New-York tribune., 1901-10-14
IN FULL SWING IN NEW-.JERSEY
FRANKLIN MURPHY AND JAMES -M SEYMOUR TO MAKE
CIRCUIT OF THE STATE THIS WEEK.
WANT THE GOOD THINGS.
OBJECT OF DEMOCRATS N TRYING TO
GAIN CONTROL OF THE STATE.

GAIN CONTROL OF THE STATE.
New-Jerseys political campaign has been
formally opened. and from now on there will be
no let up until the votes are counted. Both Of
the candidates for Governor win start this week
on a tour OF the State but they will probably
do more handshaking Mat speechmaking. Jer-
seymen like to see the they vote for even
though he doesn't say much.
To be frank, there isn't a great deal TO talk
about, and neither Franklin Murphy nor James
NJ. Seymour is an adept al coming phrases on
nothing. Since the Republicans gained control
Of NeNv-Jerseys government, six years ago, the
business of the State has been conducted in
plain, straightforward, matter of fact way.
There have been no fireworks no thrills.
dramatic episodes. About all that can be done
IS TO show the balance sheet TO the voters and
ask them to inspect it, and say whether they
like the way that the money has been spent.
The methods Of raising the money have all been
passed upon heretofore Such being the condi-
lions, there are not many texts for Mr. Murphy
the Republican candidate.
Mr.. Seymour finds himself equally at a loss
for subjects. He can't very well contrast the
years OF Republican supremacy with the preced-
ing ones, because that would call up disagree
able recollections of the racetrack scandal. the
general debauchery which won for the State
House such unpleasant notoriety in the early
nineties. If Mr.. Seymour touched on these
dangerous topics he might do so for the pur-
pose Of proclaiming that the Democratic party
OF to-day has been purged and cleansed from
the elements responsible for the old scandals
but IL would require a great effort of faith on
the part Of his hearers to believe anything of
the kind when they look around among the
names OF those directing Mr. Seymour's
psign
Mr.. Seymour can, of course, sing all over again
the songs about Democracys love for the work
ingmen. but the workngmen OF New-Jersey are
not such fools as TO be caught with that kind
Of chaff. They remember how that love was
manifested when the Democratic party controlled
the government Of the nation and Of New-Jersey
work scarce, wages low, taxes high and the
rights OF individual citizens invaded. They
know. too. as we'll as anybody can tell them, that
the State cannot do better by them than to
leave them alone, Unfettered and unrestricted
in the right TO work and 10 organize for mutual
self help. There is no State tax, and the State
cannot do more than aid the municipalities in
the matter Of school taxation, and this is being
done in the most practical manner under a Re
publican administration.
So far as concerns State legislation regulating
trusts, the voters understand perfectly well that
there would be no change under a Democratic
administration. except that some of the trusts
might be bled for campaign purposes. The Sub
way Commission designed by Albeit, Smith and
Miles Ross has not been forgotten The real
Democratic boss Of New-Jersey to-day is z. F.
c. Yourg. Mr. Young is on pretty friendly terms
with the Sugar Trust. the Trolley Trust and
most Of the other trusts having legal habita-
tion in New-Jersey. To expect him 10 counte-
nance legislation hostile TO one or the other Of
these merely TO benefit the public is 10 do vio-
lenee TO the possibilities.
Standing proudly beside Mr.. Young is Robert
Davis better known as Bob" the quiet little
bsldheaded man who is more absolutely the po-
ltical ruler OF Hudson County than Richard
Croker is of New-York. It would be glorious
day for Davis If Seymour were elected because
then the distinguished politician OF Hudson
would again have chance at the good things
in the State House. Fancy Michael ]. Coyle as
State Superintendent OF Schools and Tom"
Noonan on the Supreme Court bench.
Talking about the Supreme Court bench re-
calls the story now floating around TO the effect
that Mr.. Seymour has promised the two places
10 be vacant during the next Governors term TO
two hundred persons. This is doubtless yarn
without foundation. Mr.. Seymour declares that
he hasn't made any pledges He may not be
able TO see any reason why he should be bound
by promises which others have made for him,
that there were such promises Mr.. Seymour
might ascertain by asking Of his man
ayers.
That cartoon in The Tribune a few weeks ago
representing Colonel L. L. Price and William B.
Gourley chasing the Attorney Generalship
caused many a chuckle among the politicians
IT, however. Mr.. Seymour ever should have
that Office at his disposal il is regarded as Ger
tain that Colonel Price would have the first call
on it; he has been the Mayors steadfast friend
and adviser through all his contests.
II is, Of course, a little early yet to get down
20 exact figures. but reports from the various
counties indicate that Mr.. Murphy will do con-
siderably better than Mr.. Voorhees, did thRee
years ago in every county OF the State. with the
possible exception OF Atlantic where the Re
publican majority may be reduced. Atlantic
gave VOORHEES, l.277 plurality and it is not
likely to fall below 1000 this time. In the
State VOORHEES, had 5499 II nothing occurs to
change the present outlook Murphy will have
handsome margin over that. The great danger
TO the Republicans lies however. in taking the
present optimistic outlook as a reason for not
doing much. There viii have TO be persistent
effort 10 prevent iproads by the Democrats who
have closed UP their ranks and are beginning
10 make an aggressive fight all along the line.
Now. for myself personally, 1 may not repre-
sert all that you might like in your candidate
end IL is possible that may represent the
best there is in the Republican party. The
candidate Of the Democrats may be better than
his party, but you know and I know that the
candidate is controlled by his party, and that
the personality OF the candidate is rot the