Franklin D. Roosevelt- "The Great Communicator" The Master Speech Files, 1898, 1910-1945

Series 1: Franklin D. Roosevelt's Political Ascension

File No. 403

1930 October 27

Bronx, NY -Campaign Speech Reaction vs. Liberal

.&ll!IIES8 or llOYPMOa ~ULIJI n. ll:lOS1Y!Lf

J.'f llllllrS 1'0111! PALAC!, .:Ita, !Ill !OI!l Clft

IO!D.ll lniiDIO, OC1'0IIlll -rt, 19)0

I ha.,. jl&rt Mturaed ~ a ~rip U'OUDil tile Suu dllrlnc which

I bn-a beeft 41..,...ainc h larp c1Ueo, 1D -u ciU.o, 1D 'Will.aceo,

lllld a~ ~~ croes ......te, prob~ of &0'1'1,_1\~ I lla'We _-.., apeakinc o!

~n\tJ. -~"1'11 ot a4&1n1atnt1on at. UbanJ', - I ha.Ye been 41#1Wdnc

the fOJ"''ard aarcb llh1cll tha pwe.,...nt. of tho sww hno been uldn&:· I

ba ... al8o ;>Oin~od out t.be obataclaa -~ nth durl.nc theae l ilt two 1'N'r8o

lllld 1ndaod ... _. a period of ~~ lilt e1pt. ;r ... n.

In 1117 &0'1'..--nt, 1D &117 nation, lllld a t. 1117 tlae fro. loll&

batoN the dqe ot anci111~ er..c. clowD to tile jli'C>sent there han hHa

uo &nliu lined I&J> t'tlcl.nc encb other, 1D constant cocbat. Oa t.be 001

oide 11 ~~ r.nq or raoction, of do notiUft&', or .-pec1al pr1-.11ep and on

the o~er the &riQ' or liberal tbought and .....,...es lYe action.

ID. rq owa poUUcel nperiiiDCa I co beca: to tha 11AJQ' ;yoora when

the t""e,...nt of ~e State of lew Ion •aa 1111<1er ~a control or ~. •no­

of r«ction, - tile dqa 1lben ,...ar attar ;reu no procroca1ft l.ec1o1At1on

waa pu~ on our otatute boolta and ~~ ac\u.1l -~ ot &dal.n1ater1nc

pe.,..n~ .-1014 vellaic and out ot data.

la:>r ll.l't.e:r p .. r tile ,.,,...,,..,, ot tile 15tat.e crew 111 aha dth

the powtb or popa.U.Uon bolt crew n'-bftt arq plan or 171\eao runcuon

..,, lidded to fi&DcUon, ~ to ~Nnev, and tho .. ~ r .... u .,., a aca-...

1.e....t UIICOOJ'IliMW ... or otaw cooan.et. •eb1MI'J which ••• t\lnot.lllni"'

1nert1ciont.Q- aM 1n '""'' e ... tor •rolp pouu .. l or pen!- ..........

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lie in Ule llt.ete of 1 .. l.tt han been YU7 tor1.1mate t.ba~ tor

tile pas~ ei&b~ 7..,.• illoo old ~ of the U'llf" of J"'Ut.lon baa been

...,.,eel, Por eill>~ ,.,.... Wider pro1r.,.o1n lenderob1p b7 illoo aecut.lYe

port.lCfta or illoo AllNIDT p e-' illoo U'llf" ot Ubftal t11oua11t bas been

111 control. !be credit t or ~a beloftia pri .. r1~ to tile aet.ln lal0dar­

ab1p or a 11&11 wbo na tba al)Olteuaa tor the libanl rorcea, tbe .., wbo

h'Oa the dap of tba Conat.l~nal Coa .. nUon of 19~ led the ~ore.• ot

reoout.ruct10R tbrougbollt t.be State - f OJW>r Gooreruor Alfred 1. 5111tb,

I Uke to •i-Uu tbis lone at,rue:cla aa a contest be-.o

two e:niee, 'llreX7 il>cb or the V""¥ we ban bll<l war!IU'tl - aoMU,... o; an,

-tiDe• bidden boat. all t.broucb tbno 7..,r a tba ara;r wbicb Gooro%'1101'

&d. tb 81111 I b•n led hu bo!en sniped at aDd abelW and obat.ructed b7

t.ba le&J.olat.l.,. ler.dara silo captaiiiiOd t.b.e oppoainc f orcea, I need Dot.

reoiDd ,.... llow bitt.erl,T all o! t.lle -aura• !or pe.--nt. reorcaniwa­

Uon, !or soo1e.l. le&1al&Uoa, tuu! ror new Maaurfl'l to C4ft !or na con­

.Ut.in:.o, b...., been opposed in tbe lei1•let.ln haU. at. .llbei!T, al1l1 bow

tile Republint.ll Leodera 1D MllJ :U<irwiallea ban aeea1nc!J' aDd on tbo our­

face proelei- t.b.at then wu no t.tt.le at. aU, loa~ b£n .......tl,T aDd

under ...,..,. ........,t to de!e .. t. t.ba Pft::>OMI.a at t.bo i>Olllo

I\ io a ~ fact 1a t.ba ll1ato"7 or oar St.tta t.ba~ tbe

a ra;r of Ut.ral t.bouibt baa been &l>lo t.o ain~aill t.ba otfaaaiYa, to caJ"X'7

t.ba t.t.t.le to t.bair -1e• wit.b aucoesa 7&'4' a1't.or 7&'4'• llbat. 1a t.ba

,..._!or t.b1d It. •- to • t.ba~ it 1a 'M•uoa tbe OYorollelaine

•3or1t,T ot Yot.en in tbia llt.et.e J'MOIIIi .. the !act. t.b•~ t.ba war 1D t.ba

c- of Ubero.l V.oucM ... t., 1! auoce .. M , be carried oa 117 aa U'llf"

tilhUac • ..,..u ..... bllt•lo onr • wUo front. ra\llar \bu lr7 • Hrioe

_,_

ot ftciauta each t~Uq 010 1ta - '-t wit.laout aa;r rel.a~1onala1p w

aU the ot.ber ...,ct-ta.

I do DOt """ to oat ,_ 11!11ch •l"'OJ ,_ be~ to. tou ha'ft

c1...., clear proot or 7<1f1r dedft w oonurme 111 \be :nalao or Ubenl

tllcN!Jjlt, clear proof thot ;rvu will conu- to oppooe aa;r - ·nee ar

•~tack b7 \be won out rorceo of roact1Gilo

n.t I ftl1t w keep lloforo 7ou 1a t.hia p1cturo ot • Uldta4 ......

llbat oro t.be :reei...,.ta •h1ch COIIpO:!e Uf l!:aah one aJ..oDc t.he 111leo ot

bat.tl.a t'lr'ont ia a reei_,t ot oconood.c thou&l>t 111 1t.solt, each one canoJ.ocl

o1tll tt. tile IP"Ut force aod •tron&tll ot eoc1a l "PI'l'O""l all<l tllo c~

t1oo ot intellipot publlc op1n1on. !&all one 1a anecl 11:111 roilltorcod 11'1tll

tho doultle d.tora1Mt1on to .ao.a.- on ita .,..,. t :roat aod a t \be - t.111a

to help t.be raeiaaata on o1tller aide to o4Y&DOO d tll it.

t.et •• call tba :roll o! theoo rep~tenta.

Hero 1• the rog1 nt or Uberal lec1alat1on, - statuto attar

stAtute l""W1d.1Dc oooro proteet.ion and aore ade, uste diYiaion ot t.be trllit.e

ot bu.a1Doaa and lnd.at..,. t or ~ laborinc MD, woMn, alri ch11.dre!l or the

State. httar ractor7 colldit1ona, - abort.or ~~Dura tor botll un and • ..,...,

cOtq>Nhensiwe ,..,rliMn' a COII'*""'t1on f or accldenta aDd 1114uat.r1al 1!1 .. , •••

at.ricter ent-t ot ;>rotoctiYO tua, caret'ul !octo..,. 1Mpeot1on. llo

7011 llolarli to tll~t rociantf U 1a a Uldt. 111 tba out ~ •h1ah .. ...,.

~abo • def1n1ta pia ot CI'QUDIS. Oppo...S to tll1a \lllit are \be

h1otoric rorcoa of blockade 1n ~. - !lWYor road7 to a11ep#~ •nJt.IUal

""• - alwa,.. wo or throe or a doiOD ,..., ... late 111 ftOOCJiiaiiiC \be puiiUo

d.-...1 f <W onl1&btaaoll od't' ......

len 1a Uno 1a t.be hl1•on\ IN.tt.UAI tor lldequa\o balfPU&l

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taouiu .. for ~ 11Dfor\uDaW. -· or ~ sw.w., - all or 1\a UD1\a

..c1a1 t.o ...s """"' &ad ror aU t.ba o<>ndJ.UODII <>l O'ffti'CNIIdinc tobat.

atrect. ~ c1q b7 c1q u1.- or titt,}'-tin tJoouaaad or cur C•llow

c1u-.

