The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-02
SHAMEFUL CHAPTER OF STATE HISTORY THE POWER OF
PUBLIC OPINION &C. &C

"A SHAMEFUL CHAPTER OF STATE HISTORY TIE POWER OF
PUBLIC OPINION &C, &C
In all the history of New jerseys State institutions there is
nothing to parallel the gross inefdciency and negligence of the
Trenton asylum officials, as now being brought out before the
Assembly Investigating Committee. Not only was murder com
mhted and hushed up, but there was a most cod-blooded and
|heartless indifference shown in the face of an epidemic which
cost a number of lives and threatened scores of others.
Inachon and callousness stick out everywhere. The men
directly in charge of the patients and the institution took their
time about reporting to the Board, the Board was exceedingly
deliberate and unhuried in issuing orders regarding precautionary
measures, and the Warden delayed a month in obeying the ordersl
To cap it all, the officials who should have been working
day and night to guard the patients went off on vacation while
the epidemic was at its height.
Just think of what it all meansl Think of men fleeing to
places of safety and personal enjoyment while DUTY and the
commonest dictates of humanity dictated that they should be at
their posts no matter what the sacrifice. And the incomparaby
incompetent Board of Managers sat twiddling their thumbs while
the disease was sweeping through the institution.
A more shameful and disgraceful chapter of New Jersey
history could hardly be written. Governor Stokes owes it to-
the State and to himself to SET that every man in any way
responsible for the conditions shall leave the public service
forthwith.
Two recent events have demonstrated anew the power of
public opinion in this country.
1t was the force of that power that compelled the New
York Herald to drop like a hot potato its senseless and
criminal efforts to stir up war with japan.
And the same power brought about the Taft Endorsement in
Ohio bv the Republican State Central Committee. That com
mittee was selected and built up by Senators Foraker and Dick
and in the absence of any strongly-expressed popular sentiment
it would have followed their lead. But more than twothirds of
the Committee went on record as favoring the Presidential can
didacy of William H. Taft in spite of the strenuous efforts and
appeals of Senator Foraker to prevent such action.
What's the use of being an Alderman in Newark If the
police IRE going to treat you like any ordinary citizen This
a burning and clamorous question, and it must be settled
soon, and settled right. Settling it right means the issuance of
instructions to the police force, which shall forever prevent any
policeman from decorating the feelings or dignity of a Alder
under penalty of being dismissed and doing time in the
Penitentiary.
How are the Aldermen to be identified Experts in char
study can tell an Alderman half a mile away, but it isl
to expect the average patroman to be SO gifted.
All doubt could be removed if the City Fathers were to wear
official robes with plenty of gold braid, and a cooked hat toI
match. If desired a large and ornate badge, or sword with
lovely red, white and blue tassels on the hlt might be added.
Clashes between the Federal and State authorities are always
to be deplored, and especially so when they involve the judici-
airy. He is nc true patriot who will knowingly help to lessen
or break down popular confidence in our judges, but the judges
are not always wise in their official conduct. One trouble isl
that until, recently most of our judges were formerly corpora
ton lawyers educated, reared and trained in an atmosphere per-
meated by sympathy for their clients and their side. This does
mot imply that they were not thoroughly honest and conscien-
|uous. But we all know how hard it is to get away from the
preiudices of years of environment, no matter how hard we try
and how unconsciously these prejudices will influence US.
The remedy, of course, is to select for judges men whose
affiliations, associations and Intellectual habits are such a to-
guarantee imparialty and the greatest reasonable amount of
practical human wisdom.
A New York Judge touring Europe spent one day lately in
an English court, and his observations prompted him to contrast
the methods there and in his home city, to the disadvantage