New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-20
NEW..IERSEY-WELL DOVE.

The Rrpublicans of New-Jersey have acted
in entire accord with the principles outlined in
The TRIBUNE on Tuesday, both in their plat
form and in their selection of candidate. IL
was then said IL the Convention can find
better add stronger candidate, he should by all
means be nominated but with Mr.. Hill succeSs
" would seem 20 be highly probable" AT that
time il was not known that Judge Jonathan
Dixon would consent to be u candidate. When
assurance TO that effect was had, the majority
of the convention judged him n still stronger
candidate than Mr. Hill. and he was nominated
after contest sDgularly free from I'll -ieeling
in which the high character and personal excel
lence OF both candidates were universally ac-
knowledged. IL was the aim with all to find
man who would worthily represent the integ-
Iity and the interests of the plain people ~
those who do not live by Ohice-seeking, and
who wish TO have the government OF the State
free from the dctatlOn OF corporations. In
Judge Dixon they certainly have found such
man, and one OF conspicuous ability. II will he
difficult for the Democrats to criticse the char
acter of one who was placed on the Supreme
bench by two Democratic Governors, and
whose eminent fitness for that high trust no
man of either party has ever yet do1bted. The
contrast between such candidate, and the
one whose public record the Democrats them
selves have ventilated without avail. il of the
sharpest and most cruel kind. In Hudson
County especially, where both candidates are
very well though very differently known, the
contrast must have great effect. But it will
have influence also throughout the State, wher-
ever personal worth is recognized and valued.
The Convention, as was to be expected, de-
The bold hut judicious speech OF Mr. Phelps,
wheo he wns appointed temporary chairman of
the Convention, struck the keynote, and the
resolution calling for equal taxation Of all
property, whether individual or corporate, was
received with unusually hearty and unanimous
applause. Indeed, part of the most strenuous
opposition to Judge Dixon came from repre-
sentatiyes of the Pennsylvania Railroad who
said that lie had been too severe in decisions
bearing upon interests Of that company. But
as Mr.. Phelps said, the Convention served
notice upon that and other railroads that they
ought to attend strictly to their business of
carrying passengers aud freight, leaving tho
people to attend 10 their business Of governing.
If this notice is reasonably regarded, the
wrong done when Mr.. Potts was defeated will
not he repeated.
The platform adopted is excellent--not too
long nor overloaded with detail 1t takes issue
squarely with the Democrats as to Civil Ser
vice Reform, and advocates, without evasion or
trickery, a tariff for the protection Of American
industry. But, had the Convention lacked n
platform, the fine speech of Mr.. Phelps would
have furnished one. He was especially happy
in the closing suggestion that inasnuch as the
Democrats held that any party, having been
long in power, must become corrupt, the con-
tinuous possession Of power in the State Gov
eminent for fifteen years by the Democrats
would on their own theory justify the cry,
STurn the rascals out" On the whole, the
Convention was one of unusual intelligence
and sobriety Of Judgment, OF marked indepen-
dence and OF patriotic feeling. II ought TO be