The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-03-14

THE Legislature has adjourned sine die,
and sigh of relief can be heard in every
section of state. 1t was the worst set of
lawmakers New Jersey has ever had, and
they triumphed in every undertaking.
The majority was elected for certain pur-
poses, and having achieved what was
desired, under the crack of gamblers
whip of command, they now retire to
their homes. This Legislature has con-
irmed the reputation given to the state
by recent Legislatures of being the low
est and most corrupt, politically, in the
Union. It well deserves the stigma fas-
tened upon it by the Democratic party.
The State has been oppressed and dis
honored many times in the past by its
lawmakers, having had long and I'M
happy experience with worthless and ig-
noble representative at its capitol; but
never before has such audacity in evil
doing been displayed. The contest be-
tween the friends and foes of good gov
eminent and morals was waged most
strenuously and conspicuously over the
race track 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 popu-
lar opinion which has been witnessed in
this part of the country for many years
a demonstration 80 strong and determin-
ed that final surrender by those against
whom it was directed seemed at one time
inevitable. But the persuasion of their
pockets, political ties and personal ambi-
tons was so strong and the moral sense
to which the appeal was made SO weak
that they held out to the last, and the re-
pealing bills died. True, in the closing
moments of the Legislature a bill was
rushed through both houses abolishing
racing during the three winter months,
but this was not prompted by any prick
in0s of conscience. It was more meas
ure to work out spite than anything else.
1t is proper and necessary to condemn
and despise the miserable creatures who
have now gone back to their constituents !;
but at the same time we must remind
these constituents that theirs was the orig
inal sin. Their representatives at Tren-
ton were beyond their control, but the
candidates who wanted their votes last
fall were at their mercy. These men who
have betrayed them were elected because
they were willing to take the risk of being
betrayed. Some ignorance, some amiable
unwillingness to believe the worst enter
ed into the result. and allowances must
be made for this fact. We do not charge
majority of citizens of New Jersey with
deliberately continuing their own shame
and oppression. But such an accusation
as that must be brought against them
hereafter If they tolerate the temperance
in public life Of any one fthese gamblers
tools. or trust again the party to which
they belong until it has purged itself of
this colossal offence. The voters of the
State can administer an adequate rebuke,
and 1t is almost impossible to doubt that
they will make this their chief public bus
mess until 1t Ia accomplished. And yet
the memory Of such evil days is often
brief, and the storm Of feeling which
they have aroused subsidies and no recon-
pense appears. But this will not be the
experience Of the coming weeks in New
Jersey If the people who have lately
shown laudable regard for their own
honor and welfare are as much in earnest
as they have seemed to be. Time will re-
veal the sentiments of the people of the
State.