"-' 1a u... 1a t.he r.c1Mot. IOMIUDc • d-t. ~ri- ....s .,.,._

rectional poUq tar t.ba Skte. a .... t.oo are t.'I<>M £J'V'Oinc -ra wbo

~ tllat. tiM cr1M uc1 ~ probl- ...., be aobed 1! w will

..........,. .. t.bat. t.be p!l'iaonera o! tiM st.~t.a ..... lwMn be1QP ....s t.hat -

.,....-lalnc aajorit,}' o! th• will .,.. da7 COM back to .....,.. IIW!st aa

p&ri or .,.... owa "-DiU•• •

!1MB .,.,... tba t. a;>laudid reP-ent or - &ad • - who haTe

eo ~,._.tl7 won thft notable Y1ctol'7 1a beb.olt or old ap MO&IJ'it,}'

~ ftllt., - a reciMnt -.!Ueh IM7t oontent witb ~· •1ntoJ'T 1a -IW>c

to pin llddUional crouad·

lloor ....... to two CJ"Ut n p.ent.o J'eCl'Uit.ad ,..,. au Cl<f&J' the

Suw., np.enta COIIpOSed of MD &ad WOMft who ....., tlcbtinl to el'l<l ez­

caaaift eD<I CDJ'b1t.ant. J'lt\ae f or eleotricit7 1D the hor.ea, Cor t.at.­

pbonea, aD<I other ut1Ut1ee, - people eho are til!bt.iDc tor a areat Jlri<>­

ciple 1D bebalt t>C ~• pneration &ad all tutun poeratinne. AM witb

~ are the t.!louMD<Ia who ....., 1nt.are&Wid 1D &ad uadera\&nd tba driYe

.. ..... .-ld.ac tor the de .. l.opMDt or ..... •tar _ ................. "" •

atate •PDC"T•

1-n 1D the bat.t.le &:1'1"10,)' are the laandreda or thoi&•D<Ia or tboM

11bo u ... 1n t.lle 1'\11'&1 ~u .. acat.t.ared rroa - """ or the s"'"' t.o

the otllor. People..., .... llJid or t.ba roeent YiotoJ'T wb.J.oll ,.lief•• '"­

,..._ ~u•l alliS onrpiMferiiiC -t.1on1 - ;>le ,.. ap;lfttlut.a \be &re&t.

-s-

otridu U>a~ ban been -· in ~ Jttood7 o! tbelr agicult.uftl aDd r ura

probl ..... and wbo ..... ~ the - loadorllllip Mio~31De4.

s~ ont. to U.... abcN14er ~ lbO<Ltder •Uta \heir bre~ern

t'l'oa tile l'IU'&l -..tUn an t.boH a1U1ona rrooo ~ CGnJ05WCl are •

or our c1u .. b&~tllnc t or ..... Ucl>t and ..,... air 1D ~air Udna

~. pl'DUd or ~. Yic~l')' w!Ucb •• accoapUe!led wbeD ~be •1Up1e

dwellin3a l8W ne 111Md b)' ae and bo. tna to ....,.,..,uab 8\ill ., ... ill

~ .. 1r a\Nggle for <1- aa!li\81')' and ,._eonabla UYina con<I1Uona.

'then a l<iudre<l reci,..n~. - \be a1U1o."UI 'lllo opproye U<l nn~

an u\naion or \be Yaat Pl'Oil"''l or f&rlca for tbe bealtb aad ~Uon

or the c1UUDa or the S~te. tbe people """ 10 ~ Jonea BMcb and lleo.r

lloun~ &1111 tbo other fli'M\ plaJil'OW!da tbrouai>O<Lt tba State.

Wext 1n u ... cou tboae wllo wilt a oonUnuaUon of the splendid

071tea or educational aula~ace tbr.t hao been deYeloped in .HbaDJ durin&

the paet tow ,... ....

Then •• co.. ~ ~e repftllt or the appreciaUn u""n o! ~

,...t .,..- or """ ~ """ - bri<lcee t hat Ccn'al' tbo Stet• or ...

lorlt UQ a ~ ....nc.

r.Lnall7 tbe re~ o! tho•• llbo - • cont1nua.t1on or -

health -•IU'e•• tbe ex-.1.on or po.lbl1c health work u.'ldl!l' t.bo le&der­

lbip of the State and ateadill& not onlJ' to the C1Uu but. to ..,..,.

Nt'el c.-.at tTl the 'bW.~ up or the Shte-cMned Spa at llua~ga

!l'l'inaa ror tile heoootit or ...... c1u .... , tbe worit t or tbe orippl.ee• ror

tbe loUM, tOll tho deal• t or iDJ......S ~ ...

111e after at~ or theM Hciatnte • .,.. nold1q \be batUe

!1"011\ or Ube"l ~t and f"ll' .. .tn o.a..-t. r. 'f"/ ro1t.n'•

-6-

:W\ • repNt, baa dlll'iDs u.e .. put. e s.l>t. JeU11 bea Piii1DI P'OW'4

alolll,T bott. IIW"el,T ux1 t.1aa _._ could DDt. hare ben pou:lble Ulll ...

t.1aa wbo:W •1'111 Mde up or tbe .. l'e&i•nta b._d ....., eonU"""ual.7 t1&hU.'IC

all alrnl& tbe llMI DOt u indi'li<lwll lllll.t.a bu\ •• • ~t. ollole.

Tbe priDclp:Wa f or ohl.cb \he .. reci-te ban llna !s.i>t.iJic

art«t. ell the people or t.bia State. I\ MJ be t.bat. c.Maill ...,u.,... are ., ... int...-.aW 1o .... ot t.boM "riociplea t.ban ue otbera bott. 1o

the -- or l""'t'l'l'Saift po,..,..,t. in t.ba St.at.e, ,. wbo bne, can

DOt. aod ..at. DOt con.eUar .. trero onl,T 1>7 aecUoaa. Tbeae re~h are

batt.liJic 111 t.be i.'1t.cut. or a\at.a tunct1ona, not. l.ocel t\mct.iona.

O!lJ>Oted t.o t.bia rar-tlwl& ano' st.a:>d t.boH roreaa or 1.oert.1e,

or react.1oa1 o! CO!lHn'nt.i' .. e opposition to t.bo adopt.inn of All1t.bin« new,

under t.be lellderllhip or t.bose - cenU-11 wbo t.odeJ aod !or £enPre­

t.1oruo paSMd ...... 1o oonb'ol or the llepubllcan p&rt.J. r.at. u NPNt. t.bot.

I baYe eo orten Mid t.bat. U io the leaderab1~ aod not. t.bo rolllt aod i'i:W

or t.b!lt. P"rl1' wbicb .. O)lpO... It. io t.odq &II it baa bean ror - ,. .....

paut. 1n t.be St.ot.e ot Jew Iorlt a louc!.nohl p ot cter ... u .. or or co-~let.e

J01oappre!Minsion of cit.b~r the publlc wUl or the pui>Uc &ODd• It. 1a

baaed on eit.bar ~ or t.be tre:>d or t.be U. or aa unwilll!lcDaU

t.o sin credit t.o tbooe who bon oponeored oDd ~bored tor t.bone pro­

e;reaaiwe MAI'Uft'a.

!ou aad I ~ or t.bot. oppoait.1oa, - 7"" aDd I lcu>w bow 1ocb

'117 i ncb it bu beul beat.an btack alolll,T but poolUwalJ. Iou caa t.oU

... uxl I"''Pr'J ~1 batt.~, - t.laa biat.orJ ot one 1a the bia\<117

or aLl. Pick ~ out. a\ rondoa.

fai!At \be la&U:W .,rr ftW pw• tor 1M -· !'Yor eince

- 7 -

Ocwernor Sllit.b -t to AJl>aJ~J eaob 11114 WU7 ;rear be tried to pt. t.ba

Lepal.r.\..,... to stan a pl.aa !ar the d•elo-at o! tbe .. ter power

re-.reea o! the StAte '1>7 a atet.e qgq. Iaiii' ..rter 7-"Z tile llepiii>­

Ucu. leaden ref\uoe4 to do u . l""r e!'ter 7 .. 1' \be cl-~ \be

people or the State becue .,,.. inaiaW!l\o - ,_.,. en.r ,..... \be lle­

pubUCI&D leaden !.CJIQI'ed u . 1:1> 1929• wtoeo 1 tint bee.,. Cio'<ei"'IDD"

I ....,._ t.lle - 011 bebaU of \be people t.!>IOt. t.beir •ter _.,.

reaourcea be prea.,..,e4 11114 d•el.ope4 tar t.beil' beDe!U . AgaiD 1n 1929

t.!wt l.eedera or ol>atlw:Ucrl re!uod to do it.. 1'1nall7. 1n 19)0. tbq

:Jiolde4. The COC11ae1on 1a ""'" at. eork. And ao \be idea or public

d-l.o-t. or eater ponr 11 11UCbiJ>i on. It. aUU haa • lone_,

to 10 before it. can rueb. a auc:ce• aflll c<mclus1on. The next. Lelialat.ure

11114 Gooremor ..n f1rat appron BA1J ;>lol brvu9>t. 1n '1>7 tbe c_,mon.

lou 11114 I ~ that a Jtapul>U""" lepalature ao:l a llal"'bllcan Go.,.rDOI'

will .,...,. look kincil¥ upon a pl.aa of pul>Uc dftelo_.,t. Yor Je&l'8

t.be7 baYa been openlJ' c_,tt.ed to t.be t.beort or t.UJ'l\1o& our t.ba 11at.er

-•r reaourcea or tbe Stet. to print. corporaUona .....S... a leuae ! or

a 1""1 t.4lnl of 700r1. l e b.aYe onl7 to loolt a t. t.b.e l!epublle&A plat.! or.ae

or tile laat •1cht. ,. .... t.c - b.olr de! 1n1\el7 t.be7 bon ...... c.,..,t.t.ed

to d•elo!:Mnt. '1>7 ps"iYaw ca.panieo 11114 .., ... t.b.1o ,..,.. ....... at\er tile

a~t o! t.b.e -M101l tbe7 sUU reruae to c.,.. out. det'1o1tel7

tor d•elopuat '1>7 a at.aw •PflC7• brell t.b.eil' caii<IJ.dJ•tA•• wb.o baTe aa1d

pract.1call7 llOt.b.inc 011 t.b.io peat. wbJut at wat.er ponr Yb.ea t.be7 do

apooek ot it.a ciMnlo-t ue 1D<Iet 11l1w 11114 1Mhcere laiiCII'I&e• llot. a

oiftcle ...,. of tb.a 11 .. - out. t or pulll1o cl••lll~nt.. lot. a o1nc1o

one or t.llq 1a illt.ere ·\ad 111 cb""l*' alaot.r1c1'¥ tor our boMa, tM

_,_

14ea or pubUc d-lo.-at wiU ~ &et. 110 ..,....~ t ..- t.b-.

