The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1894-10-31
Assemblyman Reading.
READ HIS RECORD.

The denomination of Assemblyman
Charles N. Reading was wise move by
the Republicans and good thing for the
people OF Hunterdon county, irrespective
Of politics. Mr.. Readings course IN the
Legislature last year attracted the atten-
ton of the whole State and his services
to his county were admirable. All who
knew him expected good service from
him, and they were not disappointed.
His past record gave bis friends assurance
that they could rely upon him. In French
town, where he lives and where every one
has known him from his boyhood up, he
has frequently been called to places of
honor and trust. In 1884 he was elected
a member OF the Common Council and
the approval of his course was shown by
his reelection the ensuing year. In 1886
he was elected Mayor of Frenchtown and
reelected in 1887. In 1891 he was Sc
lected TO represent his town in the Board
OF Chosen Freeholders and served accept
ably for two years. Last November he
was nominated for the Assembly against
j. l.. Chamberlin, of race-track fame, and
was elected by handsome majority.
That great moral paper, The Home
ViSitor, Of Pennington, made an attack
on him on the false charge that he was
hard drinker. II only requires a glance
at his record to show what his friends and
neighbors think of him. Every time they
have had an opportunity to express their
opinion at the polls he has been elected
by large majorities. 1t is scarcely worth
while TO deny the charge made by The
Home ViSitor. II there was any truth
10 it the people who know the Assembly
man would not have elected him so often.
Last year he was nominated to run in the
First District against Chamberlin, who
misrepresented the people of Hunterdon
the preceding session by voting in favor
of the race-track legislation. That was
not single bill it was series of bills
and required deliberate choice on the part
OF the Assemblymen TO pass them. The
whole moral element Of the State was up
10 arms against the proposed legislation.
All the evils that would result from race.
track gambling were clearly placed before
each Assembyman and Senator. All the
villajny that was enacted at Gloucester,
Gutienburg and Elizabeth was presented
by clergymen, lawyers and respectable
people of all sorts of religious belief and
political utilization. j. L. Chamberlin
had no opportunity to vote unwittngly.
He acted deliberately and voted for the
detestable measures. The Governor We
toed them and gave good reasons why the
bills should not become laws. II Mr.
Chambtrln had felt that he was mistaken
or had voted unadvisedly, he had second
opportunity to set himself right lie did
not do it. What his reasons were for
voting against the interests of his con
stituents, no one knows except the men
legislation. The newspapers gave alleged
reasons at the time. If the charges were
untrue, II is strange that no one ever at
tempted 10 deny or disprove them. The
reasons alleged were scandulous. They
involved wholesale bribery and corrup-
ton and brought disgrace upon the Legis-
lature and upon the fair name of the State.
j. l., Chamberlin has been re-nominated
for tue Assembly. 1t may be true that
the people have forgotten the record he
made 10 the Assembly and are willing to
let him try again. He was tried once and
fou d wanting The people of the First
District were the jury in Chamberlin's
case. lie appealed to them for vindica-
ton and they elected Charles N. Reading.
That tells the whole story.
On the floor of the House Mr. Readings
vote was given against race track gam
bling. The bill for which he voted is now
Chapter l of the laws of 1894 and Is en-.
titled, Gan Act to repeal an act entitled
An Act concerning the maintaining of race
courses in this State and to provide for
licensing and regulating the same,' pass
ed February twenty seventh, one thou
sand eight hundred and ninety. three.
There were other repeaers required 10
remove the vicious legislation which j.
In Chamberlin's vote helped to put on
the statute backs, and Charles N. Read
ing's vote Is recorded in favor Of each bill
that was required to remove the disgrace
from the State.
When the bill providing for free text
books in the public schools came up for
consideration last Winter it was opposed
by Mr.. Reading uut it provided that the
people could vote for or against it. Some
places wanted 1t and needed i; others did
not When II was so worded that il be-
came optional with the people to accept
or reject its provisions, then it obtained
Mr.. Readings vote.
WHeH TUG tOWHsulp sChooi oiii Coihe up
for consideration it was resolutely opposed
by Mr.. Reading He did not believe in
its principles and was unwilling to vote
for it because it was mandatory. He
would have opposed it even If it had con-
tanned provision by which the people
could accept or reject it, but he would
not consent to its passage in the shape in
which it was presented and he voted
against it. In this he was opposed by
Assemblyman W. q. Alpaugh, his Demo-
cratic colleague, who is recorded In favor
of the bill. Whatever the measure may
have bten in the sections that wanted il,
1t was bad bill for Hunterdon county
and should have had Mr.. Readings amend
ment incorporated in il, to leave it OPP
tional with the people whether it should
become operative or not.
II Mr.. Reading lie returned this year he