The Penn's Grove record., 1883-10-06
Leon Abbett's Letter of Acceptance.

Is VIA. Robinson, I}dN&U :.
Crater. Edmund Garfield. Clifford Hon
ner. VIM. II, Gjlien, VIM. i. Casper,
JOHN D. Bartine, samuel T. smith,
I John 7. Dunn and TmgL Hoagland.
Members OF the Committee appointed
by the Democratic Gubernatoiial Con
! yeution, held al TIenten, September
/ 18th. 1855.
GENTLEaEN.-I am deeply sensible
OF tie honor Conferred upon me 10y the
( Democratic Convention in nominating
ne for the office OF G,'yenor Of the
I State OF New Jersey.
Iaccept the nomination, and shall
endeavor to secure a victory % decisive
/ thst it STALL embrace in its uiumphs
tie Legislature as we'll Us tie Execu-
tive.
endorse the Platform of the party,
and as Governor, l shall feel bound by
ii in the administration of State affairs.
l deem it proper to emphasize and
supplement some of its declarations Of
principle and action.
The tariff resolutions meet with my
hearty approval.
The manufacturers and workingmen
should remember that il was tie vote
of a Democratic United States senator
from this State that saved the indus
tries of New Jersey during the last ses-
sion of Congress.
The tariff y subject for national
and no5 for State legislation, and the
Governor has no power to act upon it;
but if my efforts can influence legisla-
ton on that subje: It, no mill, factory
or Workshop in the State of New Jer-
sey shall be closed, and no workman
thrown out of employment.
Referring TO the question of convict
labor, | Z am opposed to contracts which
give the profits of the labor of criminals
to contractors. All the profit that can
be derived from their labor shoIld be
paid directly into the treasury. Such
a policy would not only be just to the
State, but it would also protect the
manufacturer and mechanic from un-
fair competition. Give criminals en-
ployment. but not at the expense of
honest labor. l do not want in New
Jersey busy prisons, and empty work
shops.
L shall favor all measures which tend
to improve the conditi n of the work
ingman.
The agricultural interests Of the
State will, at all times, command my
earnest attention, and every measure
tending tothe encouragement and pro-
lection of this industry viii receive my
approval.
The fisheries, and all other interests
and industries iu u state, which pro-
vide food and employment for u cit
liens, should be fostered and eneour-
aged.
The prudent and &c nomical manage
meut of the affairs Of the state by the
present Democratic administration,
has relieved the people from the bur
den Of a direct state tax. l approve
Of this policy, aud such tax shalt never
be imposed with my consent.
Officials, when ~appoiAttd.by the Elk.
e%eutiye, I'VE their dpty 10 the whole
state, and thepayamouut consideration
in selecting men fur positions, should
be to SECURE an efficient public service.
l believe in local se'f-govemment.
and am opposed 10 he creation or con
tinuanee OF Leg slatiye Commissions.
favor the simplest and most eco
nomical form OF government, for city,
borough, town and township. WHERE
complicated and expensive forms OF
municipal government still exist, they
should be abolished, and there should
be substituted a silDple form, with leg.
islative limitations upon the power O
taxation, and the creation Of debt: 81
that neither extravaganza nor corrup
ton shall be able to impose heavy bur
dens upon the people.
My views upon the subject of tax
alton Of corporations were clearly ant
fully expressed in the proposed Amend
ment to the Constitution of the state
offered by me May nth, as q membe,
of the Constitutional Commission.
ca .dly urged the adoption OF thes,
appointments, which win befound full,
reported in the proceedings printed b,
the state in 1882. At that time | adj
vocated among others the following:
Il. That the real and personal estalI
~ofevely corporation, foreign and do
nestle, except that Of municipal cor
porations of this State, snail be taxet
the same as the real and personal es
tate Of ar individual, and all laws tina.
establish a different rule are hereby re
realed,
9. That no law shall be passed, o
contract made by or on behalf Of thI
stite, or any municipal corporations
by which the power of taxation shal
in any way ae Impaired or abrld 1ed."
am now, as then, in favor oe equa
taxation Tor all-corpolations and indi
yiduals.
l am opposed to n~lonopOlies of ever
Ii ID | believe in equal rights for all
and exclusive privileges for none.
have the noiOr to be, Gentlemen OF
tie Committee, your obedient servant
- LEON ABBETT.