!be ~Ue poUq t.onrda tba P"Mt •'-' ~er or tbia

Stataa doea 110t. CDD~t.e t.be Stat.e &oiiiC il>to tba 'lluailleaa ot MU1DC

el.ectric1t,y t.o t.lot ~·• 110r doea it. Melt te depriYf' uq lepU•te

il>Yeat.or or bla 1•11 u-ta Z'et.uftiJ bu\ u doe a -It r1rat t.o recul&te

)>lll>Uc uUL1Uea ao tb" t. t.ba7 wiU uluo a lair retanl IIDil .-nd}J' t.o

~· a &nat ,.,~ ot clleap •at.ar - pn.r t.o - lo•er ntaa

poni.bla, - IUid U propo•• t.e -trol tbl.lt water pner cont.i.DuaU7 aod

perpetual}J' ae tbat t.1wrre aaa lie 110 _u .... tbat. tbat pl.all eao be

carried out.,

Take t.be bat.t.le lor \be eipt.-eur dq aod \be l ort.J-a1cbt.

llooar ~ rar - and children 1n 1ndu.et.J'7, teor oft.er Je• r \Ilia baa

"PP*'ftd ln our ?lAtr .... , - Jear attar J&Or" •• ~o ulud t.be Le&iala­

tunt t.o £lYe 1t. t.o ua, - J&U a!'Vr -rear, t.he7 MY& rw! uaed, PiM.l}J',

&<*led 1>7 t.be ro~ or )>lll>Uc op1:>.1oa and UMbie t.o resist. \be ci....S

M;f l.ollct!J' t.be7 appolnt.ed a co•ba1oa to look int.o \be aubJact aod \hue

dala7 1t. for ....,\bar 780J'o l!ld llben \bat. -r•u rolled liT and wwen a.'"\er

Yoluainowl hearlJia:s before \be c011111aaioZI, tba l!.epubllcao le&1elAUYe

leadcra sUU re!'UHcl, 'lbe7 tried to dec81n tbe people ot the State

1>7 pusiac a law t.o which \bq pn Ule tal .. Ut.le of a ! ort,y-eilbt

bour law but. wbit:ll •• real}J' a loJ'V-m-nd-U hour law~ lid

10 7011 - t.be &&nib !OI'ftrd or t.bat. piece or 8otllal lqialaUon waa

blocked and blnd.....S and foucllt. ww•r"T r oot. or tba "7•

Take tba bat.\l.e t.o prola1bl\ 1aJ1111CUOOII 111 o\J'1kota wUIIIIIIt

P"u.i.llon7 beori"'o Fer 7Mn t.be o--t.la Put.J ac~Wc•t.ed \bat.,

, .. ;r .. ra \he a ,>pOa1t.1otl t.~ra roflla .. t.<1 &1•e 1t. t.<l ua. lltronc•

-9 -

lllld 8Voncft' bee- the forM or po&bllc op.1B1on and !1nal.1J' this :rau

t.b.e7 retnated at. l.aat. and paalfld n .

'lake tile J.oac batt.l.e tar tile 'bond 1e- t.o prcwide decent.

aceOIIOdationJI tor the llll!oJ'tUDate warda ot \be St.ot.e. !be St.ote lul.d

loa& al.Dce co.-l.tted itaelt t.o tile pollq or teJda& oare or iu 1n.I&De

but t or - TO•ra it. bu Mgleot.ed t.o prwi de pb;faicAl tacJ.Ut.iea t.o

keep pace with u.o &l'Ut ioCH&H iu the..-.. or pati ... u . I1ll929

I ubd to.. ror a bood b...,. eo thAt. the St.ot.e would "" loapr be

- of tba oni'CI'OWII1IIc iu ito hoapit.ola. !be7 r~ t.o giYe 1t.

to • · I called a conference 1o the ,_,. or l929 and asked the lle­

po&bllua laadere -ther the7 would authori•e a 'bo1ld 1Aue it I called

• epec1al - ••iou. ApiA t.he7 nlllaed but. i nat.ead said thq would ap­

propriat.o li~teea llilllou Dollara out of current ,. .. _. to bu1l.d

'boapitela. Finall7 1A 19)0, attar I ha4 appiiO.led U.. aa4 8p1D to the

>-Ple or tbe St.ate b7 I'Mio, the legilllat.b a la;tdera :rJ.elded abd agreed

to aut.U t.b.e propoal to 7011 Yot.ero thio ral.l. But it. took W.. 78AI'&

t.o do it. It thq ha4 not. ~ t.he pnrt:r or obat.rucUoo, it tbq had

bHD wiUiAg to go aJ.oac rit.h • • we could ht<Ye oe.Yed that. !i&ht.oea

111ll1oa Dollars out or ciiJ'l'WDt. rn.....,a aa4 • • coW.d b&Ya uaecl it .,.ail7

t.h1o 7HZ aitlu!r t.o reduce - \1011 or to - ida 110ra public wor!UI !or

the -lo7M"t. ot cit.i-. or oor State who otberwiaa would be W~oDpl"784o

ADd oo tho batt.la l1Aa .,.. .. t'onant, - aaoh :rear a Ut.U..

turtber 'but ••oh :rear ao a clo .. l;r aorried couia\aftt 81'10'• llarGb1llc

aJ.oac rit.h it u U• cbier all;r hu "- po&bliA opW oll b.alpiAg it,

urg1Ag it toneJ'd, l.qlllc ~ the berrap lor u. each ;rear oa n.ctiou

Doy.

-10-

ADd arter aU \be a. .,_, ~ ill t.bia ollllp&ip 1a wbethor

that 8!IJ'Ch ! orwanl llloaU a~p -· !be aae IJ'H\ q>Mat.1coa ~ '- deoided

"" n.cuooa ~ 11 Wbethlr \be clridQC r - or public op1a100l rlU

desen the &l'IV or aooial PI'Oihaa ...S 11'-ral ~\ ...S aunebller ~

the\ &l'IV or llopul>lioaa ol>dNcU011 ...S bl.ockllde lllddl baa ·- ill Ua

"'17 ror aiJjlt :r-are.

The• .... \be gred •t\era that .... or 1ntena\ ~ the people

or tllio State. 'l'bq will el"''7a cont.tm. ~ '- ao. t!lq are ...s oaa '­

the ""~ tn1e iasuea ill \1111 ._tiD IODd ~bere 11 110 poaoibiU\7 or the

public o! tbia State be1aB con!\&sed oa tbet.

1'1th that 1n - . I DOW - ~ IP Iorlt C1Q", rlth rupaet

~ llldcb I Deed lllllke liD da!"GM a bll liAH!4 DO de!ebll .... or rq conduct u

the Clcwal"'IDJ' or t.llia snat State. I - 110 rep~ ~ t.boM 'O'!Io f or

olwiowl political purpo•• born rtc1oua~ IODd ulicioua~ a t.teoopted. to

ai....._MDt rq poaiU011 or ~ those 1111o aitloou.\ bowl.edce or or -Uce

ill p~..,_t, bwe eat th~Tea u,p aa outhoritiaa on all quotsUona,

lapl or otberdsa. !bq b ..... a peraon&l ...S ~ acc.,..,liob !r.... wllicb

oo a\ate.nt t'l:'oa a ooul4 <Unrt tbeo. Witb tb• it 1e t.ll<lt peraonal

- ...S DOt arq conaidaraUOil or t.be wall '-1DI of tba State lhicb con­

ti'Olao

I adclraaa rqaal! ~ tba ta1n1nded o:U.i- or tbb State wbo

.... liT bellOYo ill cl- P • ......,t awe77 dq 111 the :r-or re....,SlNa or

poliUoal conaidaraUooa, but wbo alao reaUae thAt --t ... , be

"-' !.au ord•I.J .. _,. 1a aooo- w1tb "lL-otabliobed .... 1'1_

prtM1plaa .otto pl111e tile per10111l .t ... or ub1U...,. or • ...,_.

ralndlldad :>MPla .... u .. tl\a' •re 11 a ... bftaaual dirt......,. be'-

-u-

tlw ~1U011 of a OoYemor or tllla Stat. ae&.Uc pll'lllallt t.o ll1a oa\h of

otfica IIIII! a eandida'- Mekiq \hot ottiee "" proooian aad JI"'phe&ie ..

~ can aU. proaiaea aad JI"'phoaiee but tl!e oe\h of ot!1oe -la

IA'll1 _, t it ~ ba OCIYeniOI' of tllla 8ta\e ~ per!cmo Ilia d1.1Uu aco~

t.o ll1a eoll8G1ence c.Dd \ha l&w.

lfit.l>old turther .,.1dlnee I "• not condnced \hu \he ...,.

aiU1011 people of 11ft l'OO'tt Cit, CWIIIOt. handle \heir """ effairal aad

ual..eao b7 audl .,.1d.,.,. I •• "" oo!!l'rinoed, I .Ul DOt 11'lt.erfere wi\h

their eft'.U.O, 11\hovt !nl!ficiiDt. wld8'\ce I "-• ratud ~ bell..,.

