Editorials Laud Lieut.-gov. Lehman As Candidate for Governorship of New York

Lieutenant-Governor Herbert H.Lehman is highly lauded as the probable nominee for the governorship of New York in editorials which appear in the “Jewish Exponent” of Philadelphia and “Opinion.”

The papers praise Colonel Lehman’s services toward Jewish causes and his exemplary record in office.

The “Jewish Exponent” of Philadelphia states:

“For Governor of New York Lieutenant-Governor Herbert H. Lehman! Unless all present indications go awry this should be the headline in the newspapers some day in the not distant future. Rarely has an individual so endeared himself to the hearts of his fellow-citizens as in his case. Holding a position of prime political importance, he discharged all the duties involved, and considerably more, without at any time resorting to those questionable tactics and policies usually referred to as politics. At no time since his election to office has he been daubed a politician. Somehow no one thinks of him in this light. Doubtless this attitude will continue even after he becomes Governor of the largest and most influential State in the Union. For Lieutenant-Governor Lehman is absolutely lacking in those characteristics that are of the essence of the present day politician.

“In its leading editorial last Saturday the New York Times said: ‘Mr. Lehman is a man who, without fuss or false pretenses of any kind, has for three years been applying his business ability to the affairs of this State…. It is safe to say that not one of the men talked of as a rival to Mr. Lehman has more than a small fraction of his comprehensive knowledge of the business and the needs of the State of New York. In his quiet and friendly and exceedingly practical way, without oratorical flourishes or the customary humbugging methods of politicians, Mr. Lehman has made himself known and valued as an unusually fine example of the business man in politics.’ Men of his type are rare; in the political world they are most unusual.

“At this writing it would seem that his nomination is assured. The squawks here and there doubtless will be drowned in the loud, overwhelming chorus of approval. Nor is it likely that the religious issue will be raised. Mr. Lehman’s rise politically, the high esteem in which he is held, has come solely as a result of his unique personality and because of the splendid account he has given of himself in the past three years in which he has held public office. A distinguished member of the American Jewish community with an extraordinary record of service extending over many years, he has not permitted his Jewish interests or his Jewish affiliations to be involved in his governmental duties. For Lehman is of the firm conviction that religion and politics should not be combined. When elected, Mr. Lehman will make an ideal Governor of New York State. The Jews of America are pleased to count him among their own.”

“Opinion” writes:

GOVERNOR LEHMAN’S NOMINATION

“Many of those who deplore as well as those who approve the nomination of Governor Roosevelt as the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party are united in their satisfaction that his selection opens the way for the nomination of Lieutenant Governor Herber H. Lehman as Governor of New York. For Governor Lehman has won the respect and the admiration not only of the citizens of the State for his record in an office in which, by the force of character and exceptional effort he lent unusual distinction, but he has achieved the even greater miracle of winning high praise from his political opponents, the Republican members of the New York State Legislature over which he presided.

“In view of these facts the New York State Democratic Party, hostile as it has so frequently been to candidates of independence and integrity within its ranks, will be compelled by public opinion to select Governor Lehman as its standard bearer. That there will be misgivings and fears in the breast of many a Tammany delegate to the New York State convention we have no doubt. The Wilsons, the Hugheses, the Roosevelts (Theodore should there be any confusion as to given names), have never been persona grata to the political bosses of either party. But they and their selection for high office have been among the compensations for the shortcomings of democracy and there are an increasing number of Americans of both parties who have determined that such public servants as do not bow the head nor bend the knee to intimidation, economic or political, shall not be proscribed against no matter what the excuse by the machines of either party. It is this determination which seems to assure the voters of the State of New York of having at least one candidate, associated with a major party, worthy of their suffrage in November.”