Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-02
Roosevelt's Inaugural Address.

Roosevelt's Inaugural Address.
Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt entered
upon his second term as chief execu-
tive of New York yesterday. Far and
wide his reelection as Governor of the
Empire State has been interpreted as
making him formidable contender
for the Democratic nomination for Presi-
dent i'll 1882. His inaugural address
yesterday dealt not with National sub
jects. but with local. His theme was
the need of awakening the people of
New York to deal more effectively with
their municipal and county govern
ments. He turned his hack upon the
idea that the municipalities of New
York should look to Albany and the
Governor of the State to deal with their
problems. Fundamentally Gov. Roose-
velt'S statement is sound. Local self
government is the foundation stone Of
the American form of government. The
more local self-government is abar-
doned the greater the Capitalization
of power in State, and finally, in Ma
tional Government, the more unwieldy,
the less effective becomes government.
Gov. Roosevelt's insistence that the
cities and counties of New York
deal with their own problems and clean
up bad situations which have developed
is construed, however. as notice to the
people of New York City that they must
find a Moses Of their own to lead them
out of the wilderness of graft, corrup-
ton and worse which has been per-
mitted to grow up like rank weeds in
a fair garden. During the recent cam
paign Tammany was under fire by the
Republicans. Charges that judgeships
had been bought and paid for, that cor
ruption Of various kinds was rampant
in the greater city, were brought. Gov.
Roosevelt was scored, even by Demo-
cratic newspapers, because he did not
take more active part in demand
ing investigation and inquiry into these
charges. But he declined to be drawn
further into the matter. Despite his
attitude-or because of the rolled up
huge majority in the city Of New
York and in the end was elected with
upstate votes as well as those of the
city.
Doubtless Gov. Roosevelt's inaugural
address will be approved by Tammany,
the dominating political force in New
York City. Its leaders will interpret
the address as meaning that the Gov
ernor intends to keep hands off. The
fact that he has sounded clarion call
to the citizens to arise and deal with
the mess will fall lightly on their ears.
Tammany has met the embattled cit
izens too often IN the past to be par
ticularly disturbed. Tammany will be
quite content to be let alone with no in
reference from Albany, when it comes
to running the city of New York.
Gov. Roosevelt's speech may be con-
strued as an answer to his critics, those
who have denounced him for not using
his power as Governor to mix in the
New York City situation. Whether an
answer or not, it appears to be an
augury Of what may be expected in the
future. He has elected not to come to
grips with Tammany, the most powerful
Democratic organization in the State
Whether in the end this will be a
b-neft to him or liability remains TO
be seen. When It comes to selecting a
| Democratic candidate for President, the
hand Of Tammany may be an assistance.
When it comes to the general election,
however, Tammany connections are
likely to prove a handicap. Former
Gov. Alfred E. Smith, the nominee of
/ the Democratic party in 1923 for Presi-
Mt. during his term Of Office as Gov
ernor Of New York, was more at odds
with Tammany than has been Gov
Roosevelt. although Gov. Smith was a
product Of Tammany itself Yet the
Tammany label was attached to Gov.
Smith and was hurtful during the
| campaign.
New York City should clear itssH of
| corrupt government. Gov. Roosevelt is
entirely correct IN his thesis on local
! ef-gcvernment. But New York City
embraces more than one-haf of the
/ population Of the most populous State
in the Union. Under such conditions,
/ its problems become problems Of the
state itself. How far Gov Roosevelt
viii be abs to stick to his contention
that Albany must keep hands off the
/ metropolis time will show.