\hat all. ladpa 1A "" l'OO"tt C1t7 ano COITl.l:;>t. •it.IIOUt llltt1c1ant. «1-

d....., I b•• ret\aaed ~ hel.iet'e that. ell o!fioe l!.ol.df'ra ill lew l'ott Cit;y

are <UihoMat.. I bon retused a wbole18la i:IYeat.ilr.lUCII of II• 'lorl< Cit.,­

~ all .lt.t.orM~T Gnertl bees""" the requ .. t. -· tor U waa adllitt.edl7

heH4 on \he are st.et-ent. t.!ult., u 11M17 aaid, - •cbar'Ju or ornee

bu;:riq n4 llliseo:>dl!et bJ' J,.,..,.. aDd ot.har otr1ci&l.e, ••••••• are _.......,

...,pce t.C a!l4 i nou'-nt.• Tbat. t.,. of cb• l'lea baa ILl...,-e niat.ed ltDd h&o

b7"" MUJI ol-,ys been confiDed ~ law l'ott C1t.7, Wbez,eyer I h&Ye a.olr.ecl

tor IN;>POrt.iDc n1deooa I han bee intorMCI t.bat than wu cone or I

ha,.. bee <!~ ~cce•• ~ it.

lh"""'ar aad wll....,.er t.hera b&Ye bMn pnaant.ed t.a u facta

eh1c:b liOUld ....... nt. • in eet1nc ill .., o..SarQ- •rmer alii! eceo..sinc t.a

q oa\h or otrica, I baYe ectad p1'011ptl7 alii! • iF"""lT•

I ...... u- ...s dll *"''1Due t.a partan t.o t.ha tull ..,. <111t.7 ••

\he Oonntor of th& ~ire Stat.e or •• Torte. ·

The Anny of Reaction Vereut the Anny of Liberal Thou·ght and Progreuive Action

CAMPAIGN ADDRESS

Boaouc:m OF Bao:tx, Octobtr 27, 1930.

l }IU\'t just returned from a trip a round tl1e State durillll which 1 han been di~<'nning in lnrge ('it il'll, in email cilit'li, in \'illl'fl:E'I, ami at t he erOII'II road11.

~:~~•1•'J,~:~:r::io~•0~~r~~~~~~~)·.~l hl~~~e '::n ~\7~~~~fn:1u~~·}:~:.•:;~ta!,:::~te;~i:~ the gm·erun.ent. of the State hu llt"eu making. I h ll\'t a l110 !Kiinted Clu l the ohst.nrles met. with durit1g thellt' Jut two yean, a ud indeed O\'tr a period of the Jut ei[!ht yean.

In any goq~rnment, in an~· nation, a.nd at any time from long before the duy1 of an('ient Gr~ down to the present there ha,•e been two armin lined UJ• facing ta('h other, in wnstant combat. On the one 1ide i1 the army of n·al'tion, of do nothin~. of s~ial prh•ilege and on the other t11e army of l ilwral thOuJ!hl a nd progrHAh'e action.

In my own politiC"&! ~:xperience I go buk to the many yeara when tbe go,·ernnu•nt of tile State of :Sew \'ork "'as under the ('Ont rol of the a rmy of rtaC'tion,-the day11 when yur after year no l'rogrf:Ui \'t' l~iAiation lii'U

Jl)UN._"Cl on our l!ltatute books and tl•e adual methotla of administering gonrn· nwnl remained archaie and out of date.

\'l.'ar after year the J!:O''"rnment of the State gre•· in size with the J!rowt.h of JIO!JU1ation but grew without a ny Jllan or sysum. Function lll'&a added to functinn. bureau to buruu. and the net result waa a ~<:altered uncoordinated mall!l of state J!o,·ernment maehinery whi~b v.·as functioning ineftieiently and in mMl ('UCI for merely political or partiun re ... ons,

We in the State of Xrw York ha\'1' heen ' 'ery fortunate that for the past eight yea rs the old 811J•remacy of the a rmy of ruction baa bHn removed. For eight years, under progrl'flflh •e Jeadenhip by the exrcuti\·e port1ona of tbe

807

Albany government, the umy of nberal thought hae bHn In control. The credit !or thl1 belonga primarily to the active leaderahtp of a man who W&l

g:,~~~~=t~~=~ c!.~~ve~t~o~1':r'~~ ~~~~\bt:.~o~=~ o71;~~~:~u!~i~nd:£;o:~b!~~ the State-former Governor Alfred E. Smith.

I like to \'illuallze thla long t l ruggle • • a oonkat between two armieL . Every inch of the way we bne had warfare-.ometlmtl open, .ometimH hidden but all through these yeara the army wbleh Gonrnor ~mit.h and I have Jed hu been t niped a t a nd 11helled and obAt ructed by the lqit lative

. ~U~erl~ :i~0or~£eta~~~.u~: r~1';::~!rn~;:a-,eo~tt:~!t~:,!. ~:~~~.~01~~:. t ion, and for new meuurM to care for ne~· M nditlonl. h&\'t been oppoMd in the legialath·e ha lla at Albany, a nd how the Rt l'ublitan Leader. in manr akirmiahrs hne ~~Mmingly a nd on the &urface proclaimed that. there ""'aa no ba ttle at a ll, but han ~retly and under ro)·er 10uglit t.o defeAt the propoul8 at the poll&.

Jt ia a noteworthy fad in the history of our Slate that the a rmy of liber~l thought hAll been able to maintAin the offensh·e, t o carry the hattie t.o the1r enemies with IIU CCCIIe yn r after year . What i8 t he reason for tbi•t It. 11eema to me tlla l it i• becAuse the O\'er wl1elminj.! majority of \'Olen in tbia Sta le rl'eOgn i~.e t11e fo.l"t that the war in the cau~~;e of liberal thouJrllt mut~t,

if IIUC«tlJ!ful, be n rriM on hy an arm~· fis.:htin~ M. oonthJuoUII battle O\'er a .. ·ide front ra ther than by 'a ..erie11 of r t>giments each ftgllting on ita ov.·o

fr~n~ow!~~o~!,.:nfn ~e~~t;~~~Ci!~ =~~~b;.oO:ht!:to~~Jri~~n~ou bue gi,·en elear proof of your desire to cont inue in the unk• of fiheral thought, clear proof that you will continue to OJIJ~ any ad,·ance or attat'k by tbc wom out forCH of readion.

What I want t o keoep before you ill t hilli picture of a united a rmy. \Vbat are the reJrimenta which comJ)()IIe it! Each one along the milea of battle front is a regiment of ~nomic thouFht in itself. ncb one ca rrit·d with it the p eat force and 11trength of &OeiAI a ppro,·Al and the commendation of intelli~ent publ ic opinion. t~ach one is a rmed and reinforced with the double determ1na· t ion to ad,·anC"e on it1 own front and a t the u me time to help the regiments on either aide to ad\•anee with it.

Let me call the roll of these reg iments. Here is the regiment of l ihl'ra) lal)Or ll'gi&latlon.-shtute After datute

pro,·idin:: more JlrOlr'Cl ion and more Rdeqnate dh· i11ion of the fruita nf b1111ineaa And indu11try for the lnhnring men. womf'n, and t'hiltlrf'n of t he ~tate. Better factory eonditinn11.-t1horter hour" for OOlh men and wonll'll- romprehensh·e workmen'tll MIDJ"tenution for acc-idents and indu&tria l diaea~~e11, atricter enforee­ment or protecth·e Ia-.·•· careful fat'tory inii)J(>('t lon. Do you belong t.o tha t re)!iment! It it!- a unit in the nst army v.·h it'b e,·ery )'t'ar makes a definite p in of ground. Oppcwd to thi,. unit are t he hi11torle foreu of bl()Ckade in \.-\lbany.-nenr ready to 11ng,."Ht 11nythin;! new,--alway1 two or three or a dozen years late in r~nizinJ! the jJUhlic demand for enli,:thtenetl arh -..nc-r.

Xext in line i11 the reyiment hattlinJr for adequate h08pital facihtiea for the unfortunate warda of the State,-All of it1 units lliftklng to end once and for all the conditlon1 of onrcrowding that affect. the day by day exi1tence of

fif~;:;eint~~~:~:dth0: r~~~n::!~o;..~~~~~a.dectnt r ison and -ror rtetlonal policy for the St ate. Here too are thn11e g rowin)! nnmC..r• who uudC"ratand that t he crime and pri110n prohlem11 con he goh ·ed if we will rec()J.,"D ir.e t hat the pri•· onen of the St a te are humnn bein;::11 anrl tha t the 0\'erwhelming majority of them will Mme day eome hack to our mid11t u Jla rt of our own cmnmunit iea.

Then come1 t hat 11plendid rf';!i mt'nt of mf'n and 'A'Omen >A'IIO han 10 rPHntly .. ·on the notable \'ictory In behalf of old age t«urlty afloinllt 'A'ant.--a reJ!:iment which not rontent with this \'ictory Ia lf'ekln;! to gain additional ground.

Now we come to two great ngimenl8 fH'ruiWd f rom a ll o,·er the !)tate, r~lmenta com~ or men and wom~:n "A'ho art ft1htlng to end uc-eulve and nhorbltant rates for eltet rlcit7 in t he homt8, for ttlephon<':8, and ot.he:r

I· I I

808 PUBLIC PAPERS OP GOVERNOR Roos!:vEur

utilltlea,-people who are llgbt.ing for a grut principle In bthaU of thla

generatjon and all future generationL And with tbew are the thouaanda who

are Interested in a mi underatand the drin we are making for the develo~

ment of our water power re110urcea by a alate ageney. ·

Next In the bat.tle a rray a re the htmdrM.a of thouaanda of tboae .,·ho liva

In the ru ra l communities aeattered from one end of the State to the other .

