The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-21

Suppose we begin with the declarations 0 n the Excise ques-
ton, inasmuch as that seems to hold the largest share of popu-
lar attention ?
In the Democratic platform this paragraph is the only one
that suggests any relation to the Sunday closing agitation:
We favor the greatest extension of the principle of home
rule in municipal government, securing to each municipality the
absolute control of all matters requiring local administration,
without undue interference by the Legislature.
Observe, if you please. that there is no demand for a re-
peal of the Bishops bill" for which a majority of the Demo
cratic Assemblyman strove s. stubbornly last winter-in fact, no
reference to that legislation. Pending a positive and formal
announcement on the part of the Gubernatonal candidate that
declaration in the platform may be construed s one wants to-
either as to having specific reference to the Excise proposition
or a being restricted to other functions of municipal government
Now we turn to the Republican platform and find this:
The Republican party has accomplished needed reform in
excise legislation and pledges itself to maintenance of it,
That has been generally taken as an Endorsement of the
so-called " Bishops bill - and the announcement of a determine
ton to maintain it on the statute books. It will be so re-
garded in the rural districts and those communities which are
unalterably opposed to even the suggestion OF legalzed Sunday
liquor selling. But we have the Republican candidate, ex-Judge
Fort explicitly declaring that he believes with all his heart in
Home Rule, and adding
matter of its police regulations The enthusiastic reception
accorded to this statement by those who fought for a Local
Option plank indicates very clearly the meaning that they
attach to it.
Is it unfair after reading and comparing both planks to sayl
that the Republicans have gone as far as they dared in deciding
in favor of the Bishops bill" and against any Sunday open
ing and still left themselves a loophole on which to appeal to
liberal voters in the large cities?
Is it unjust to say that the Democrats have substantially
promised legislation permitting each municipality to settle the
Sunday liquor selling problem for itself and yet have done it in
such a way as to not antagonize wholly the temperance element
in the paryf
The average citizen will want to hear a little more from
the candidates before closing the record and feeling sure that hel
knows precisely what each party stands for.
As to the scandals unearthed by the Assembly Investigating
Committee the Democratic platform says
The reprehensible practses of State ofheia1s-retaining and
applying public funds to their personal advantage and to the
detrment of the State, persistent and chronic failure to discharge
official duties, commonly called absenteesm,' occupying dual
carrying double e1noluments but involving no increased
labors, nepotsm, the constant mu1tpicatons 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 acknowledgement of
the managers of State insitutions-warrant unqualified condem-
nation and demand immediate correction"
The Republican platform carries only this brief and hurried
paragraph n the subject
eve pledge ourselves to correct any and all abuses that
be found in any State department Or institution, and to
hold all officials to a strict accountability for faithful public
The obvious retort to this is: Why haven't the Republi-
cans done something Why haven't they bounced the negi-
the inefficient and the unfahhful officials They haven't
done so, nor have they made a move sin that direction. So far
as the Democrats are concerned they may Justly claim that they
will act the moment the people give them the necessary power.
Roth platforms favor the following:
The creation OF Assembly districts.