Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1907-09-19
His Name Placed Before the Delegates
byjudge Wi|burA. Mott Amid Much
EnthuSiaSm-Nom Speech.
SENATOR COLBY NAMES S0MMER
vivianM.Lewis, ofPassaic, Developed
Big Following Early and Became
Justice Forts Closest Rival.

, admirable justice of our supreme court?
THE name of this man is John
Franklin Fort. Mach enthusiasm)
rs he a courageous man? Go ask
the men who compose the most power
full and brazenly defiant combination Of
law breakers and gamblers the state of
New Jersey ever knew, and they will
tell you he possesses a determined cour-
age that is absolutely uncomfortable.
The splendid courage everywhere ex-
hibited by him in the dischargeA ju-
dicial duty reveals the true char&c OF
the man. and has given to the. caua pf
civic righteousness in New Jerse
real and vital impulse. No man or
of men, no interest or combination
interests can ever dominate such a ma
rs he man of experience in affairs
Aside from the broadening process\
through which he has passed while on
the bench. he has always taken a deep
and intelligent interest in the discus
sion of all great political questions. No
man in the state is more familiar with
our institutions, more truly alive to
their needs. Certainly no man in the
state is better qualified to meet the
people face to face and discuss the is
sues in this campaign. In the ripe MAJ
turity of his powers. both physical and
mental, his splendid eloquence will be
heard from Sussex to Cape May, ana
his leadership will be of that aggres-
sive kind that deserves and commands
success.
What do you ask are his views ON
the issues of the hour? True it is that
the seclusion imposed by judicial pro-
priety has prevented him in recent
| years from participation in-the- -Ra7113f1
discussion of pending issues, but flSc's1 s.
| OF us who know him personally km6te
| that he holds advanced ground on ali
the questions in which the people are
| today most interested. He stands for
the direct primary; he stands for the
expression of the popular will as to
| choice for United States senator; he
stands for an adequate and efficient
public utilities law he stands for the
equal taxation of all kinds and classes
of property; he stands for civil service
reform, and he will not stand for the
lowering of our moral standards. No
man will life higher the banner of pro-
Sress and civic righteousness. or more
courageously declare what his position
is on every important question before
the people, than will he.
Then, too. he believes that the best
trument known among men for the
'complishment of those high ends is
he republican party. He is a republic
can; he believes in its principles and
is a loyal supporter of the administra-
tion of its great leader, Theodore
Roosevelt. (Much enthusiasm).
Gentlemen of the convention, il you
this day make John franklin Fort your
nominee for governor. this day will he
resign his judicial Office. and assume
the active leadership of the republican
hosts of the state His candidacy will
appeal to whatever is highest and the
best in our citizenship. Under his
splendid leadership, we will march to
assured victory. There must be no fa1a
tering in our loyalty to the republican
party this year. The great national
contest of next year is almost at hand-
We owe it to ourselves, we owe it to
the republican party of the nation, to
make success next year certain, by de-
serving and winning success this year.
The one man in the state who can sure
ly lead us to victory is John Franklin
Fort. and him nominate"
The popularity of Justice Fort was
manifested by the demonstration that
/ followed this speech. g 2
Senator Colby placed the name off
| Frank H. Sommer before the conven3
tion and received an ovation from thoN
( New Idea delegates.
Justice Forts Career.
/ In making John Franklin Fort, -
tice of the Supreme Court, it's candtl
| for governor the republican part 5sS5t
chosen a standard bearer Wa ~ =
more than ten years,-experience on d.
I bench, who has made a famous record
for the enforcement of the law and the
upholding of morality, and who has
figured often before as a prominent
character in New Jersey politics. Be-
sides this they have selected one of the
most vigorous and effective campaign
speakers the state has ever produced.
1t was at Pemberton, Burlington
county, that Justice Fort was born
March 20. 1852. and he is the son OF
Andrew H. and Hannah A. Fort. He
is also the nephew of the late Governor
George F. Fort. who was chief execu-
tive of the state from 1851 to 1854. JUS
tice Fort received his education at Mt
Holly Institute and Pennington Semin-
airy and then studied law with Edward
PaXson. afterward chief justice of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Later
the candidate took up the study of law
with Evan Merritt, of Burlington coun-
ty. and still later was in the office of
Garrit s. Cannon, then prosecutor OF
Burlington county. He was graduated
from the Albany Law School in 1879
with the degree of LII B. Justice Fort
was admitted to the New Jersey bar as
an attorney in 1873, and as counselor
in 1876.
Mr.. Forts political career began be-
\ fore he was old enough to vote, when
4 he took an active part in the presiden-
tial campaign of 1872 Although he had
| barely reached his majority he served
as journal clerk of the assembly during
! the sessions of 1s73-'74. He began the
practice of law in Newark in 1874.
Governor Mcclellan Il ought so we'll
of Mr. Fort that in 1873 he appointed
/ him judge of the First District Court
of Newark for a term o. five years, and
at the expiration of the term he was re-
appointed by Governor Ludlow. but re-
signed two years later to resume the
active practice of law.
Continued OF mage %