New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-18
NEW-.JERSEY REPUBLICANS.

State for fifteen years. III can put uo"h V''o
offensive and scandalous dictation OF powerful
railroad corporations, which, though not OF til9
State Mt all. have Mt times acted as if the people
of New-Jersey had no rights that great rail-
road was bound to respect. Ihe Democrats
have nominated for Governor candidate VINO
is bitterly opposed by many in his own party
His record, Democrats have publicly asserted
is exceedingly assailable. Yet he was nomi-
mated bv the influence of Senator Mcpherson,
the most conspicuous agent of the railroad IN
terest in the State. That fact. alone marks him
as one who is expected to serve that interest II
elected. There can be 10 doubt that majority
of the voters of the State would be glad to have
an opportunity to elect an upright and capable
man of the people against such candidate.
Three years ago the Republicans nominated n
worthy and popular candidate, who, though
connected with an important railroad OF the
State, was known to he Il man who would faith
fully defend all the rights and interests OF the
people. 1t became apparent during the cam
ns,pn that he possessed the confidence of the
people. But the election OF such man did not
suit the Pennsylvania Railroad. That corpora
ton had objects to attain which have since
been disclosed, and which such q Governor
could not be relied upon to favor. Every one
remembers'the shame less performance by which,
between Saturday night and Tuesday morning,
the will of the honest voters of the State was
defeated. This and subsequent acts in the
Legislature have caused very strong feeling.
II is not disposition to do injustice to any rail
road; even the one which has done most cfien
sive injustice to the people. But it is a deter
4: a IL a
a PENNSYLVANIA corporation in the Government
of New Jersey to elect men to Office who are
not only upright and worthy in other respects
but are entirely independent of an influence
which has been SO wrongly used.
The Republicans ought to nominate candl-
date for Governor who will be the servant OF
the people beyond peradventure, and not the
servant of corporations. Moreover, they ought
to nominate one whose past career and public
service have given the highest possible guar
antee that he personally understands heartily
sympathizes with, and earnestly aims to pro
mote the true interests of "the plain people"
Such n man whose position on National ques-
lions is well known, who is a stanch defender
of public faith, an honest currency and tarlf
for the protection of hume industry, can be
elected against Mr.. Albeit.
In an interview on Saturday, Mr.. Potts, who
was so unfairly defeated two years ago, posi-
lively declined to be a candidate this year, stat
ing that his business engagements rendered it
impossible This is to be regretted. Under
the peculiar circumstances Mr.. Potts would
have had "a strength which no other candidate
can command. OF the other candidates named,
it seems probable that the Hon. John Hill
would command the largest vote. Long pub
lie service has made him well known to the
people of the State, and his record is one which
may well challenge scrutiny. No political OPP
pOnent, no antagonist within his party, has
ever been able to point out blot in it. On the
other hand, his successful championship of
cheap postage, and his great earnestIess as an
ad voeate of protective duties, have made him
favorably known to the people Having risen
from the ranks of labor. he personally repre-
sents the very element which will decide the
election Many incidents illustrating his un-
bending and sctupul0us integrity will recon-
mend him to the people, and lie Is not only
independent OF all that influence which de-
feated Nr. Potts, but has had no part in the
controversies which have disturbed the Rcpub-
iican party in Southern and Central New
Jersey. If the Convention can find better
and stronger candidate, he should by all means
be nominated, but with Mr.. Hill success would
seem to be highly probable.
In any case, the Convention ought to take
great care that it does not act rashly. Friends
and opponents of any candidate she uld equally
insist that the nomination be not made by any
stampede IN favor of a candidate whose record
and character are not well known. The occa-
sion calls for sober, dispassonate and careful
consideration. A wise and judicious nomlna-
ton will make Mr.. Abbetts defeat almost
certain.