The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-11-23
FORT WANTS
NO SHOW AT
INAUGURAL,
Tells Senator's He Prefers
the Old JefferSOnian
Simplicity.
HINTS AT EXCISE CHANGES
Democratic Members Pleased
With His Open Door Policy in
Inviting Their Advice and
Counsel Which Will Be
Always Considered.
HINTS At EXCISE CHANGES

LAKEWOOD, Nov. 23.--Addressing
his Senator guests in private dining
room of the Laurel House here yesterday
afternoon, Governor-eleet John Frank
lin Fort expressed 1t as his wish that
his Inauguration as the Chief Execu-
tive of New Jersey partake of Jeffer-
sonian simplicity, He told the nine
teen members of the upper branch of
the Legislature who accepted his invi-
tation to luncheon that he wanted the
ceremonies to be held in the Assembly
chamber of the State House in Tren-
ton and to be without military honors
or the review of civic organizations.
Heretofore the Inauguration of a
Governor has been made great event.
There has been a big procession, mill
tary and political organizations have
been in line and bands have made the
echoes ring with martial music. Mr..
Fort wants none of the glitter. He re-
quested the Senators to see to it that
the greatest economy was practised in
the ceremonies.
The Governor-to-be recalled the ira
dition that Thomas Jefferson travelled
to the national capitol on horseback.
uIdCCOiIipdillcuy lJAAlb 1lAo lAOAoN
went in to take the oath of office.
That was a precedent that might well
be hllowsd in spirit, he is understood
to have held.
In later remarks, Mr.. Fort, while not
directly mentioning the excise question
as such, In effect said that slight
changes would be necessary in the
States liquor laws next year, and laid
H. Is
Upper House for serious consideration.
Beside the Senators, Governor Ed
ward Casper Stokes was the only other
guest. Mr.. Fort sat at the head Of the
table, with Senator Bloomfield III.
Minch. of Cumberland, president of
this years Senate, at his right, and
Senator Thomas j. Hillery, of Morris
County, who is slated for the presi-
dency of the Senate of 1908, on his left.
At the other end of the table sat Gov
ernor Stokes, with Senator William G.
Gebhardt, Democrat, of Hunterdon, on
his right, and Senator Joseph S. Fre-
linghuysen, of Somerset, on his left.
The dining-room was elaborately dec
grated with chrysanthemums and car
nations. The boutonnieres were crimson
carnations, the famous Mckinley
pink. Inc luIlCucou PlpfOO W NC a
dinner of excellence.
After the dinner. without rising from
his chair and IN a conversational tone,
the Governor reject addressed the men
who will form the upper branch Of the
next Legislature. He said he realized
that no Governor could enter with hope
of success on the administration of his
office without the assistance and conf
dence of the Senate. Particularly was
this true because of the powers of the
Senate in the matter of confirming the
nominations of the chief executive.
Mr.. Fort said that he proposed to
consult the Senate as to the appoint
ments to be made in January. adding
that in the case of the judiciary, his
long experience on the bench, his famil-
iarity with the members of the bar of
New Jersey warranted him in deciding
to be guided by his own judgment.
ST said in my campaign speeches" I"
the Governor elect is understood to
have continued, that, If elected,
would be Governor OF all the people.
want you Democratic members of the
Senate to feel just as free at all times
to consult with and advise with me on
any subject as the members of my own
political party.
Il want to say that I am perfectly
free at tl..s time and have made no
promises to any one.
There has been considerable dis
cussion of late of the advisability of
fcontinued ON Third Pngs.)