People who are glad of the re«nt \'ictory which relien•a them from unequal

and O\'Crpowerin$ taxation,-JH.'Ople who appreciate the ltreat fllrides that

have l>Hn made m the study of their a~;ricultural and fnrm problema, &lid

wlto want the AAme leMdenhip maintained.

Standing m~xt to tht•m, flhou lder to al•oulder with their ln ethrl'll from the

rund communitiea are thme millioua from the rongt!ttcd a r1.-a1 of our ~itin

batUinJ!' for more li,:!'ht aud more air in their living quartcrt~, proud of the

\"ictory wl•ich waa RCCOmpliahed •·he11 tl1e multi11le d•·ellin~l law "''"" aigntd

~;r;":,~dn~l':~,!:fi:Oli~-~~~l~~liti':!!~. more in their atruggle for dettnt aani·

Then 11 kindred rl'j::irucut,-thc mil1iona whn appron' and want a n extenaion

of the \"lll!t l'rUJtram of parks for the health and rMrea.tion of the citizen•

of the Stall', the J~<:ople wl1o gu to Jmll'll Beach a nd Dear .Moonlain and Ute

other great playground& throu,:hout U1e ~tate.

N('xt in line c.-omc tho~<e who want a rontinuation of the &lllcndid 11ystem

of educational auiatauce tha t l1aa been de,·cloped in Albany during the put

few yean. Then we rome to tl•c re~iment of the a pprceial i ,·c UBCra of tl•c great ayatf"m

of new bigbwaya and ne-,~~• bTidges that CO\'er the State of :Se.- York like

a network. Finally, the r~iment of thoee •·l10 \ll"lllllt a rontinuation of tl•e health meaa·

urea. the extent~ ion of puhlic hl'altl• work nuder the leadcr1hi11 of the State

And extendinJ!' not. only to the Citi~ but to C\"er~· rural ("'IUIUUIIity; U•e

building UJ• of the Statc·ownNI Spn at Sarntc~n Springs for the bt-neut. of our

eitiuna; the work for the eripJ•k-... for the blind, for Lbe deaf, for injured

workmen. :\lile a fter mile of these regimenLI are boldin~ the battle front of liberal

thou.cht and pruoereMlli\'e J:i)\'erumeut. El"CI)' Tegin~nt., h:t me repHt.. hu

~~~~~;~tt~~~J,.~~tf~~/~:.:•n ~~fb~~~i~·~l!:o~~~: ~~~~~~ :~~;u:~ean:p t~~

these r i'J:-iments had been continuously lighting all along the line not. a!

indh·idual unih but aa a rompac::t whole.

The Jl r incipleti for wllid1 tbel'e r t'j:riml'nh ha,·e bee-n fil!htin~ affN-t a ll the

people of tl1i1 Statt'. Jt. mn.y be that ee.rtain ~eetiona are more intt'rest.erl in

some of these principle& than are other& but in the •d,·ance of pro;;rHai,·e

go,·ernmf"nt in the State, we •·ho ha,·e, ('an not and nm1t not c:ouaider welfare

only by sections. These regimenta are battling in the interHt of atate func­

tionll. not local functiona. OppoMf'd to thia far-HunJ!' anny atand thOM fortta of inertia. of reaction,

of oon~n·ath·" op)kJolition to the adoption of nnything new, under tbc leader·

l!ob ip of th011e same J!'l'llllenlt>ll •·ho today And for l!t'nerationa JKIIllt are in

rontrol of tl1e RetmbliC"Rn party. Let me repeal what 1 han '0 often u id

that it. i11 the leadcn•hip and not the rank and flle of that party " 'hieh we

oppoM. Il i1 today u it baa been for many )"t'an paat in the Stale of

~~--"~~~~ ~-lrr~::·~~~ ~~~~~i!e~~ ort~.b~l:.~1~:~k~!l:e~;,~:!:~c:f :;t~:~ trend of lh~ tinw or an unwl11ingnru to Jj:i\'C t'rfilit to thOH; \l.'ho hl\'e

&)lOil&orc.'il nnd lAhort'd for tht'tlt' pro:;:repi\·e meuurH.

Ynu aud J know of that Ol)JIOflitiun.-you and I know huw ind1 hy int'll it

haa IX'Cn bcntl'n lmrk nlowly but pot~iti\·ely. You nu take rn~h Aud e\·ery

re~imental IJa tUe,- tbe hiatory of on~ i~t th~ hil'ltllry of all. Pit'k them out

at random. Take lht> battle O\'er water power ror in•taneco. F.,·er aiure Go\'ernor ~mitb

went to Alb11ny each a nd enry hear he trit"d lo ~tel the Le$!isl1tnre to atart

SJ~:n.~~~t'~~le ~:~~1~1;~:11:e:~ ~h: R:~~~~~:;·e{e:Je~;·~~~~ ~~ed~tit.te ~ea~

.• ADDRE88Pll 809

after year the demand from the people of the StaU beeame more ln~l•t.ut.­

year after year tlae Republican leaden ignored it.. In U129, wbeo I Drat

became Governor J renewed the demand on behalf o£ the pt.'O)IIt that their

w11.tcr power resouretll be prtAer\'ed and dc,•eloped for their benefit. Again

in 1929 the ltadera of obt:truciion refused to do it. Finally, in 1930, theJ

~:!,~e:!; ~~~r ~n!:::•~!o~~:e~~:g •:n~·o~~·.titn~a': ~:.::e:.:r f:~c .:~;~oh ean reach a aucceAful conclu&ion. The next Legialature an~ Go,·ernor mull

nnt appro,·e any plan brought in by t he commi&t~ ion. You a nd 1 know that

a Republican legislature a_nd a Reyublican Governor will ue,·er look kindly

UJKID a plan of public df:\'tlopmeot. }o'or y ear1 they h&\'e been opoly

rommitted to the theory of turning O\'tr the •.ut.er J)OWtr fHOUl'Cfl of the

Stat e to prh·ate eoq)()ration~ under a lease for a long term of yeara. We

have only to look at t he Repulllican platforms of the last eight yeart to IM!Je

how defiuitely they ha,·e been committf'd to d~\·eiOJIIUent by printe com)J&nies

and e,·en thit ye.:ar, el·en llfter the &liJiOintment of the commiuion t11e7 l'tiU

refullf: to rome out definitely for den~lopme.nt by a State agener. Jo:vea t.1eir

l':nndida tes , who hue said practi•·ally nothing on this great aubjftt of water

JKIWer when they do apeak o f lh deveiOJnnent \l ie indefinite and inalncere

~~~f~a~~~gl~O:n: oa/'~':m0~! iO:te~:~edh~~~ :h:~~u!~::ri~i~~11fo:~:~ot~~:!: 'I he idea of public de,·elopment will certa inly get no sympathy from them.

noi'1:!n~:,~;~::eti~~~::{e ~;;~;d~~~~et::~::~~i7~:!!'oJ)().;;~in~1el~~~i~~~od~: ~·;;::~;: ''~~t d~d:;.•~ ~~~1'~~,-~~~~~a!:~;~~'b\~!e ui::;·i~~~r :,' t~~t ~~~0:~ n1a ke 1 fair rt>turn and secondly to pro,·ide a great ,-olume of cheap water·

made JKIWer to make lower ra le8 J)()S,iblt>.-and it propOiM!K. to control that

watu (KlWer continuMlly aud peqtetually &O that there cau he uo que1tion

that that plan can be H.rri~ ouL TMke the lMI.ttle for the l'ight-lwur day and the forty-eigl•t hour WHk for

womf'n and t'hildrera in induiltry. Year ofter ;year thi1 hu appeared in our

Jlll\tform.-year after year we hal't' a 11kf'd the l.f'f,!l8lature to gi\'e it to Ul,­

yt'ar after yt"a r they hnt> Rfu&N. Finally, go.1ded by the force of public:

OJ•inion ao1d unable to re.ist t11e demand any long•r they ap)Klinll'd a ~mmia·

11011 to look into th~ suhjet't a nd tlm!i delay it for anotlter yco:ar. · And when

thnl year rollt'd by and el·en ofter ,-oluminous ht>llrin~s hfofore t he commluion,

tht Ht>Jmhlil':nn leJ.!iSiative leader~~; still reftuwd. Th<>y tril'd to d~ci\·e the

prople of the St.att• hy )\IIAII;i ll;? a la'ft' ttl 'l\·hid1 tbl'y j,!ave the fal~:e title of a.

fnrty-ei,cht hour la'ft' but "·hirl1 wu n .. ll~· a forty-nint>·and·a-half-hour law.

Ami 1'0 ~·nu l'f'e the mart'h forward nf that piN"e of fiOCial legialation waa

IIIOC'k<'tl and hind<>rl'd r111d fon;!ht e\·ery foot of tl•e way.

'fnk<' the h11ttle tn pruhihit injunrtionll in l'ltrikt'M witl•out prrlimlnary

hrnrin~. f'nr yt>:trA tl1e 'IH1n01·ratic Part~· adn)("alrtl that •. Fol" y ean the

II( •JIO!Iition Jr:ult>r;o rrfu~ to ~:h·e it to Ufl. Stron;;er and atrnn~er \Kocame

the fort'e of puLiit' opinion and finally thi s year tl•ey retrt>at.ed at lar.t a nd

puAed it. Take the ion~ battle for the bond j~~;,.ue to pro,·idc det!ent u•t•ommollatlona

for the unfortumt.t~ ward1 of the State. The State l1ad long 1int'f:. committed

ltllf>lf to the policy of takin~ care of itl inMne but for many ,·eara It baa

m·~ltoct.ed to pro,·ide ph~·•ical fncililiH to keep pace with the gTeat Increase

in the number of Jlat.ienb;. In Ht29 I a11kf'd tht m for a bond ill8ue 10 that

¥;.el'_\~~~:3ut~l ~i':.e'~~~t':' !':. •~:~~~f'd o! ~~f:;:~~;o;;,d~~~ !:~!!e~':l'l~~ anti ai<kt'll tl1e Rt>puhlit'an ltadt!rs whether they " 'ould aulhorir.e a bond

ls~ue if I called a flj~ial sesJ~ion . A::,!Ai n they refu,.ed but instead u id t hey

wouhl 8J1prOJiriatl' ei~tlltet>n mill ion clollan out of current re,·enue& to build

hOfl)litala. Fina11~· in 1930. after I ha1l appN.Ied time and a;:ain to the

JM'Ople of the State by radio. the lf:JZifllalh·e leadera yielded and agreed to

JC UIJmiL the prOJKIIU.l to you ' 'Ott>rll. thili IIIII. But it took t,_•o yeara to do it.

