The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-11-02

emphasizes the potential power of corpo-
rate influences within the Republican
party. He, who has been recognized as
the foremost corporation lawyer in the
State: who in his public life has always
supported measures in the interest or cor
porations, and opposed those in the inter-
est of labor, who by his ingenuity and po-
litical influence has done more than any
other man in the State, to enable private
individuals, banded together under the
guise of water corporations or syndicates
to pre-empt and acquire the potable wa
ters of the State, compelling the people
to purchase this necessity of life, at so
much gallon, in order that the pockets
of these water barons might be hlied
with the profits accruing from what the
Creator intended, free gift of nature to
his people.
We challenge the Republican candi-
date for Governor to point to one act in
the interest of labor for which he voted
during the two years he served in the
House of Assembly or the six years
he represented his county in the
State Senate. His acts of COM
mission and omission in opposing leg
islation contemplated in the interest OIL
labor, are strewn over his entire record
while holding public office. II he will not
answer, the labor organizations IN the
State will. Did he vote as Senator for the
act introduced during the session of 1887
to reduce the hours of labor of employees
of surface and elevated railroads? Inc
record shows that he lodged vote on
this measure. AT the same session OF the
Legislature a bill was passed to protect
workingmen in the case of insolvency OF
their EMPLOYERS, and making their wages
a preferred claim.
When this bill came from the Assembly
where it was passed, to thefSenate, IL
was referred to the Committee on Labor
and Industries, of which Senator Griggs
was the chairman; mark the strange CO.
ncidence-Senator Griggs, Chairman of
the Committee, having control of labor
measures This bill slept the sleep that
knows no awakening, lulled by the siren
voice of the chairman, never having been
reported from this committee.
Again, in 1887, bill was introduced in
the Senate providing for Saturday half
holiday; this measure was in the IN
terest of the happiness comfort, and
health of all those compelled to toll. Inc
Griggs aided in killing this measure
However, finally, a Democratic Legisla-
ture passed, and Democratic Governor
signed such measure, but John W.
Griggs was not then member,of the Leg
islature. Then we find a fitting 'climax
to this record in the interest of labor, in
the efforts of John w. Griggs to defeat
the Labor Day BILL bill providing for
fha ftI11-nn
sixty-five of the year, to be known as
Labor Day. tribute to the dignity OF
labor. With all his ability, with an inde-
fatigable zeal, worthy of a better cause
he opposed and inveighed against this
measure. Notwithstanding his eHorts ana
vote against it's passage, it became law
and the wage earners of this great state
know the hand that smote them, IN tine
struggle made for the passage OF TINS
law, So on to the end OF his legislative
career. We renew our challenge to the
Republican candidate for Governor to
state where, IN solitary instance, he
espoused and voted for any truly labor
measure introduced in the Legislature
white he was either in the House or
Senate.
thrOuSnOuI y the leiSNlI anu piceleeiA ~
New Jersey his public services have re-
ceived such general co.znendation from
the entire people, irrespective of politics,
that it seems idle and superfiuous to
sound his praises here, at his home,
and amongst his neighbors, but we can
not avoid referring to the spontane1ty
of his nomination. He was the ultimate
choice of the entire Democracy of the
State. as the candidate of the party for
Governor In him, the Democracy feel,
they have an ideal candidate. He fills
the measure of the Jefferson standard of
a. public servant ''He is capable; he is
efficient; he is faithful to the constitu-
tion.'' In public and private life, his
character has been irreproachable. AS
member of Assembly from Hudson
County; as Prosecutor of the Pleas; as
presiding Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas; as Chancellor, he has dis
charged his Office fearlessly and
honestly, with a true appreciation
of the responsibilities of the po-
sition, and an ability to perform the
duties devolving upon him, shedding re-
newed luster upon the man, who, New
Jersey. is proud to claim as a favored
son. .-.,.-s.,,
Were his only public act, the crushing
of monopoly, in destroying the Goal
Trust" by which he dealt a deadly blow
to all Monopoly Combinations, 1T
would be sufficient to entitle him to
the confidence and respect of the entire
People of the State.