The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-12-02
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1902.

OFFICIAL returns show that on the Con |
gress tickets New Jersey went Republican
last election by nearly 10000 plurality.
That is doing pretty we'll for State
which used to be reckoned as safely in the |
Democratic column until John W. Griggs
broke the tradition seven years ago. But
1t is mistake to assume that New Jersey
may now be counted as surely Republican
for evermore, regardless of circumstances,
just as it was an error for the Democratic
leaders of decade ago to think that they
could plumber and disgrace the State and
yet fool the people into voting the Demo
cratic ticket. The truth is that there are
few States in the Union where the voters
are more Inclined to do their own think
ing and follow their own Judgment than
In New Jersey. They will not follow q
flag because of its color or the label it
bears. 1t must stand for something, and
the character and record of the standard
bearers are examined for a guarantee of
sincerity and high principle. Schemers
and grafters may pull wires and push to
the front without protest from the politi-
cal noise makers, but they cannot fool the
intelligent, self respecting voter who sits
down in the peaceful atmosphere of his
home to have, as Founder" Bradley
would say, caucus with his conscience.
This kind of voter reads the newspapers
regularly. He sees what is being done
and said, and as the making of the record
proceeds he forms his opinions and con
clusions, and these cannot be upset by
roman candles, fireworks or campaign
hurrahing.
II the Republican leaders of New Jersey
will keep those things in mind; if they
will apply with earnestness and intelli-
gence the lessons writ so large upon the
election returns of this and other years,
New Jersey may be retained indefinitely
in the Republican column. Mere words,
fine speeches and bombastic resolutions
will not do. The citizens of New Jersey
want something more. They insist, fol-
one thing, that men in public Office shall
consider the public's interest paramount
to all other considerations, and that fiji
and trustworthy agents shall be chosen
for the duties at hand, whatever they
may be.
That there are pitfalls ahead is nc
secret. So there were year ago wher
The Tribune pointed out the danger of al
lowing G. A. Francis TO become president
of the State Senate. That warning wal
unheeded, and the result of ignoring i
was such that if the State had suffered
the misfortune of losing Governor Muir
ply and Francis had succeeded him. as
the constitution provides, nothing coulC
have prevented the Democrats from
sweeping New Jersey. And so now
while the legislative plans for the incom
ing session are being discussed, it is time
ly and seasonable to give thought to thu
possible consequence-to take glanc,
ahead. Two years from now New Jersey
will take part in the Presidential election
it will elect Governor and will choose
legislature to name the successor of JohI
Kean in the United States Senate. tt
make easy and certain Republican triumph
all along the line in 1904 it is only nee
essary that the legislature of 1903 anC
1904 shall be governed and directed by
firm, unfaltering purpose to serve thu
interests of the whole people in the mos
conscientious manner. There must be nc
scandals, no deals. no buying or selling Of
legislators. 1t is during these two sessions
of the legislature that the platform will
be written on which the voters will pas
two years hence. Blunders may be pre-
vented now, but they cannot be mendeC
then. And one method of prevention il
to put the best and strongest men OIL
guard; that accomplished, the rest SHOULD
not be SO difficult-Neso York Tribune