!~o~';>~.:~t.r'.::;,t '1\~.,~~~~ J',~::.!Y.:!.~~~~~t~r~i~~~;t~n11::!t~,r:~' d':U:r~1!~~~~,toeJ,~

810 PUBLIC pAPERS Oli' GoVERNOR RoosEVELT

rent re\•enues and we ~uld have uMd it easU{ this year either to reduce

~~"~~teo~·!';: ~~~:!!e1~"':!uf:bt'!c u'::~~;~~;~~ e employment. of cltlzenl. of

And ao t.he battle line movea forward,-eaeb year a little further but

euh year aa a cl011ely aerried conaiBt.t.nt army. Marching along with it u ita chief all~· has OC-eu JlUblie opinion helping It, urging it. forward, laying

tlo-.·n the ~Mtrr11.ge for IL each year on Election Dar. Ami utter All the oue great ii!BUe in t hia camtJalgn is whether that. march

~;;·ai:tl .. ~J1,~t\:e~~~:e 1~f;';~·in!hfo~~e of~~~1:-:~~~1i1o~ ~~1 ~C:~:t t~! ~~:;~~~

aot•ial pn!J.:re"i and liberal thought and surrender to that army of Republi·

N il oL;;;t r uctlou and bloc.kade which has stood In its way for eight. ysn. These ore the greAt matter& that are of interest to the people of thia

State. Tlwy will alwaya continue to be eo. They are and can be t he only

!fa~: ~~~':'~J:lJ.t:!:nrC::J'a~~ tba~~ there ia no pos1lblllty of the public of

\\'ith that in mind, I now rome to Ne•· York City, w-ith retlpect to which I

need make no d efNllltl and need no ddendera of my conduct 1.1 the Gon~roor of tbi11 J!I'Ciil ~lute. I make no reply to thOMe who for ob\·lous politiral pur· Jtlll'el!- )ul\'e \'iciOlJIII~· and maliciou~~oly attelll)lled to mi11repreaenl my J)()Sition or to th••lle who without kuowled,t::e of or practice in J!O\'ernment, h&\'e N!l

themu h·t>a up all autl•oritiea on 1111 queJ;tion• , lel,!al or otherv.-ise. They ha\'1! a )Jeri!Oual eml to at•oomplir;h from which no t t.all!ment from me could divert

tl•em. With them it i1 that rl<!riiOIIIll end and not any con1ideration of the

Wt'll hcillJ: of the St11.te which oontrol11. I a•ldreAA JJJ)'I:Ielf to thl' fairmindNl citi1.ena of this SL•te who really belie\'t

in rlt>all j.lO\'ernment e\'f'ry day in the year r~MrdleM of political conaidera·

t ion11. lmt who al110 . rt:ali7.e that s:<wernnlent mu8l be run in an orderly

~11,':.n;:~~::~~~t:~:~,~:~~er :~~~~:;:!:~e~t~~:,i,~~~e:e.An;.~~ii:~~n~~t~~e11~!atrt!':::

tl1rre i~ a IIUht~t.autinl dill'eren('e hetwl!en the po11ition of a Qo,·ernor of this

~t.4te nctin:: pnr;.uallt to 1Ji8 OAth o f offit>e and a c&lldidat.e N!eking that office

un 1•romi~~o~• Mild proJ•he>~les. .-\nyone can make Jlromillfti and prol'lltiiH but tl1e oath of nlfil'C' ('(ln\)Wla An~· 11111n fit to be Go,·ernor of tbia State to per·

fol'm hio~ •I uti.-.. lll't'<~rtlin).! to his con~~eience ami the Ia•·· \\'ithnut furth.-r edtlencc I 11 m nut ~·m·ln('L"(l tllRl tiLe flt•,·en million

tM'OJile of :Sew Ynrk Cit,\' caunot han<llf' tl1cir own atTairil: ant\ uulet~il b~· !l.ll<"h r,· jdj•nc•r I Mm iiO t-tlll\'inrf'<.l, I will not int.erfer~ -.·ith tlJt ir affairA.

W ithout 11Uffi1•ient l'\'iolt•nN' 1 I111H rcfulle(l to helie,·e thAt all jud~f!'ll in New

Yurk City ue I'Hrrupt. \\'ithnnt 1111ffici~ut e\'l<len«: I h&\'e refu~ to belien thut all offij'l' hnl,h•r'- in Xt>w York City are di~honeat. I ba,·e r f'f nfl4!4l a

whvh·AAif' im ct~li~Hlinn of Xt'"' York Cit~· to '"' At.Uirney·Genenl l~t:eaul'e tl1e reqnr~~ot nut•le for it w1u< a•lmittecll~· hallf'll on the mere 111atemenl that. a,o tit('~' ~tid,-"C'lmrJ!t'• of offiru lmyiu:;: ami mitl4-omlu('l b,\' judJ!H a mi other offieiab, . • . are nmnerou~<, rcpe~tted 11.1111 inAiilitent." Tiutt type of

cllUrJ:!I"ff luua ~tlway~' exi~<ted lllnl hall hy uo ffii'MII'- a\-.·aylll ~~~ eontine<l to

Ne\\' York Cit~·· \\'hcnc\·er I h1l\'e a ,;.k(l(l fnr l<liPI.Ortins: f.' \' i<lenre I han

lll'eu infonne<l tl1at theJ't> wail uone or I Jun-e IM!t•n <lrnied ar<-e111 to it. \\'here,·~r and whene\·er there 1uwt' ba-n pr~nted to me faeh -.·hit'b would

warrant n1e in IIC'tin;: in an orderly manuer and affOrding to my oath of

offi('e, 1 ha\'t arted 11romptly and \ 'iJ!oroualy. • 1 coutlnue Mild will ('(llltinue to perform to the full m\' duty u the

Oo,·ernor of tl•e F.m11ire State of Ne-.· York.

~ ~ pqF"" of

Lou is llic 1+""3 Ji,we

.... GOVERNOR FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

HUNTS POINT PALACE

BRONX, NEI¥ YORK CI TY.

OCTOBER 27, 19.30.

Geo. A. Glendon , Jr. THE LAW REPORTERS

1&0 BROADWAY

HfW VOIIIt Ciff

T u . ltn-fO. 0711 • o• 11

Bronx, N.Y. -October 27, 1930

ADDRESS OF

GOVERNOR FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

HUNTS POINT PALACE

BRONX, NEll YORK CITY

OCTOBER 27, 1930

9:30 PM .

(The Governor came on the pletfonn amidst loud cheers, ringing of bells and the blowing of horns , with prolonged applause.)

A VOICE: "Three che~;: rs for t he next Governor. 11

(applause prolonged)

CHAIRMAN: ·· e ore on the air, so p lease keep

quiet .

A VOICE: "Three cheers for our next !'resident . " (applause prolonged)

CHAI !~~AN: Well now, if you will Oll'b your en­thusiasm, it won ' t be but a ve r y few minutes more before you will lcolve a chance to listen to the Governor. ~ * *

(Afte r the introduction by the Chairman of t he Governor, the a udience went wild in their chee rs and ap­pl ause for more than a minute) .

GOVERNOR FRANKLIN D. ROO;;;EVELT: llr. Cheirman:

l

my l' rionds: I a m awfully glad to come back to the Bronx, and it really touches my heart to have your Chairman tell me that there ie love and a ffection in t h e BroJU. tor e . I l1ave juat retumed, ae you k~ow , from a aome.rhat atren­uoua trip t hrougnout the eta te, a trip during which I huve diecuaaed in the large oit1ea , in the amall citiee , in the little villa f•,ea, and " t the oroaa roada, pt•ohls .. of' government . l heve been 8)l8aking or fundament l matter•

' ••••• ,,..,., •• ••q ... - ""' .......... (:Ill

Bronx, N. T. - Oo~ber 27, 1g3o

ot adminiatration at Albany, - and I haTe been disouas1ng the forward JUrOh whioh the GoTernaent ot the Ste te baa been -xing. And I haTe bean pointing out not onl:r the progreas aade, but I haTe been pointing out the obstaolea that haTe bean met With during theae paat UO years, end indeed oTer a lone period ot the laat e18bt :rera.

2.

Ton1gh t, I want to talk to :rou on the s ubJ eo t ot war a battle batween two great aralae: tor, in any goTernment, 1n an:r nation, at an:r Uae, troa long before the da;ra ot ancient Greeoe down to the preaent, there haTe bean two armies lined up taoing eaoh other in constant mortal oom~

bat. And on one side is the army ot rsaotion, ot doing nothing, ot apeoial priTilege; and on the otheri is the a ot l1 beral thought and progreas. (applause-pro onged)

Now I go back IIBlly, IIBllY years: In my poll t1oal experience, I go back to these -n:r years when the GoTern­ment ot the State of New York was dominated by the arm:r ot reaotion, -- the daya when, year attar year, went by and no progreesiTe legislation was placed on our statute hooks, and the actual methods ot administering the governaent remained archaic and out-of-date.

