New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-10
Opportunity and Governor
Whitman.

A few months ago, when the people
Of this state elected Mr.. Whitman Gov
ernor, they recognized perfectly that he
was without executive experience. They
saw in him an honest, industrious and
successful prosecuting officer, in whose
past achievement there was promise OF
future usefulness on a larger scale.
As Governor Mr.. Whitman was frankly
an experiment. 1t was recognized on all
sides, from the outset, that he had fire.
quently given evidence of an instability
/ of political purpose, limited outlook
upon public affairs. an exaggerated per-
sonal ambition, which might conceivably
make it impossible for him to grasp the
great chance for himself and for his
party that his election would provide.
But in November, 1914, the voters Of
this state were not thinking Of the
future, but of the past. -Four years OF
Democratic failure in the state, the scan
dial of the Sulzer impeachment, the in
decency of Tammany control, the failure
Of Martin II. Glynn. honest but I'M
imaginative, TO withstand the pressure
of machine infuence-these were upper
most In the minds Of men of all parties
and Of no party. They were not striv-
ing TO vote Charles S. Whitman into
office, but to vote Charles F. Murphy out
of power.
That time has passed. That task was
completed. What the people of the state
are now asking is whether Mr.. Whitman
can measure up to the opportunity
which came to him a few months ago.
They are demanding to know whether
the present Governor Of the state is
leader or q follower, man or mans
man.
In the third month Of the legislative
session Albany activities have been
stricken with paralysis. From the capt.
tai there come the familiar but ever
nauseating rumors of jobs to be had,
places to be made for Republicans, or
abolished and re-estabished that Demo-
Gratis may be eliminated and the worthy,
the deserving Republicans" cared for.
So far as it is possible to see at this dis
lance. the change in the State Capitol
has been in labels. not methods; in names
and not in manners.
It is manifestly unfair to hold the
, Governor responsible for all this. No
blame can attach to him if it shall turn
/ out that he is not leader; that he is
one more in the long list Of accidents
whom incidental meritorious perform
ance in a minor office has pitchforked
: into a larger Office for which he was
Wholly unsuited. But such discovery,
without carrying discredit must bring
leath sentence to all further political
b ambition.
s At the moment Mr.. Whitman is plain
, touching the crisis of his PLbllc
, .areer. The situation at the capital
. alls for courage, intelligence, leader
hip. The people of the state, weary OF
lamor for jobs, manipulation of patron
pc, hesitations and dubitations, ask that
ne Legislature shall complete its neces-
airy tasks, dispose of the regular bust
Jess Of the state economically and inteiii-
gently, and go home. The Legislature
has so far disclosed no capacity for such
task. 1t has paltered and bungled. 1t
. is still paltering and bungling.
4, The opportunity now within Mr.. Whit
Y mans grasp is the opportunity no real
Header of men or parties permits to es-
ape. The rewards Of success at Albany
4 his wear may be almost incalculable.
4 But to the present moment Mr.. Whitman
Il has disclosed no capacity sufficient 10
supply the necessary leadership. In an
area of darkness he also seems to be
y hopelessly cropping.