New-York tribune., 1922-09-28
Miller Proved Leadership
By Real Accomplishments

In hundred ways throughout the
state service one can note the indica-
tions that the officers and agents of
the state are interested in doing well
the thing they were elected or ap-
pointed to do.
do not claim for Governor Miller
and the state officers in his ad-
ministration, nor tor tnc Republican
Senate and Assembly, which have
worked harmoniously with him, that
they originated ana alone espoused
all the different projects which /
have described. Many of these
projects have been worked over for
years and many former officer Of
the state is entitled to credit for
what he has done about them. What
| do claim is: that this administra-
tion has charged the spirit of the
state government-ha expelled the
spirit of favor and brought in the
spirit Of service; that with discrimi-
nation and decision of character the
power which always goes with a
sincere and unwavering devotion to
righteous purpose has brought all
hands concerned in the state govern
ment to work together for the defini-
tive accomplishment of these great
and useful things for the benefit of
the state. You can't have the mo-
mentum Of united action necessary
to achieve great results among a
lot Of people each Of whom is think
ing first of what he is going TO get
out OF the government. Among all
the good and honorable men con-
nected with the government of the
State of New York in ali it's depart
ments there was none who could
change that sad attitude of lying
down upon the government for
favors save under the leadership of
Miller gave that leaders hip, and was
followed by loyal men in the Legi,-
laturc and in the departments, and
the change has been made. The
question Is whether the people Of
the State of New York arc going to
support the change. The question ia
not whether they approve it. They
do approve it. The question is
whether they will support it.
One of the great weaknesses of
democratic government is that or
ganized mino-ities having some spe-
cial object to gain or some special
idea to promote and enforce reward
those who serve them and punish
those who oppose them; while the
great public, mildly approving the
public servant who has fought un-
selfshly for the public interest, as
sumes that everything will be all
right and gives him no protection. Is
that going to happen now? Are the
voters of New York willing that it
should happen? Governor Miller and
the loyal men in the Legislature and
the department who have stood with
him have made enemies by the re-
fusal Of favors, and their enemies
will in devious ways seek to injure
them-are seeking now to injure
they They are to be punished not
nominally, but really. for economy in
public office. Are voters of the state
going to permit that or are they
going to take the trouble to stand by
their faithful servants? What are
the women voters. now in the period
Of demonstrating their usefulness,
going to do about that? Are they
willing that we should go back to a
period of liberal distribution of gov
ernmcnt money, with popularity
much abounding and taxation in
creasing? Their action IL vastly i'm
portant for the future. You can't
have loyalty unless You are loyal.
If community is unwilling to stand
by the public servants who have
maintained the interests of the COM
munity against private interests, it
soon will find its indifference re-
flected in the action of its public off,
GERS.
Let no one suppose that this Is a
matter of mere dollars and cents.
1t is q matter of public morals. This