New-York tribune., 1907-06-07
PEOPLES LOBBY APPEAL.
asks Stokes to Work for Ci1iI Ser
lice and Other Reforms.

The Peoples Lobby sent to Governor Stokes of
New Jersey yesterday a letter urging him TO work
when the Legislature reconvenes, for the initiative
and referendum: for the direct election or United
States Senators: for a utilities bill and for other
reforms Civil Service is called to the Governors
attention is laid upon the lobhys desire
for a reform of the corporation laws
The first paragraph of the letter deals with the
lobby's desire for direct primary nominations
pointing out the action of other states The letter
goes on to say:
vsory initiative and referendum, or public opinion
law: Many progressive states have added the mi
tiatiye and referendum TO their election nacInneIE'
giving to the people a means of definitely express
The The system 6as BEEN 1 estabshed its effect has been
70 minimize corporations and machine innuehGe , IN
representative of the public interests, The tnlla-
has been adopted in oregon. North Dakota, South
Dakota Illinois, Mchigaq Nebraska u,an o%L0
setts. CONSTITUTIONAL amendments for its establish est,
IN meR ae are 6e4s d Tist61 10 9deT Consideration
in Pennsylvania and Ohio. with pr3ha5lntX OF
ture in both states
Then ballot reform is touched upon. The adop
ton of the Massachusetts blanket ballot and the
abolition of the party lever on voting machines
urged Public utilities then considered. and
the lobby has this 10 say
one of the most prolific evils in New Jersey is
the abuse Of special privileges enjoyed ny our pup
lie utility corporal lions. EXt0rtlonate charges Ior
olies controlling the trolley, electric light and
power, gas water, telephone and telegraph utili-
ties throughout the state ptaliza tion. bad
management, private greed and Indifference to
public rights are the general causes for these
evils. In New York Republican Governor fought
the combined powers of the corporations and allied
political machines and forced the passage of a
measure creating a public utilities commission 10
regulate minimize these corporation abuses and
evils.
Much space is devoted 10 the subject of corpora
ton law reform The present laws said to be
"a byword Of reproach all over the country The
prevention of stock watering is urged, and support
is asked for the bills prepared by the New England
Society of Orange Civil Service then has its turn
the lobby saying:
Civil Service is n highly desirable reform, and
wherever introduced has gone far toward eHmlnat-
ing the debasng spOils system which makes Tor de-
Generacy in politics ana mediocrty in public ser
vice. While Civil Service alone would not eradlcate
the grosser evils in our state affairs II would
help, in combination with the more important re
forms hereinbefore urged. to cleanse party politics
and restore rule by the people instead OF rule by
the corporations ana political machines. We IN
dOTse your efforts toward securing this reform
pledge you our support in this or any enort You
undertake which makes for better government. ana
urge that YOU continue with st greater lnslStence
your fight force this excellent measure 10 pas
sage, Notwithstanding the opposition or the petty
politicians who regard patronage at any cost as
the highest desid@ratum In politics