50 Fourth Annual Report of the 



This is a big question and must, of necessity, be settled by big 

 men whose business it is to commercialize water power. Little 

 men cannot settle it at all, nor can a man big in other ways settle 

 it. The average man will read nothing which interferes with his 

 .prejudices. This hydro question must be settled by a man of 

 genius ; one who loves his work ; a man who can bring to his assist- 

 ance the support and confidence of the wealth necessary to consum- 

 mate the undertaking. They of little faith are impregnate with 

 doubt and fear, which is always a hindrance ; and he who assumes 

 to fulfill a contract for the government which requires vigor and 

 skill must expect the denunciation of those of little heart — and 

 they are legion. Self-reliance, courage, decision and brains are 

 the qualities necessary for a bold project. Men with these ele- 

 ments cannot work tied with the red tape preventives thought 

 necessary to protect the State in its public exploitations. To ap- 

 point one in the public service to a position of grave responsibility 

 is not difficult, nor is it regarded as a hardship to accept the ap- 

 pointment and collect the salary ; but to render services in keeping 

 with the responsibility of an important office and proportionate 

 to a good salary is not at all common. 



This is a business question pure and simple, and must, if settled 

 right, be settled by the rules of business. Think of having some- 

 thing to sell ; you won't sell it to a rich man and a poor man can't 

 buy it. The result is you must keep it — which is the case in this 

 affair. If the price of the water power of the State could be 

 brought within the reach of a poor man, every poor man in the 

 State would claim and want it. It is for this reason, and upon 

 this principle, that franchises are given to the highest, not the 

 lowest, bidder. 



When the State receives all a privilege is worth, everyone in 

 the State is more or less benefited ; whereas, if the same benefit is 

 conferred upon one for the smallest possible pittance, everyone 

 in the State is more or less wronged. 



I am unalterably opposed to the State contributing to the sup- 

 port of any man's business at the expense of the citizenship of 

 New York. The theory of State ownership is alien to our form 

 of government — there is no doubt about this. It is a method 

 wherein the State moneys of all the people are ventured in hopes 

 that about one-quarter of the people may profit. The State has 

 something to sell, certain water powers which are said to be of 

 great value, and in the disposing of these rights it must proceed 

 along the simple lines which business follows in all such matters ; 



