New-York tribune., 1907-10-07
LEGISLATIVE MISDEEDS
Peanut Politics DepIored by Voters
-RipmiaR Inquiry Forgotten.

Trenton. oct 6 CspeciaD The political fight for
Governor in progress all along the line Both
the candidates vii; be active from tomorrow until
Election Day Probably there has never been cam
paign for Governor in the history OF the state when
so large a number of young men have engaged IN
the contest and prepared to give so much time and
hard work. L is going TO be close fight Popular
interest Increasing This was shown at the
Interstate Fair on politician day last Thursday.
leader among politicians speaking of the indica-
1ions, to-day said:
From what gather the people not so vttally
interested In the excise question here in South Jer-
sey as the leaders assume. There is good deal or
bluff about II. in my opinion. In North Jersey II
is different. The results of the House investiga-
ton committee have made deep impression the
average voter is anxious 10 know what the outcome
win be. Therein the of the whole state is
centred think that there IS a strong conviction
abroad that there should be a change of state man
agenent because Of the graft. bad management and
crime that have been exposed. 10 my thinking the
conduct Of affairs. shown by the investigation
will lose the Republican party great many votes
on the other hand a moral issue almost any
kind is TO help the party that uphods it. and
Judge Forts fair. outsPoken, frank and fearless
stand upon his party's platform and upon his own
convictions has already won him many votes. The
Democrats would do well to he equally frank
The Trbune's recent criticism the of the
Legislature with approval While Governor
Stokes Z" of the criticism the Demo-
cratic Assembyuel made regarding hfs failure TO
note when he sent his message 70 tho House last
Wednesday asking that II finish Up business SO that
the pamphlet edition Of the laws might be dstrb-
uted The Governor might have avoided criticism
by the Democratic House by sending copy of the
message m the Senate also, for both branches have
been guilty Of neglect.
VOTES LOST BY PEANUT POLITICS.
If the Senate would concur in the bill 10 pay the
expenses Of the House investigation committee
it should have done long ago. and the right
had been given both the committees TO go on with
their work the legislation might Just well stop
this week. Neither house IS making any political
capital for itself. Both are trying 10 carry out
absurd progra mnIes. No votes are being made by
the game of peanut politics the leaders play
ing. There viii be definite agreement on the
public utilities question, for the machine does not
intend in either party to have any utility legsla-
tion. With that sidetrac1ed and the Railroad Com
mission declared practically poweriess by the At
torney General the corporations are satisfied for
the of the year, and the public IS disguised.
The best thing TO do therefore is to quit. If the
two houses cannot get together this week the
election Of United States Senator by the people and
q primary election bill il is only waste Of
time play politics the subjects The party
machine does not vet comprehend that promises
made in the platform TO be fulfilled. 1t still
regards them s an9sthetic 10 be administered
TO the voter when he begins to act though a kick
OF some sort was coming
RIPARIAN INVESTIGATION FORGOTTEN.
There is curious circumstance in connection
with the entire years session that might be re-
ferred 10. Just because il IS curious and not be
cause any action will be taken. More than a year
ago there a riparian investigation conducted
IN the State House and at Jersey City. Some i'm
portant exposures We're made and suggestions were
offered TO the future conduct of the Riparian
Board. The committee, months after, ar
rived a decision which embodied in a bill,
and the board told no more grants were to be
issued leases prepared until definite action
was taken. Then the whole matter apparently
vanished into thin air Grants have been issued
ana leases made and the state has been disposing
Of the hest Of its remaining riparian lands as
though nothing like investigation a promise
had been made The party leaders and
most Of the state officials TO he aware of all
that has been going but when asked about il
say that there has been much of Importance
going during the session that they suppose the
riparian question will have to go
The Legislature need not keep in session any
longer, SO far riparian rights concerned. II
is merely curious circumstance
The House investigation committee viii continue
the investigation at Morris Plains Wednesday.
The revelations made last week caused surprise,
especially the evidence regarding the circumstances
surrounding the death Of ex-Mayor Beatty of
Eackettstown, while he inmate there Mr..
Backes has made good far. and other revela-