The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-13

HAVE STATE
BY THROAT
Tighter Hold Than Ever,
Freeman Tells Peoples
LObby--Sees Much to Do.

The Peoples Lobby last night. at
Acntel- Stetter's, decided to continue its
fight for reforms which it believes to
be necessary for the welfare of the
public, and will take an active interest
lin the work Of the coming Legislature.
The reports OF the secretary and the
treasurer. the former showing a mem
bership OF 341 compared to fourteen a
year ago, the latter showing a balance on
hand Of 1923, were placed on hle.
Tho nominating committee. Daniel Eel
lows Platt. Alden Freeman, William Mayo
Atkinson and Prof. Byron c. Matthews.
nominated the following officers for the en-
suing year:
President. R. Henry Depue, of Plain
field; secretary, Edward H. Wright, OF
Newark; treasurer, Henry II. Dawson OF
Newark; actuary, Adolph Rocder. or Or
ange; executive committee. Alexander X.
Fordyce, of Dayton; Herman 3. Walker,
Of Orange; Edmond A. Whittier, OF East
Orange; Oar Fellows Plat. OF BnsieWooo,
Simon p. Northrup. Of Newark; waiter
C. Linbarger, Of North Plainfleld, ana
George f Cutler, Of jersey City. Ine
nominees weres elected TUG
secretary casting the ballots
A resolution was adopted ealing upol,
the executive committee to draft ana
present for introduction at the next ses-
sion OF the legislature an amendment 70
the direct primary law, extending Tue
operation Of the statute to the elecion VI
delegates to national conventions.
Colonel Alexander r. Fordyce revieweo
the work Of the year, and congratulated
the organization upon Its GROWTH WHICH
had been shown by the secretary,
The members, distributed throughout tne
counties of the State, follows: Sussex, );
Union, So; Atlantic. ls; Burlington, W
Cumberland, 2; Gloucester. l; Hunteroon'
i; Middlesex. 9; Bergen, 80; CamGen. y
Essex. 141; Hudson, 80; Mercer, 4; Mon
mouth, IS: Ocean. 2; Morris, II; Saiem' o.
Somerset. 9; Passaic. II.
The Colby movement received Coionel
Fordyce's attention, and he SAID that
the New Idea followers were taking up Tue
ideas Of the Peoples Lobby, and although
he declared that the Colby men took credit
for originating a great deal of the work
planned by the Peoples Lobby, he SAID
that he did not mind this, so long as re-
suits were accomplished.
The initiative n referendum came IN
for the attention of Donat A. Frltsch' VINO
said that tho initiative and referendum is
best exempliied by its operation IN S"lt-
zerland. Mr.. Atkinson made an ADDRESS
upon 1.-THE Efficient Development OF lnlanu
Waterways.', and advocated the resurrec-
tfon OF the Morris. the Raritan and the
Delaware Canals by the State. He said
that they should be operated with modern
machinery and placed in good condition.,
and denounced as high-handed corporation
im~pertinence the blocking of the Raritan
River by the Long rBanch and New Jer-
sey Railroad.
Mr.. Roeder said that he had received
three long letters from Charles A. Boston,
of New York, which will be printed IN
circular form for distribution. Among the
references in Mr.. Boston's letters was the
revision of the State Constitution. One
hundred and ~eighty-1ye answers had been
received, Mr.. Boston wrote, to a circular
lssSsr>gept to prominent men of the state
: hing neutrality-suspicious. upon constitutional
esvisionI These letters are believed 10 be
.s~nresentative of the thoughts Of men who
..ta Given the constitutional question
ao,ious study. Especial complaints were
roade Of what WAS termed the inadequacy
ar the Constitution to cover present rail-
road and corporation conditions. Many or
the letters complained that the court sys-
tenn is inefficient and bound by opsoiete
forms and red tape.
Edward II. Wright, jr, advocated the
raising of more drastic legislation for the
regulation Of public service corporations,
and received hearty applause. In this con-
nection IT was agreed to have an informal
meeting of the members to consider this
subject and the cXpedlency OF proposing d
revision of the State Constitution at an
early date.
Alden Freeman said:
1T is my belief that the corporation
grip upon the government of New Jersey
was never stronger than at the present
time and l can see no hone OF over
throwing corporation rule from within
either OF the old parties. Senator Colby
tells us tina independent movements ncvet
accomplish permanent reforms, but my
reading of history Is all the other way.
What Governor Hughes is accomplishing
in New York state is through direct
appeal to the people.
$50 long as The forces OF reform are d.
xided up among various political parties.
they are easily handled by the corpora
tions, but when the independents once