The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-01-03
Wants to be Senator.

The latest candidate for the office OF
United States Senator from New Jersey is
Benjamin s. Gratz, of Jobstown. This
sudden desire of Mr.. Gratz is the result OF
correspondence that did not receive the
favorable answer that he thought it
should. Some time since Mr.. Gratz wrote
to Senator Sewell on the subject of uni
versal peace proposition. The Senator
reply was as follows:
CAMDEN, N. j., December %. 1898
BENZ S. Gratz, Jobstown, N. j.
My Dear Sir: have yours of the goth inst,
but have not seen the article to which you re-
fer relative to the Cars peace proposition.
am not much given to Peace Resolutions,
any more than the Gar Is himself. In my
opinion, what he has done SO far Is TO cover
his tracks in the acquiring of territory in the
tar east: therefore, do not think 1t Is mat
ter We are interested in. l do not look very
kindly on our recent acquisitions but as to
universal peace, am not an advocate of it.
The sword has governed the world for good
many years and is likely to continue TO do so.
Yours truly,
WIN j sEwELL, U. S. S.
This did not suit Mr.. Gratz and after
considering the matter, he came to the
conclusion that the only way to get his
ideas carried out was to become Senator
himself. So he at once began to put his
prominent men, among them Vice Presi-
dent Hobart and Hon. Franklin Murphy.
While he desired these gentlemen to make
an active campaign for him, he wanted it
distinctly understood that he was an in
dependent candidate and did not want to
be elected by the use of money. He
therefore warned them not to incur any
expense on his account as he would not
pay any bills Mr.. Murphy sent the fol-
lowing reply:
NEWARK, N. j., December q, 1898.
Mr.. Benjamin S. Gratz, Jobstown. N. j.
Dear Sir:
am in receipt OF your favor
OF the 26th inst, in which you announce that
you have decided to become an independent
candidate for United States Senator to succeed
JAmes Smith, DR., and advising me not to in
cur any expense on your account as you will
never pay any bills.
am obliged to you tor this warning and
take advantage OF this writing to relieve you
of any anxiety you may have on that account.
FRANKLIN MURPHY.
In order that he may reach the ear of
all interested Mr. Gratz has issued a cir
cular letter which he is mailing broad
cast. Here it is:
To the Honorable, the Members Of the House
Of assembly and the Senate Of the State
Of NeaO Jersey.
GENTLEMEN :-Having been opposing boss
ism, the improper use OF money to gain polit-
ical preferment. having acted Independently
in politics IN the State campaigns OF lS97-lS95
and believing that the times require those
who desire to perpetuate Human Liberty, to
nounce myself an independent candidate
for the office of u. S. Senator to succeed Sem
ator James Smith, Jr.
Personally, am thirty-stx 1867 years of age,
constitutionally qualified for U. S. Senator.
My views concerning public affairs may be
briefly stated as follows
removes from office honest and worthy OF
ticials and fills their places with unworthy
men of the opposite party, l favor honest pol
itical reforms.
Inasmuch as the Government is the crea-
ture of the people, its affairs should be con-
Quoted upon economic business princip es.
Being laborer and taxpayer, 1 sympathiZe
with those who struggle tor just share OF the
profits OF their labor, and with the taxpayers
who are annoyed by oppressive taxation.
Concerning monetary standard of value,
favor single standard of gold. with the de-
of silver. The coin obligations of the govern
nent should be paid in silver dollars at the
ratio OF sixteen to one.
Our financial system should be revolution
lied. National Banks should be abolished
and the Bank of the United States of America
under direct governmental CONTROL should be
established.
The policy of granting pensions to people
who have not been disabled by military SER
vice, is vicious. 1t encourages extravaganza
and incidence. Sound ethics requires that
vice and Incidence shall be punished, while
H. dustry and economy are rewarded.
Liberal appropriations Tor erecting tortifica-
tions, coast defences and government build
inEs, where needed throughout the country
should be made by Congress.
nj hai IN ~ mil VTnFn rjoIi Srf.
am opposed to territorial expansion" The
unoccupied and undeveloped lands, within
the presents limits of the United States, are
an all sufficient heritage tor the people of the
United States. Why should 'Sons of Liberty"
be seized with the spirit OF conquest? Avaunt,
damnable spritei
Wishing that your honorable body may
give my candidacy just ana impartial consid-
eration L declare that, If elected u. Sena-
tor, shall, in my legislative capacity regard
it my duty and esteem it pleasure, ever to
be mindful OF the welfare OF the whole people.
L have the honor to sign myself, sincerely
yours, BENZ. s. GRATZ,
Dec. %, 1885, JoDstown, N. j &.