Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1907-10-05

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governor made his first formal speech
at the Kruger Auditorium, last night.
Greatest interest was manifested in
his utterances on the subject of eX-
else legislation. He came out fiat
foOtedly in support of the state plat
forms declaration for the enforce
ment of the Bishops law, the Sun
day closing act He declared that
the enactment of that law was the
outcome of a great moral movement,
but he expressed his willingness, if
the legislature should enact mOdifi-
cations of the present law in answer
to general public demand, to yield
to the sentiment and act accordingly.
He said on this subject in part:
The excise question has always
been a bothersome one and will be
used by politicians to excite contro-
versy until it is taken out of the do
main of political discussion in some
satisfactory way. The democratic
state platform has taken no position
upon it, and in no way mentioned it.
The candidate of that party in his
speech of acceptance has done the
same thing.
The republican plank on the ex-
else question, is as follows: 1.-The re-
publican party has accomplished the
needed reform in excise legislation,
and pledges itself to the maintenance
of it, This could have reference to
but one act of legislation, the So
called Bishops bill
Has any one denied that the Bish-
ops bill has effected needed reform
in excise matters? The bill was
To- - Il
religious demands of the state.
While the present excise laws re-
main upon the statute book, a gov
ernor who regards his oath of Office
and his fidelity to the constitution of
the state has no discretion. His
sworn constitutional duty is to exc
cute the law. If elected | shall obey
my oath.
Mr.. Fort pledged that if elected
governor there would be absolute
independence" in his every act, that
there will be no private entrance to
the executive chamber for any man
or set of men in or out of the state
and that he would not try to inter
fere in any way with the legislature
OF "the divorce of the legislative and
executive he said:
Inc constitution OIL our state uennes
specifically the duties of the executive
and the Legislative departments of the
government The powers of the exec
utive in matters of legislation are sim
ply to recommend such measures as he
may deem eXpedient and to check by
veto such proposed laws as he may
deem objectionable. The interference,
by the executive with the Legislative
department of the government is, to my
ind tltr11r n1,i oil hla Th1
legislative department is as separate
from the executive as is the judicial
and any interference by the executive
in matters of Legislation, outside of the
method pointed out in the constitution
of the state, is an usurption of author
ity contrary to the constitution, and il
my view offensive in the extreme.
The fathers in creating our constitu
tion established the three departments
of government for purpose. and eacl
should remain within it's own cOnStitu
tional limitations, meeting it own du
ties in the manner pointed out by tn,
constitution.
If elected the governor of this stat,
l shall observe the constitution in thi!
respect and exercise only those func
tions which are within the constitution
and the spirit of republican govern
ment under it.
To the legislature has been commit
ted the function of the enactment o
laws To them and to them only mus
the people look for legislation. In tn,
performance of their duties in this re
spect they must remain Independent o
either executive or judicial influence o.
coercion. that the foundation principle:
of our form of constitutional govern
ment may be maintained in their in
tegrity.
Mr.. Fort declared that he and hi
party were pledged to effect civil ser
vice reform. to enact laws to separat,
municipal from state elections, to es
tablish direct primaries, saying in thi
connection, "Bossism will be ended" t,
establish public utilities commission
to protect the states riparian lands
to obtain home rule-'local matters t,
be determined by the governing bod,
of each municipality"-the choosing o
United States senators by the people
and notifications of the election law
that will provide "a free and fair vot
3 and correct count" On other question
he said in part:
For several years past there has beer
much controversy over the subject o
railroad taxation. The republican part,
has met the public demand by enactins
two bills, commonly known as TIN
Duffield act of 1905 and the Perkins ac
of 1905. BY these acts the method o
taxing railroad property has bee,
changed and the burden of taxation
cast upon the railroads has been great
ly increased. The decision of the su
preme court as to the constitutionalit,
of this legislation is now under review
in the court of errors and appeals. l
is of the utmost Importance that TIL
method of state taxation of railroa