Year after year, in those days, the goTernment ot the State grew in size only, -- gr ew with the growth ot population, but grew without a n:r plan or ayatam what­s oever. F'uDo tion was added t o function; bureau to bureau and the net result was a soattered1 uncoordinated maaa (I was going to say meas) - (laughur) - ot goTernment machinery that was functioning inefficiently, and in mos t oases only tor political or partisan purposes .

Now, we i n t he State of New York, have been Tery fortunate thet during theae paet 8 years the old au.premacy ot t he arm:r of reaction has been oTerthrown. For eight year6, under the progressiTe leadership ot the executiTe powers in Albany, the Ar1117 of Liberal thought has been in control. The credit t or t hat, as we all know, a nd ss histor y will write , bel ongs primarily t o the actiTe leadership of a man who was the spokesman t or liberal for ces, -- t he man who was the apokeaman tor the liberal f or c es, -- the man who f r om the daya of the Constitu­tional ConTenti on, way back in 1g15, l ed the t oroea ot reconst r uct ion throughout the Stat e - - former Goyernor Alfred E. Smith. (appl ause-prolonged)

I like to Tiaue11ze t his l ong s t ruggl e as a oonteat bet ween two ermi ea , Every toot ot the way, we haTe bad warfare -- aomatiaea open, aoaatiaea hi dden, - but all through tbaaa yeara the army whioh GoTernor ~itb

I ·t I,.., f;•K••••• IIQ 11""'"~ .. ,., NfW Vw•• "'"

Bronx, N. Y, - October 27 , li30

and I haYe lead has been sniped at and shelled and ob­structed by ~· legislative leaders who captained ~e opposing toroaa. I don't haYe to r-.ind you people

3.

how bitterly all or the meaaurea tor Goyernmant reorganiza­tion, tor social legislation, tor the new measures to take care ot new oond1 tiona, have been opposed in the Legis­l etiYe Hlills in Albany, by the Republican leadership, and how the Republican leaders i n many skirmishes heye aeem­ingly and on the aurtace proclaimed that there was no battle at a ll, but haTe secretly and under coYer sought to deteat ~e proposale at the polls.

Now, it is a noteworthy tact that in the history ot our state, the armw or l i beral thought has been able to maintain the ottensive, to carry the battle t o their enemies with success year atter year .

Well, what is the reason tor it? It seems to me that it is because the overwhelming majority ot voters in ~is state, recognize the tact that the war in the cause ot liberal thought must, it successful, be carried on by an army fighting a continuous battle over a wide trent, rather than by a aeries ot r egiments, eaoh fighting on ita own trent wiU1out any relationship to ell the other regiments.

I do not hsYe to ask you whet army you belong to. You haYe given proot -- year atter year - - ot your desire to continue in the progrttasiYe ranks, -- clear proot that you will continue to oppose any adYance or attack by the worn out torces ot reaction.

Now, what I want to keep before you i s this picture or a united army. What are the regiments wh1oh compose it? Eaoh one along the miles ot battle trent 1a a regiment ot eomom1c thought 1n Uselt, each one carried with it the great torce and strength ot aooial approftl and the OCIIIIIIendation ot intelligent public opin­ion . (applause) Eaoh one ot thaee regimmta 1a armed and reinforced with the double determination to adYanoe on ita own trent, and at the same time to help the regi­ment• on either aide to advance with it.

Let me call the roll ot these regiaenta: Here,

on one plank ie the regiment ot liberal labor legia­l etion, -- atatuta attar statute proYiding mora protec­tion, more adequate diYision or the truita ot buainaaa and induatry tor the l aboring man women and children ot the State, Bat•er taotory conditions , - aborter houra t or bo th aen and waaen, oaapr ehana1Ye workaan' • oaapan­aat1on t or aoo1den•• and induatrial d1aeaaaa, atrioter

Bronx, N, Y. - October 27, 1g30

enforcement or proteetive lowe, oaretul rae,ory inepeo­

tion.

Do you belong to that r egnaent? Why, it

••

i s a unit in the vast a~ that every year makes a definite

gain or ground. Opposed to this unit are the historic

rorcea or blockade in Albany, -- n-.er r eady to suggeat

anything now, -- always two or three or a dozen yeare l a te

in recognizing the public demand tor enlightened advance.

Next in line, is the regiment that battles tor

adequate hospital f acilities tor the unfortunate wards or

t he state -- all of ita units seeking t o end once and

tor all the conditions or overcrowding that arreot the day

by day existence or fifty-five thousand of our !ellow­

ci,izena, -- 12, 000 more human beings than we have got

proper accomodatione tor.

And next in line is the regiment seeki ng to

have a decent prison and correctional policy tor the

St a te, Her e too are those growing numbers that

understand that cr ime and prison probl ems oan be solved

if we will recognize that the prisoner s or t he state are

human beings (applause)-- it we recognize that the over­

whelming majority or these prisoners will some day come

back t o our midst as a part and parcel to our own com­

munities.

Then comes that splendid regiment or men and

women who have recently won the notable victory in behalf

or old age seeurity against want {applause-prolonged) --

a regiment, my friends, that baa won its first great battle

but is not content with that victory, and is seeking to

gain additional ground. (applause)

And now we oaae, on t his bottle front, to

t wo great regiments, r eeruited !rom all over the state,

on the !erma and in the cities, -- r egiments composed or

men and women who are fighting to end the excessive and

exborbitant rates for eleetrioity 1n the homee, for

telephones, and tor othe r utilities, --people who are

f i ghting tor a great principle in behalf or this genera-

tion, and all the gonorationa to come. (applause-pro-

longed)

And with them too, are thoae million• who are

interested in, and underetand tho drive that we are mak­

ing tor the devolopman~ of our own water power reaouroea

by a ata te agenoy, (appl ause)

And next in line, oaae other hundreda or

thouaanda or our atsta, Who live in tho rural oammunitiea ,

J• I ~. ••••u ,.. ... .,, • l.Hf

Bronx, K. y, - October 27, 19:10

scattered from one end or the State to the other. People who are glad of the recent victorJ t hat relieves them from unequal and overpowering taxation, -- pe ople who appre­ci ate the great strides that have been made in the study ot their agr1cul tural and farm problema, and who want the same leaderahip continued. ( appl ause )

And , standing next to them, right alongside , shoulder to Shoulder a re t heir brethern from the great centers of popul ation; those of ua, - those millions from the congested areaa, battl ing tor mor e ligh t and more air in their 11 ving quarters, proud or the vic t ory that was accomplished when the multiple dwellings l aw was signed by me, and hoping to accomplish still more 1n their struggle tor decent, sanitary and reasonabl e living condi tiona. (applause)

And then another re g1ment: - the millions that approve or and want an extensi on or the vsat pro-

5

gram ot parks for the health and recreation ot the citizens of the state, - the peopl e who go to Jones Beach and Bear Mountain, and the other great pl aygrounds through-out the l ength and breadth or the s t a te.

Next in line come those who want a continuation ot the t splendid system ot educational assistance that has been developed in Albany i n the past few years. Think or it, in 10 years, a rise in expenditur e tor edu­cation from $10,000,000 to $100,000,0001-- (applause) Is it worth it' I think so. (applause )

And then , next in line, we come t o t he regi­ment or the appreciative uaera ot that splendid system of new hignwsya and new bridges that cover t he s ta te of New York like a net.

Fina lly, t he regiment or those who want a c ontinuation or the health measures , the extension ot public health work, under tbe leadership ot the State and extending to every corner or every city, md or every rural community1;the building up, tor example, or the State-owned Spa at Saratoga Springs tor the benefit ot our oitizena; (awlause ) the work tor the cripplea, tor the blind, t or the deaf, tor injured workmen. ( s i'J)lauae)

Bronx, N. y. - October 27 , 19~0

I could go on and tell you the names of a dozen more of these regiments that make up our battle­front.

Kile after mile or these regiments are hold­ing that battle front -- tha t battle front of liberal thou~t and prosressive government. Every regiment, l et me repeat , hs s during these past 8 years been gain­ing ground slowly, but surely, and the advance could not have been possible unless the whole army, made up of these regiments , bad been continuously fi~ting all along the line, not as individual units, but as a compact whole . (appl ause)

The principles, my friends, for which these regiments have been fi~ting affect all the people of all the state, -- rich and poor, country end city, men, women and children.

And, opposed to this far- flung crmy stand those forces of inertia, of reaction, of conservative opposition to the adoption of anything new, under the leadership or those same gentlemen who to-day, and for generations pas-sed, are in control of the Republican party. Let me repeat here what I have so often said, that it is the leadership and not the rank and file of that party which we oppose . It is today, as it has been fOr a generation past in the State of New York, a leadership of defeatism, a leadership of complete misapprehension or either the public will, or the public good . (applause)

6

or the credit all of

It is a leadership baaed eithsr on the i gnorance trend of the time, or en unwillingness to give to those who have sponsored and l abored tor

these progressive measures .

You and I know of that oppoai tion, -- you and I know how inch bJ inch, foot by foot , it has been beaten back slowly but positively. You can take each and every regimental unit that I hs ve been talking about -- the hiatory of one ia the history of aU. Pick th""' out at random.

Tak a the ba ttle ~ ver wa ter power for 1na t anoe• ~ ver a 1noe Governor e.. th went to l. l bany, e uch and e.,.ry

Bronx, If, y. - October 27, 1930.

year he tried to g e t the Legislature to atart a plan for the development or t he water power resources or the State by a state agenc y f or the benefit or the householders or the state . Year after year the Republican leaders re-fused to do it. Year after year, the demand from the peopl e of the State became more 1nsiatent -- year af ter year the ReP> blican l eaders ignored it.

