The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-05-08
DUTY OF VOTER TO LAWMAKER
senator HiIIery speaks on this subject
at the X. M. q. "A. sunday Afternoon.

the meeting in the X. M. G. A. hall
on Sunday afternoon, which was adj
dressed by Senator Thomas Hillery.
Ex-senator S. IS. Childs presided and
Grinnell Willis occupied seat upon
the platform.
| The subject announced was The
Duty of the Voter to the Lawmaker,"
and the speaker said it could be stated
either that way or it's opposite, the in
terests are mutual He said he be-
lieved the subject fitting for a Sunday
afternoon and that men Of the char
acter Of those connected with associa-
tions of the character Of the one I'M
der whose auspices the address was
delivered well fitted to analyze such
matters. We can never have too
much religion and it is fact that all
non-church going men are not always
lirreligious.
| In these strenuous times when critl-
cism is wide spread the lawmaker
needs consolation. Many believe that
when they have cast their votes they
have done their full duty, but it is
also their duty TO see that their repre-
sentatiYes are informed in these days
| when so many acts are introduced in
the legislature. 1t is impracticaible
to get together as in the old town
meeting and the representative from
| the district is only acting for the peo-
pie. He had felt supported and forth
fed by letters received from his CON
stituents and had used the contents
of the letters in his arguments.
There can be nothing better for the
country or state than the general
awakening to the duty of citizens in
public matters. 1t is the duty of the
voter to be informed on the topics be-
ing discussed in the legislature.
The past session saw an unusual
number of important acts up for con-
sideration. The railroad tax law Of
1884 had become obsolete and was not
a proper law at all. Another law was
enacted, but the question is not set
tied for good as we have not attained
the real basis of taxation.
The subject Of franchises is old but
nearly every state in the union was a
little ahead of New Jersey in this
matter. Many believe the law just
passed will stand long. All ought
to be opposed to special privileges.
In the case of the automobile bill
the Morristown Civic Association took
hold of the matter and assisted the
Senator. In order to be good citizens
all ought to be informed on general
topics. Without information it is Inn
possible to inform the legislator.
Then the voter has a duty in select.
ing his representatives. If there are
bosses in the state the people are re-
sponsible for them. Who is it that
can become powerful but the man who
gives time and attention to political
matters at primaries and elections and
is active all the year around. If he is
a good man we may thank God for his
kind, but if he works for selfish inter-
est he ought not to be tolerated. If a
single man can exercise arbitrary
power then the citizens have given up
their rights Of citizenship.
| The speaker referred to the work.
ings of the primary law and urged his
hearers to be just as active as the
other fellow.
| When we believe our representative
is doing his full duty we ought not to
allow either an individual or the press
to say i'll of him. The tendency is to
criticise not only individuals, but the
whole legislature. Referring to the
power Of the press he said, probably in
| the effort to outstrip competitors the
press has condemned legislatures and
men. He had been criticised for the
statement, but he reaffirmed that In
his opinion the members of the last
| Legislature we're as independent a body
of men as could be found in any legis-
lature.
He had the honor Of being the
leader, but only moved to adjourn.
He declared that there was not eau
Gus or any unanimity Of action, giving
examples of the line up on measures
to prove his point. There are recog-
nized leaders. but they have not the
power attributed to them by the press.
He did not want to see the press so
wrapped up with any faction or party
as to condemn wholesale.
1T Is the greatest nonsense that men
do not seek Office except for sordid mo-
tives. There may be treason in the
United States Senate, but the maga-
zines should say who the traitors are.
New Jersey is called a traitor State
on account of some of the corporation
laws, but if the laws are SO bad why
does not some one point out remedy.
He believed that the wave would pass
sooner or later and that the men re-
sponsible will be eliminated
We are just entering an era Of COM
plex problems, and he urged his hear
ers to study the questions which re-
late to government We need the
best brains, the best information and
the best zeal.
The collection taken was for the