Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-09-18
DEMOCRATS CALL FOR
ECONOMY AND REFORM
State Convention Adopts a Platform
Which Does Not Mention the Excise
Question: Home Rule for Cities.
KATzENBACH ON FIRST BALLOT.

Frank S. KatZenbach, Jr, of Tren-
ton, as foretold Tin the EVENING
NEWS yesterday, was nominated for
governor at the democratic state con-
vention. There was only one ballot.
There were six nominations, but
when the roll call for votes began
there was wild scramble to get on
the Katzenbach bandwagon. The
Trenton man received 1858 " votes
out of a total of 1,274; MARITIME,
10415 Senator John Hinchcliffe, of
Passaic county, rs votes, and former
Senator Samuel S. Childs, vote.
Senator George s. Silzer, of Mid
dlesex county, and Congressman
William Hughes, of Bergen county,
were nominated as 'favorite sons"
but their names were withdrawn
when their counties were reached,
and the full strength that had stood
behind them thrown to Katzenbach
Amid wild enthusiasm that fol-
lowed the vote. General Dennis Col
Inns, of Union county, withdrew the
name of MARITIME, Passaic withdrew
Hinchliffe, and there was but one
candidate in the field. On motion of
James r. Nugent, Newark's city
counsel, the convention uproariously
dDpIONtu d IlOlIOu 10 Uldh0 lHt
ination of Katzenbach unanimous.
The convention was unique in many
ways. The platform as adopted treated
the excise question in a manner wholly
different from that expected and desired
by the delegates from the northern
counties. The plank is rather hard TO
find.
Another of the features that Impress
ed the old-timer was the absence of all
g..
al figures in the platform and in the set
speeches of the session. Among the in
novations the opening of the con-
vention with prayer. The Rev. Dr. Otis
: F. Glazebrook, of Elizabeth. offered the
prayer. The delegates evidently didn't
know just what was expected of them
, when the divine had conc luded his invo-
cation. There was a brief pause and
! then they burst out with applause.
1t cannot be said that the convention
will go down in history as a wildly en-
thusiastic gathering. 1t was lively
enough, but the delegates had been
kept in doubt so long as to who would
be favored by Essex and its leaders that
it was difficult for some of them proper
ly to rise to the occasion once the Katz-
enbach boom had begun to sweep all
before it.
The Platform.
The platform adopted without a dis
senting voice reads as follows:
Virtue in state government depends
upon and is measured by the integrity
of it's servants. The reprehensibIe prac-
tises of state Misunderstanding and
applying public funds to their personal
advantage and to the detrfment of the
state. persistent and chronic failure 10
discharge official duties. commonly call
ed "absenteeism," occupying dua! -"si-
tions carrying double emoluments ut
LII. = 1ah
tism the constant multiplications of
commissions TO discharge similar public
functions. the extravaganza and waste
fulness of the State House Commission
in the construction of public buildings.
the nonfeasance and gross mismanage-
ment of the managers of state institu-
tions-warrant unqualified condemna-
tion and demand immediate correction,
and to this end we favor and bind our
selves to the enactment of laws where
by:
Public funds shall be paid to and dis
bursed by the treasury of the state.
"One state and one purse.
Public moneys shall be interestbear-
ing in all cases.
Public officials shall give daily atten-
tion to the discharge of their duties and
shall be permitted to hold but one Office.
Public contracts shall be made and
supplies purchased upon competitive
bidding after due advertisement.
The numerous commissions now hav-
ing charge of the public water supply.
sewerage and other matters pertaining
to public health shall be abolished and
their duties vested in a recognized state
board.
State boards and commissions exer-
q cising kindred functions shall be con-
] solidated.
: we reiterate the demands of the dem
7fx--
four years for the equal taxation of all
property not used for religious, charit-
, able or educational purposes.
We declare for the taxation of the
tangible property of railroad and canal
companies where located. and the taxa
, tion of their franchises by the state.
and we insist that the legislation on
taxation enacted since the ascendency
of the republican party in this state has
been the result of democratic initia-
tive. but has not measured up to its full
demand.
4, We further declare for the repeal of
the law providing for the taxation of
the franchises of public utilities COM
panies upon the basis of their gross re-
ceipts and for the enactment of laws
providing for the taxation of their true
value other property is taxed.
We favor the establishment of COM
mission with ample powers for the pro-
railroads, electric light, gas, water tel
, egraph and telephone companies and all
other public utility corporations.
. In recognition of the constitutional
doctrine that all political power is in
herent in the people. we favor the en-
actment of laws, and where necessary
constitutional amendments, providing
for:
| The selection of United States sena-
tors by popular suffrage.
The election of assemblymen by dis
tricts.
Nomination of candidates for public
office by direct primary vote, without
= the Intervention of delegates or conven-
tionS.
: The election by the people of the
, principal state and county officials.
In order to secure the true expression
of the will of the voter we favor
Municipal elections distinct from
state and national elections.
The passage of stringent laws