Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-01-09

disorder, guarantees TO rT<fr voter Ihe
assurance that he may cast his vote with
out Interference and nave that vote hon
estly and fairly counted and secures with
In the party absolute and untrammeled
freedom of choice in the selection Of par
ty candidates. Under its provisions no one
individual or organization can dictate
nominations. Every candidate has an
equal nance and can appeal to the peo-
pie with the assurance of success II his
appeal is justified. The very fact that
the primary law makes possible the exer-
else of power on the part of the people at
n time is a perpetual reminder to those
IN authority that they are the peoples
servants and not the peoples masters.
Another step in the direction of popular
government might be wisely considered
by the legislature. At the present time
both bodies of our legislature represent
precisely the same constituencies. The
house of assembly, as now constituted, is
practically another senate composed of
more members, with a one year term. 1t
consists of multiple instead of individual
units. In many counties, especially in the
larger ones, imaginary districts have been
formed. and nominations are made with
more or less consistency from those dis
tricts existing, not in law, but merely in
the fancy of the nominating convention.
This fiction is not a remedy for, but rather
a popular protest against. the present con-
dition. The member in those counties
that send more than one representative to
the house of assembly have, however, no
distinct and separate constituency to
whom they may answer and to whom they
are responsible. Indeed, all these menu
bers might possibly come from a single
community or a single place within the
county.
Such a system invites machine domino
ton. On the other hand, the system of
assembly districts provides a well defined
constituency from whom each member
receives his legislative authority. brings
him nearer to the people, makes him more
responsible to the voters, gives the people
a more convenient and direct voice in
matters of legislation and accords more
with the principles of representative gov
eminent This can of course be accom-
plished by a constitutional amendment.
1t may be attempted safely in another
way. An act might be passed at this ses-
sion of the legislature creating assembly
districts and imposing some immediate
duty upon some public official, as. for in
stance, the clerk of the county. The fall
ure of this official to perform this min
isterial duty at once could be followed by
mandamus proceedings to bring the ques-
ton again before the courts. A final de-
cision could then be promptly rendered
by our court of last resort, which has not
yet passed upon this matter.
At the last session of the legislature the
house of assembly appointed a committee
to investigate the subject of the so called
lobby and report thereon, with recon-
mendations. That report will doubtless
De laid before you in the course of your
deliberations. The legislature should take
such action as will shield itself from any
suspicion of corrupt influence.
Corrupt Practices.
The purity of the ballot is necessary to
safe and honest government. Honest cleo
lions and honest officials go hand in land.
The recent disclosures in business and po-
litical circles, of which every American is
ashamed, are founded on corruption at
the polls. Unless we seek the source of
the evil as well as the punishment of the
wrongdoers our lesson has not been we'll
learned. Between the bride giver and the
bride taker let there be no distinction.
Each is morally c%ulpable. There cannot
be bride givers without bride takers. To
condemn one m justify the other is a
remedy that compromises with crime.
The punishment of the bride gfver and
the bride taker at the same time, now
ever, is not always possible. The difficulty
with our laws against bribery Is that by
making both bride taker and bride giver
punishable at the same time both are
v " lGht iSioos ttibS IN 5ht -
refuse to testify on the ground of self in
elimination. Under these conditions con-
viction is difficult.
1 would amend the bribery laws by lirl-
iting the penalties for their violation to
disfranchisement for a term of years. ac-
cording to the humble of the offenses
committed. If offenses against the bribery
laws were punishable by disfranchise-
ment and the consequent disgrace, l be-
lieve they would be just as effective as
Imprisonment. and conviction would be
more easily secured. If this punishment
did not prove effective a second offense
should be punished by Imprisonment as
we'll as disfranchisement. l would pro-
vide that the informer. whether he be the
bride giver or the bride taker, should be
exempt from punishment.
Our laws should be more comprehensive
in the definition of bribery. The actual
giving of money or the promise of a posi-
ton are not the only forms of corrupting
the voter. There are other ways equally
baneful and more insidious. Thu English
corrupt practices act forbids any form Of
entertainment, even the providing of
meat or drink, either on the part of can
didates or of any one else in the interests
of candidates or parties. The entertain
ment or e%quipping of clubs and contribu-
lions thereto are likewise forbidden, as
well as the employment of carriages to in
voters to come to the polls in the
of any particular candidate or
party. Anti-bribery laws to be effective
must cover all ways in which money can
be used to seduce the voter.
To these suggestions add publicity in
with election expenses. There
are some legitimate expenses. These
should be defined by law. and the candi-
dates and their agents. likewise defined by
law, should be compelled to render an ac-
counting of he money expended and for
what purposes. / recommend the English
and Massachusetts corrupt practices acts
for elections. caucuses and primaries as
the basis of legislation on this subject.
Forestry Reservations.
Among New jerseys valuable resources
are her woodlands. Forty.six per cent of
the upland area of New Jersey is better
adapted to the production of forests thar
to- sraziAg- or -tulage. "A plan for the -utili--
cation of this territory for the growth of
timber and the reclamation of our waste
for purposes of tree culture was in
at the last session OF the legis-
lature. Under the provisions of that act
a forestry commission was appointed.
The commissions aim has been, first, to
secure a tract where tree culture could be
avaxnnliGaI md -cfudieJ in a nraptioaI