New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-12
NEU-JERSEI'S HORST.

The worst Legislature that ever diSgraced
Ncw-Jclscy adjourned yesterday In triumph
having accomplished the main purposes which
the majority were elected and commanded u
accomplish The State has been oppressed ana
dishOnorcd many times in the past by ITS law
makers. having had long and unhappy eX-
pericnce with worthless and ignoble represent
atiyes at it's Capitol: but never before. we
think, has such audacity in cvil-d ing been dis
paved The contest between the friends and
foes of good government and morals was Wagcd
most strcnuously and conspicuously over the
Iacotrack gambling bills. the passage OF which
was contracted for during the last campaign.
The contract has been kept in spite OF the
Governors veto and OF the most impressive
demonstration Of popular opinion which has
been witnessed in this part CT the country for
many ycars-a demonstration so strong and de-
tcrmined that final surrender by those against
whom it was directed seemed at one time incvl-
table. But the persuasion OF Their pccHe'''
proclivities. political ties and personal ambl-
tons was so strong, and the moral sense 10
which the appeal was made 50 weak that they
held cut to the last and the repeating bills died
True. in the closing moments of the Legs
lature a bill wa rushed through both houses
aboishing racing during the three winter
months. but this was not prompted by any
prickings of conscience.
II is proper and necessary to condemn ana
despiSe the miserable creatures who have now
gone back to their constituents but M thc
same time we must remind these constituents
that theirs was the original sin. Their repre-
scntatves at Trent n were beyond their con
troll but the candidates who wanted Their les
last fall were at their mercy These men who
have BETRAYED them were elected because the,
were willing to take the risk Of being be-
trayed. Some ignorance SINE amahle unwill-
ingness t. believe the worst entered into III"
result. and allowances must be made for this
fact. We do not charge majority OF citizens
of New-Jersc with deliberately contrlylng
their own shame and oppression. But such IN
accusation as that must be brought against
them hereafter if they tolerate the reapp"ar-
ancc in public life Of any one Of these gam
blels tools or trust again the party - which
they belong until it has purgcd itself "i this
colossal offence. The voters of the state can
administer an adequate rcbukc, and II is al
most impossible t. doubt that they will make
this their chief public business until il is az
cumplished. And yet the memory OF such evil
DAYS is often brief. and the storm of feeling
which they have aroused subsidies and no
rccompcnsc appears. But this will net be the
experience Of the coming weeks in New jersey
if the people who have lately shown laudablc
regard for their own homer and welfare are
as much in earnest " they have seemed - be.
We should rejoice 10 see the agitation re-
doubled. Governor WcrtS has been rcbuifcd
and aifront-d. We hope that he will find
courage to call an extra session Of the Lrel.-
laturc for the repeal Of the gambling laws.
But if the people NUT wait longer for chance
TO punish the guilty they are under an obiga-
ton not TO let their anger cool.