The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-13
State Chairman Hudspeth
SAYS It Will Declare for
Needed Reforms.
THINKS PARTY WILL WIN
Recalls Reforms Brought About
Under Former Democratic
State Administrati0ns.-Plat-
form to Call for Equal Tax.
alton and Home Rule.

JERSEY CITY. Sept. 1s.-Robert s.
Hudspeth chairman of the Democratic
State Committee, today gave out the fol-
lowing statement:
II suppose 1t is expected of me at THIS
time, as chairman of the Democratic State
Committee, to make some predictions for
the press concerning the character ana
scope of the platform which may be
adopted by the Democratic convention ana
the chalfces of the election of a Demo-
cratic Governor.
"Concerning the character of the platform
which may be adopted by lthe coming con-
contain a declaration of principles ana poii.
cies that will fully meet the wishes and
aspirations of the thinking and patriotic
people of the commonwealth. For instance,
j am sanguine that the platform VIII In
clude direct vote for United states sen,
ators, regulation Of public utilities, lmitea
franchises, taxation of franchises, .pri-
mary recount law an anti-monopoly law,
anti-bribery In election and corrupt prac,
tse acts, election of state oii1cers ana
members of State commissions, law proVl-
ding for absolutely equal taxation, the
separation of spring and fall elections,
home rule, and, in fact. declarations con-
cerning all the vital and pressing matters
which the people at this time insist shall
NOW we approach the rock. upon which
so many pOlitical prophets nave been
wrecked Prognosticating as to the success
of a political candidate, l am not generaly
very optimistic, and am strongly impressed
with the idea. tnat n prQpnet Al LIE VWit
country is never taken seriously. II take
the lamp of experience to enlignten met
that is the trend of events In the politlcal
history of the State, for the last ten years,
I might well hesitate In risking my reputa-
tfon MS a prophet Reading this history
inpartially we find that the Democratic
party, which for years had been the doml-
nant party in the State, and nWhicn hao
from 1859 when Theodore F, Randolph was
elected Governor, down to 1896, whcn
ended the term Of George 7. Werts, elected
from its ranks, without break, the yarl-
ous chief executives of the State, whose
respective administrations We're not only
credit to themselves, but source OF pride
and qualification to every Jerseyman.
I'm those days a Democrat from New
Jersey, wherever a Democrat was found,
in or out of our country, was looked
lIpon and anvied as a member of one OF
the greatest, and most respected political
organizations In the land. But disaster
came. as 1t will inevitably come, sooner
or later to every political party, too long
vested with power. and gorged with pap
and patronage. The party organization
got away from the control of the people.
II failed to respond to their demands. 1t
was used not for the benefit and advan-
tage of the citizen generally, but for the
fuTtherance Of the purpose of the fav-
ored, few The inevitable day OF 1udg-
ment came. 1t had been weighed In the
scales and found wanting. The electors,
regardless of party affiliations or political
creed. arose in their might, and swept
the party and its representatives from
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