The Jersey City news., 1906-03-12

hthings get thoroughly bad they will right
themselves, implying that, IN public r.
fairs, there is point in the decline at
which the people will revolt, and inspired
by the spirit Of honor and pride, viii rally
ct the call of duty and check the down
ward course. We believe that New Jer-
sey has reached that point.
| Dishonored in our party councils, be-
trayed in our legislative sanctuary.
chained to the wheels of unbridled mo-
| nopcly, butt for the jokes Of one-half
| of the world, and eommiserated by the
other half, the citizens of New Jersey
have come to the time when they must
assert their manhood and their pa
triotism.
Realizing the truths set out in the
foregoing and impened by the desire to
aid in the work OF rescuing the State
from the danger in which it is engulfed,
and to restore the people their rights
which have been bartered away, the
undersigned appeal to you for co-opera-
tion. We do not underestimate the
powers arrayed against the people, but
we believe that there is sufficient of the
spirit Of true democracy still left in
New Jersey, if properly organized, to
overthrow the forces of selfshness and
corruption and to place our common
wealth once more in the front rank of
American States.
We have not come hastily to our com
clusions In conferences we have care
fully and exhaustively considered the
situation. and have earnestly discussed
remedies that might be brought forward.
The result of these conferences has been
unanimous decision to call upon the
honest and progressive citizens of New
Jersey to organize for the practical du-
ties of citizenship.
We, therefore, ask you to join with us
in organizing for true democracy in New
Jersey.
Tentatively, subject to the will of a
more comprehensive conference, when
properly organized. we would suggest the
following as the immediate demands of
the true and progressive democracy OF
New Jersey
We deprecate the present contempt for
and defiance of the laws of the land now
exhibited by those in high station and we
demand the enforcement of the law ass
the first duty Of government.
We demand municipal ownership and
operation of all local public utilities and
government ownership and operation Of
all railroads, express, telegraph and tel
ephonic monopolies. Until this is accom-
splished, we demand that franchises be
granted for short terms only.
operation create special privileges of fab
ulous value, but the system has shown
itself to be the most prolific breeder of
graft and all sorts of prolific corruption
and political debauchery.
We condemn the unequal and unjust
system of taxation at present maintained
in this State, and demand the just and
equal taxation Of railroads and other
property.
The favoritism now shown to railroads
and other privileged interests is incom-
patible with the fundamental principles
of our government, and a disgrace 10 our
State.
We denounce the improper use of
money in elections and demand the en-
actment Of State law which shall make
| the giving or accepting Of money by or
from any corporation to be used in cleo
tions a penal offense, with severe penal-
| ties attached.
Debauchery Of the ballot. by the cor
rupt use of money, is a crime against
American institutions, and to prevent, or
even check. the further commission OF
that crime IS a work worthy of the best
| qualities in our citizenship.
We demand the election of United
States Senators by popular vote.
For many years New Jerseys seats in
The United States Senate have been oc-
! cupied by agents and attorneys of the
railroads and other public utility corpo-
rations.
We demand a return to the system Of
electing State Assemblymen by districts.
The present system gives into the
hands of the party machine too much
power. The change we propose will es-
tablish closer and more responsible rela-
/ tionshrip between the cit1zen and his rep
resentative IN the State Legislature,
We demand such additions 10 the pri-
mary law as experience has shown to
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