admins
tration. As he pointed out the states financial
condition is anything but what it should be. The
state debt is about Sl6OOOOOO0; the annual
carrying charges impose a heavy load on the tax
PAYERS. There are five times as many state en-
ployes now as there were twenty years ago. The
appropriation bills this year will. in all prooab-
ity. exceed S5OOOOOOO.
With this mounting Of expenses annually have
gone unfortunately, an increasing confusion in
departments a multiplication of agencies Of gov
eminent without we'll defined scope of work and
deterioration Of department service. Governor
Hughes managed to scrape off some Of the moss
and revitalize those departments under immediate
jurisdiction of his appointees. but political and
legislative opposition TO certain of his reform pro
posals prevented his carrying out the complete
housekeeping which was his desire. Tammany,
succeeding him, entered upon an orgy Of looting
and iob-prabbing which has left the machinery Of
the government in a worse condition, beyond cues
ton. than it has been in for the last twenty
years.
All this the public viii expect Mr.. Whitman
and his Republican associates TO change. Some
reforms cannot be brought about by the Governor
and the Legislature; they will have to wait for
the Constitutional Convention. There again the
responsibility viii be on the Republicans who are
in the majority The Republicans in the Consti-
tutionaI Convention and Governor Whitman and
his Republican associates in the state administra
ton will fail if they do not strike hard and deep
There must be no comfortable administration"
of the old Republican type. There is a social
consciousness, which a new social conscience in
the acts of olficialdom must meet.
The people want a simple, straightforward
governmental machine carrying on the public
work without frs or unnecessary cost for poll
tican tax-eaters. They want the states money
spent for new schools. hospitals, IL
braries. new roads, rather than for high salaries
and automobiles for officials and graft for "in-
siders" They demand an election system which
will handicap the professional politician instead
Of the voters. They need laws passed and en-
forced to help and protect the workers. In
word they look for warm-hearted, clear-headed
progressive administration TO meet modern condi-
tons squarely without shifting or hedging for
personal or partisan advantage.
Mr.. Whitman and his fellows take up their
work with the confidence and good will Of the en-
tire state. Every right thinking person desires
their success in their hard task. They will sue
coed 10 just the degree TO which they are capable
Of realizing that the state government exists to
serve the people, not to exploit them for personal
or party gain and of living up to that realization.