POLITICAL.
JOHN S. WHALEN FOR GOVERNOR.
Probably the most talked of Democrat in connection with the nomination for Governor is Secretary of State John S. Whalen, of Rochester. His boom is certainly the most lively. Of all the men who are in the race the Rochesterian has come to be the best known, for he has appeared in nearly every large city and town in the State on all sorts of occasions. An Albany newspaper man who has been keeping tab on the number of speeches made by the various elective State officers is authority for the statement that Whalen has made more than double the number of speeches made by any of the other State officials, not even excepting Governor Hughes.
Whalen’s gubernatorial boom has not been in captivity since it was first released. It has been from one end of the State to the other. It had its beginning in New York more than a year ago, and it has been going ever since. It has increased, grown, and thrived, and to-day Whalen would be a good odds-on favorite in betting were not in such disfavor in the eyes of the Senate and Assembly.
GANZ ZEADOVIENDENE , Whalen is a somewhat unique figure in New York State politics, He and Lieutenant Governor Chanler were named on the Hearst ticket by the leader of the Independence League two years ago for the ofüces they now hold, and the Buffalo convention indorsed them. At Buffalo Charles F. Murphy, leader of Tammany Hall, at first refused to allow Whalen’s name to go on the regular State ticket. He sald he would oppose Whalen until he was furnished proof of the candidate's Democracy. Yards of proof were furnished by Democrats living in’ Rochester and in other cities. Whalen was at one time a resident of Eighth avenue, New York, and while there he mixed in with the Democrats. In fact, he has always been more or less active in polities. Though he never sought for or desired oflce, he was always ready to help Democratic candidates for ofüce in every way he could. The oflice he now holds is his first experience in a State job.
*] shall send a quarterly report to the Governor,'” said Whalen, and every three months Governor Hughes has been in receipt of Whalen’s department report. One of these reports the Governor saw fit to compliment in a letter to Whalen. Other business reforms were inaugurated and carried out. The oflice force knew there was a man at the head of the department who was there to render an accounting to the people and they were to understand that as paid employees of the State they were expected to do their full duty by the people. The conduct of the oflce has been highly praised by judges, lawyers, real estate men, legislators and men In all professions who have to transact business with the State Department. en
When he took oflice Whalen had seven appointments to make. The men he named were all Democrats, some of them identified with the trades unions, and their selection was well received.
“ Those who look up to the Secretary of State as the strongesst man for the Democrats to nominate for Governor have a good line of reasoning to back up thelr arguments when the gubernatorial situation is discussed. In the first place, Whalen has ability. He is big enough for Governor. He is a business man with twenty years’ experience. He knows human nature as a mother knows her child. He is broad and liberal in his views on public questions, and his two years’ experience at Albany has added materlally to his storehouse of knowledge on the conduct of the business of the State. , L .
In office Whalen has made a splendid record, even Republican newspapers conceding the fact that he is one of the best administrative officers
POLITICAL.
the State has had in several years. His honesty and his strict adherence to every duty are matters of common knowledge. Politically he has added to his long list of friends, and there is none of the State officers who is better liked than he. A prominent Tammany Hall leader, discussing the gubernatorial question the other day, said, in talking with a number of Democrats:
si. \dAIBiALUn will & DLULIDCGE VL DULDIULLGALD “J£ I could nominate the candidate for Governor, I would select Secretary Whalen. He is- by far the strongest man the Democrats have had in Albany since the days of Grover Cleveland and David B. Hill. He is „Brobably themost popular State ofücial any of the two great parties have had at the capitol in a decade I hear things said of him everywhere I go. Capitol employees, both Republican and Democratic, like Whalen, for he is Democratic In his ways, and once he meets you he remembers you. Blection to ofüce has not increased the size of Whalen’s head. He is worth 100,000 votes to the Presidential ticket at the very lowest estimate, afd in a Presidential year 100,000 votes are worth looking. at. Whalem Is the idol of the laboring classes, He has the good will of the commercial travelers, who up to the number of 830,000 are going up- and down the State’ every day singing his pralses and asking for votes for him for Governor, and here in New York City I know that more Tammany Hall men are for Whalen for Governor- than can be ‘found for any other man who has. been mentioned. If the Democratic State convention is wise it will nominate Whalen. If heis nominated, he will carry New York State by the largest majority given to a candidate since Governor Black ran in 1896. Whalen is the type of candidate the Democracy wants this- year. He has a clean record. He fills the requirements of the ofüce. He has nothing charged up against him politically. He is a splendid' campaigner, and since taking oflice he has practically stumped the State from Long Island to-Jamestown. Can you match him? If the Democracy wants a winning candidate for Governor, let it pick Whalen, He will surely win.”
u Ve ee ee Fe This opinion of a Tammany Hall man is shared’ in by many Democrats of hieh standing In varlous- parts of the State. That It is, is_evidenced by the fact that in many of the up-State counties- Democratic leaders have announced their Intention to secure Instructed Whalen delegates to the- Democratic State convention.
Secretary 'Whalen comes from an old time- Democratic family. His father, Richard Whalen, of‘ Rochester, now in his elghtieth year, has been- a Democrat all his life. The’sons have always: taken an active interest In Democratic politics.
‘The Secretary long ago made his mark as a public speaker and has kept up this reputation since he has been located in Al any. He is well’ read, of genial disposithion and his: experience- as a commercial traveler has resulted in the happy faculty of making and keeping friends.
Recently Mr. Whalen delivered a striking speech in Syracuse University on “Education, Our- Greatest National Asset.” It has attracted most- favorable attention. His “Capital and Labor”' speech in the Clinton Square Presbyterian Church, Albany, drew forth many words of praise from the- editorial writers. _
His record as Secretary of State will go far- toward inspiring public confidence in Mr. Whalen. It is one of the most important oflices in theentire category of the departments of the commonwealth. and it is undisputed that no man who ever filled the oflice has made a better record’ or conducted it more satisfactory than the present‘ incumbent., . . \
No wonder that in casting about for a candidate who can win Secretary Whalen looms: large on the political horizon, and as he is growing fast in the estimation of the public he will’ be one of the dominant factors In the State convention of his party.* * *