The Penn's Grove record., 1906-08-10
New JERSEYS Issues IN 1906.
The Democratic State Committee Is
sues Statement to the People.

eminent. 1t has become insensible-
to every passion but greed. Ayarice
seems to be its chief characteristic.
The corrupt Influences of corporate
control have eaten into its very heart.
It's own supporters openly charge its
record to be one of bitter hostility to
the interests OF the people of the state.
This record ST made is to be eXamin-
ed by the people, in order that judg-
ment may be passed upon it. We in
vite attention to it and we unhesitating-
ly place ourselves in opposition thereto
and invoke the verdict of the people in
the contest before us.
EXTRAyAGANCE.
Their extravaganza has been extra0r-
binary. When the Democracy relin
pushed the chief executive Office of the
state the annual expenditure was the
sum of 81 ,S57 $50, exclusive of pay
ments of bonds or loans. To-day it has
attained the extraordinary figure of
nearly three times this sum, which is
grossly disproportionate to the growth
of our wealth and population.
CONTRIBUTIONS BY CORPORATION.
A gigantic evil in which the Demo-
cracy has always Warred has been the
unlawful contributions by corporations
to political parties for Legislative pro-
lection in their predatory control of the
business of the day.
1t is well know that the sums of
money contribution to the Republican
campaign funds in this state have been
gigantic in proportion. No such gifts
are made without a common under
standing that such companies shall re-
cieve adequate protection in their
plumber of the people. Corrupt legisla-
ton is the consequence of this partner
ship in crime.
Bills introduced for relief were de-
feated. Effective legislation was de
MED. 1t was felt by the collection of
men who dominate the Republican
party in this state that such loss to
their treasury would seriously menace
their control of the political machinery
of the state. The tide is rapidly rising
and if anything is clear at the present
hour it is that the people propose to
write in the statue book that corporate
contributions to political parties must
cease. The creature cannot be suffered
to remain the master. Prompt chast-
lsement should be visited upon all off
ending corporate bodies and in addi-
ton a revocation of the charter granted
by the state.
These corporations maintain their
chosen representatives, on the floor of
both chambers of the legislature, and
they are able to defeat measures intend
ed to release their grip upon the state.
They defeated the lobby bill intended
to exclude these f%reebooters from the
precincts of the legislative chambers.
EQUAL TAXATION.
For many years in this state the
Democratic party has been the outspok-
en- champion of equal taxation. In ali
state conventions for twenty-five years
it has so proclaimed.
In 1884 Leon Albeit, with strong in
diyiduality and powerful influence.
pressed it upon the legislature with
such marked result that for the first
an advance was made toward this
desirable goal. Itwasa compromise, but
1t was also an advance. The party. in
season and out of season, in every state
platform, boldly championed the cause.
In 1904 every other consideration was
aside and the party constructed its
platform to achieve this single purpose.
1t was made plain for the first time the
special privileges New Jersey railroads
in taxes, since their organiZa-
ton, that was not common to the
people of the whole state.
The Republican party denied the
truth of his statement, and in medaci.
Gus documents sought to answer the
A year later, however, they
were frightened into action when adv
lsion of their w ranks on this very
question compelled them to adopt the
views advocated by the Democracy. |
After two years delay, most reluctantly. |
a bill wasframed TO accomplish partly
taxation. True to its instinct for
entangllng corporate alliances, it was
resolved to turn this appeal for bread
lnto a stone. Laws were passed to cut
Ihe tax rate in two 10y doubling the val |
nations, so that the railroad property
for the first time in the history of the
was called to pay a proper propol-
lion of the public burden should only
be obliged to pay the smallest sum
possible. County boards of tax GOV
eminent We're created invested with
extraordinary powers in pursuance of
his common end.
The shameful plot bare is in all its
baseness. To make il sure and safe |
these county boards We're made, not
.non-partisan, but partisan, as I'm APP
pendage aud adjunct to the Republican
machine.
ASSEMBLY DrsTRIcs.
When it became clear that it was in
interest oftheir party to go back to
election Of assemblymen by dis
the Republican leaders caused
an act TO be passed, which has never
been surpassed as "a brilliant illustra-
ton Of a political gerrymander, Ter
f1tory no contingnouS. or but Slightly