In 1929, when 1 first became Governor, Ire­newed tha t demand on behalf of t he peopl e that their own water power resources be preserved and developed for their benefit. 1\gdn in 1929, the l eaders of obstr ucti on refused t o do it.

Finally, this year, they gave in. The com-miss i on that they author1 zed 1a now at work. And so the idea of public devel, pment or water power has started ita advanc e. Blt it has not yet won the victory. It still has a l ong way to go before it can reach the goal it seeks .

The next Legialature, and the next Governor JIIUS t first approve any plan that is brought in by the Commission. You and I know that a Republican Legislature and a Re.~~>blican Governor will never l ook kindly upon any plan of public devel opment. (applause-prolonged) His-tory. anscient and modern, Jrovea that .

For years, they have been openly committed to the theory o f turning over the v1ster power re sources of the state t o private corporations under a l ease for a long term of years.

7

We he ve only tx> look at the Republican pl atforms my friends for the past 8 , 10, or 12 years, to see h ow definitely the y have been committed to development by pri­vate companies; and even this year , - even after tho ap­pointment or tho COIID11iaaion they still refuse to come out definitel y tor development by a atsbt agency. Why, even their candidates , who tva ve enid practically kothing '>n thia great aubject or water power, when they do apeak or ita development, they uae indeflniLe ar>c! inaincero lan~aga. lot '>ne aingle one or them haa coma out in favor or public developaant or our water power . Not nne a1ngla one or them ia intaraatad in oh aper aleotrloiq I tor OUI' hOIIIU. by, the idea 0 r pubUo dt vel OJ ant will

Bronx, II. Y. - oc tober 27, 1930 e.

certain ly get no sympathy from them. (a wlauae)

Now, you people kn ow that the Democ ratic policy towards t he great water power or this state, does not con­templ ate the state go i ng into the business or selling e l ec tricity in our homes, nor doea it s eek to deprive any l egi timnte return; bu t it does seek f irst to regu-lat e public utility, or p>blic utilities, so thet they will make only a fair return, and secondly to provide a great ~lume or cheap water power to mske lower rates possible, -- snd it proposes t o control the t water power cont inually and per petually so lhat there can be n o question that that plan can be carried out. (appl auce)

Take another example t Take the battle ror the eigllt- hour day, and the 48 hour week for women am children in indl1 stry . Year after year this has appeared in our pl atform -- going way b ack to lhe day s when I was first in the Senate of the State -- 19 years ago-- this policy has appeared in our pl atform, y~ar after ye a r , we have asked the Legislature to g ive it to us, -- year after year they haoe refused.

Finally, goaded by the fOrce of' p>bl1c opinion, and unable to resist the any longer the den;and , the:, ap­

pointed a Commission to look into the subject, and thus delay it for another year. And llhen that year rolled by, and even after thousands of pages or hearings before t he commission, the Republican legislature still refused to do any thing. They tr1 ed to d eceive the people or the Sta te by passing a law, to which the y gave the pretty, but false title, Of B "forty-eight hour law" ; but a law that was in reality nothing more than a forty-nine- and- a-half h<l'~r law.

So you see that the "*rch forward of that piece of social l egislation waa blocked , hindered and fought in every way poaaibl e .

Take that great battle of l abor to prohibit in-Junctions in atrikea without preliminary hearingat Por yeara the iJeMO('r&tio !'arty advocated that. For ;ywara the Qppoa1tinn leade ra refused to have anything to Clo with it. 8 lron6er sn/1 atroneer became the toroe ot Plblio opinion tnd f'inally, at laat thla ;ywar they re trtated and puL 1t through.

I ·•• j ""' Ha, IIUIII llll ... " ••• h•• W •• &.nl

Bronx, !I. Y. - October 2'1 , 1930

Take finally thio question of the l ong battle for the bond 1a oue - - the bond iasue to provide decent accommodation a for our unfo ture te warda of the State: Why , tho state had long since committed itself -- 50 years ago -- to the policy of taking care of the insane , b.l t for many years it neglected to provide phyoical facili­tieo to keep pace with the great increase in the number of our patients .

I n 1929, I HSked the Republican leadership for a bon d i s sue en the t the State would no l onger be nsbamed of the overcrowding or its hospitals. ~·hey refused t o give it to <r.e. I ~alled a conference in the SUmmer of 1929 , and a aked the R~eJ'.'blican leaders Ylhet he r they would authorize a bond is3Ue if I call ed a special session. Again they ref'used. But instead, they said they would a wropria te $18,000,000 out or current tax revenues to build hospi tela.

flell, I had to tel<e it . It was the beat I could get. A.'l d finally, this year -- 1930 -- after I had a ppe a led ti<r.e and time a gai n to the people or the State to make themselves beard -- and the-; had made themselves heard -- then the legislative leaders ngreed to submit the proposal this f e ll. But it took two y ears to ge t b i • Ana if they h nd not been the party of ob­struction -- if the 'I hnd been willing to go el ong with

9.

me last year , -- well, we could ha ve saved that $18, 000 ,000 out or c urrent revenues, and we could ha ve use d it easily thio year, either to r educe rur taxes, or t o use it to pro­vide for public works for t he employment of the eit1zeno of our state who are now out of wor k. (applause-prolonged)

So my friends, the lJattle line is moving for­ward, -- each year a little further forward, -- but each year as a closel y serried oonoiatent army. Marhhing along with that l'rmy . as its chief ally has been p.~blic opinion h e lping it, urg ing it forward, laying down the barrage for it e very election day.

And • ftw 11ll, th one great iea>.e in this csmpa.l gn i s whe ther tha t ... rcn forwar d shall o to p o,. no t . The oroe gJ•eL t queetion t o he dec i ded I< .. oek fro m tOIIlOrl'OW io wh ether !ti e grea t drh ing fnrce or tha t public opinion will de .. r t the army or oooial prou ••• ~nd li t>eral though t

Bronx, w. y. - Oct ober 27, 1930. 10. -------------------------r--

( appl ause ) -- whether p>bl1c opinion will surrender to that army or Replblican obstruction, and blocka~e that has stood in ita way for 8 years . I knOIIf what the answer is going to be. ( eppl au ae )

These are t:h e great ... tters that are of intere s t to the peopl e of the stat e ot New York. They will always c ontinue to be the great matters. They are, and they only can be the true issues i n thi s camr&11J1, and there is no possibility of the !llblic o r this Sta te being c on-tused as to the t . (applause)

New York City issue

l'iith that in mind, I n ow come down to New York City from up-state (applause- prolonged) - to New York City with respect to which I need make no defense (applause- pro­longed) with respect to which I need no defense and need no defenders of my conduct no Governor of thi s State. (appl a use prolonged)

I make no reply to thoss Who for obvious politi­cal purposes huve Viciously ~ld maliciously e t tcmpted to misrepre sent my position or to thos e who without knowledge of or pr ac tice in government, have set t:heutselves up as author1 ties (ap plause) on all questions , legal or other-wise. (applause-prolonged)

Those people have a personal end to sccoHplish from which no stateiiB nt fran me could <11 vert them. (ap-plause) v,ith those pao ple, it is that pe rsonal end, and no t any c onai deration of the well being of their sta te which cont rols.

I address myself to t he fairminded citizens o f thio :Jtato , who really believe in clean government e very day of the year, in evary part of tha state, regardless of political conaidtrations1 (applause) but thooe fairminded citizena who a lao reel he the t government muat be r u n in an orderly manner , IAIHI ir. accordance with w<ll established Amerioon prinoiplea (appl•uae-prclongad ) (bella ringinu , whietllng and hurroha) - a government rt< n not to pleeae the pera?nal v1awa or ambit1ona llf anyone . Falrmindto •ople r alh.e that tl re ia a a•.tlJata·ttial dttrerenoa ba~uen the poaitlon Ill • Oovamor ot thia a~a te u~tlns *'' purau•••o• ot hia oath ot otfioa, •nd a o•ndi data aeek ln~~: l h• t oftioa

Bronx, fi. Y. - October 27, 1930

on promises. Anyone con make promisee and prophesies, but the oath or office compels any man fit to be Governor or this State to perform his duties according to his con­science and the law. (applause-prolonged; bells and horns blowing).

And so, without further evidence, I am not convinced t hat 7,000,000 peopl e or New York City cannot handle t h eir own affairs; (applause) and unless by such evidence, I am so convinced, I will not interfere in their affairs. (applause-prolonged - horns blowing nnd bells ringing)

11

'!1 thout au ffic ien t evidence, I II>. ve refused to believe that al l jud ges in New York City are corrupt . (applause) Without sufficient evidence I have ref'uaed t o believe that all office holders in r~ew York City are dis-honest . I have refused a moleaale investigation of New York City to an .l.ttorney- Oeneral because the request mode for it wa s admitted ly baaed on the mere statement that , as the ' said: - "charges ot· office buying and mise nduct by judges and other officials : ,.. * are numerous, repeated and insistent. ' n.tt t ype or charges has always eXisted and has by no means a l wa ya been confined to New York City. ( appl ause - prolonged) md whene ver I have asked for support­in~ evi dence, I have been informed that there was none, or I have been dented access to 1 t . (applause- prolonged)

V~erever, and whenever there have been presented to me facts which would warran t 1!10 in ac ting in an orderly anner and according to my oath of office, I have acted

promptly nnd vigorously. (applause)

I continue, and will 1n the days to come continue to perfonn to the full my duty as Governor of the Empire tate of fiew York. (a pplause-prolonged for more than a 1nute ).

II• .. I IIW Harooo•u• 110 •1110• ••r ..... 1'1l•l< Cur

THE LAW REPORTERS

120 BROADWAY

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