Morning journal and courier., 1892-09-27
JUDGE MORRIS
His Letter of Acceptance of His
Nomination.


His Letter of Acceptance of His
Nomination.
Judge Luzon B. Morris announces his
acceptance Of the democratic nomination
for governor in the following letter:
Messrs. A. E. Burr, D. NJ. Read, N. g.
Osborn:
Gentlemen-You inform of the action |
of the convention, nominating me again |
for the Office of governor. In considera- |
ton of the fact that the convention was
unanimous in making the nomination, l
cannot do otherwise than accept, whatever
my own wishes might be.
Since the election of two years ago, the
| events that have occurred have demon
strated the great necessity for a reform of
| the constitution of this state.
It has been shown that in the election
of state officers the people have very little
voice or control under the present consti-
tuition.
| Our highest court has held that decla-
ration by both branches of the general as
sembly is a necessary part of the election
process; consequently, if either branch of
the general assembly neglects or refuses to
make declaration of the election, there
is no election. and the old officials hold
over.
1t makes no difference by what majority
the people; it may be by 1000 majority,
or 10000 msjarity; if either branch of the
general assembly fails to make such decla-
ration the election process is not complete
and the newly elected officers
Office to which the people elected
them. If the question is raised whether
there is not some remedy through the
courts, the answer comes, after two years.
1 rin hat hat ha
applied until after the term of Office has
expired, is totally inadequate. The cleo
, ton laws of this state have become a sub
ject of ridicule and derision throughout
the United States, and it is impossible to
make people of other states see the justice
; of laws that will not declare those officers
elected who may have received plurality
, of more than 5000 of the votes cast, but
will declare those elected who lack more
t In order that the laws of a state
should have their full force and effect
= they should be respected as well as obeyed,
but laws that are unjust cannot be re-
= spected. They may be obeyed because
they are the law, but the whole mora
effect of the law is lost when the people
= see that in the practical operation it habit
ually works injustice. In forty of the
;. forty. four states in the union plurality
p | eleCCS SCdto OIuCcI5. LII every sbdto
mitted into the union during the presen
e century, plurality vote elects. In thil
state plurality vote elects presidential
d electors, members of congress, state sens
9 tors and representatives, sheriffs ant
judges of probate. No good reason
vt can be shown why state officers shoult
not be elected by plurality vote. II
no other way can the votes of tn
n, people be given their full effect. TIL
present law relative to appointing count
ID commissioners by the general assembly i
~ another instance where the people ar
W deprived of their power of electing thei
in usurped by q few managing politicians
who use the same for their own partisa
st purposes. The duties of county commif
te sioners in their respective counties i
many respects are similar to the duties c
u selectmen in their respective towns. Wb
y would advocate the appointment G
!" selectmen by the general assemt
as lys There would be as much reaso
e, in that as in the appointment of count
good of the state, the people in their r
a, spective counties should have the power
hs electing their commissioners, and tt
'rt power of appointment as 1t now exits
should be taken from a general assembl
ss The agricultural interests of the stat
1T considered with reference to the numb'
sit of people who obtain living thereby, ar
IL the capital invested therein, are of the fir
10 Importance. That these industries ha'
IL. not been prosperous of late years is full
ey proved by the depression in farm value
xt and the neglected appearance of mar
Of farms. In other pursuits, and especial
nd those of a corporate nature. the legislatu
has manifested an interest by passing la,
re- favorable to their development. and h
ID 2 appointed commissioners to study their i
;iy terests in connection with the pu
his commissioners, bank commissio
oIy ers, insurance commissioners al
he other commissioners, to look after the
M corporate interests. Why should we n
,rn have an agricultural commission, filed
he competent person, to look after the sgl
zen cultural interests and to suggest su
an an legislation as would be beneficial to t
farming interestsa We have already
en- dairy commission. This could be merg
Use in the agricultural commission and be a
~ ~ ministered to better advantage to t
1ty farmer than it is at present. No porti
: in of the people Of this state are more
H fhe dustrious or more economical than the
90 engaged in cultivating the farms, q
ley uone are more entitled to favorable leg
mo no lation.
md In conclusion let me say that never
our the history of the state, has there beer
In. Inc time when the people were called upon
rty come forward and exercise the pow
mt, which they have by their votes, as tn
ads J:t:: $500 .eA
nes pollticlaHs, lnsteau OF suggesting renee
for the troubles which exist, have or
succeeded in blocking all legislation. T
courts thus far have furnished no &C
quate remedy. The people, who are
ny source of power, can by their united vol
ew rectify the evils which exist, and ele
,ba such legislature as will give us laws bas
upon justice and righteousness, instead
ers upon partisanship and selfish greed; a
ng to the people submit the case.
cir LuzoN b. MORRIS.