Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-01-10

In this period the state. by wise laws
and by judicious outstanding of re-
sources, has been able to add over 49,
/ 100000 to the income of our local tax
ing districts without any contribution
on their part.
The state in addition has been main
! tanning penal Institutions for the good
| order and safety of society. has sup
ported our state schools. contributed to
! Industrial education. sent worthy boys
10 college free of tuition, contributed
to various libraries, lent an aiding
hand TO charity, supported the blind
and feeble minded and epileptic, pro-
Vided home and moral instruction for
hayward boys and girls, cared for the
old veterans. aided in the development
OF agriculture, trained the volunteer IN
military service for the defense Of
state and country in the hour of dan
ger-all this in addition to its expendi-
lures for administration, for courts of
law, for legislation and for miscella-
neous benefits and necessities. So
worthy a work needs the cordial sup
port and the wise and critical over
sight of every good citizen. The pres
ervation of our revenues is essential to
the continuance of the work the state
is performing for the people.
The increase in the number of Grim
inals, the multiplication of the insane,
blind, feeble minded and other state
wards is an ever increasing draft upon
| the states income Any thoughtless
attack upon this revenue is an attack
upon the necessities of good govern
ment The wisdom of keeping appro-
priations within the receipts, except in
extraordinary emergencies, needs no
defense. Under these conditions no
appropriations for new institutions nor
any additions to old institutions, ex-
cept where absolutely necessary. should
be considered Heretofore have been
content in raising voice of warning
and in the exercise of persuasion be-
fore appropriations were made. This
year shall feel it my duty to exercise
the veto power in the maintenance Of
this policy.
Charities and Corrections.
L lie care VI OuI QGpCuuSut anu way
ward wards continues to be the great
est draft upon the states purse. Over
30 per cent of our expenditures are used
for this purpose. How far the state Is
supporting dependents who should be
supported in whole or in part by rela-
tives is subject of continued investiga-
ton and inquiry. Under the department
of charities and corrections this matter,
not easy of detection, is being syste-
matically studied and it is expected
that in the near future statement of
actual conditions can be authoritative
~ made. The humane work carried
on by the state must be freed from the
who shirk their responsibilities as par
ents and kin by accepting the support
and charity of the commonwealth.
Child Labor Laws.
The enforcement of proper regula-
tons for the preservation of the health
and the further protection of employ
ees in manufacturing establishments
is state policy. This state has thrown
restrictions around the employment Of
women and young children in our fac
tories and workshops. 1t insists that
the younger years of a child's life shall
be devoted to educational training and
physical development. Three years ago
the legislature of this state placed up
on the statute books d law regulating
the employment of children in manu-
featuring establishments. No consid-
GRAFTON has apparently been given to
the employment of children in mercan-
tile and other pursuits, subject
worthy of thought.
Our coIored Citizens.
The colored people of our state are
subjects for consideration and care, ed
ucationally and industrially. These
people, through no fault of their own,
have lacked opportunity enjoyed by
the whites. They gave this country
$50 years of unrequited toll. But with
less than half century of freedom
they have as race made marvellous
progress in savings, in the accumula-
ton of property, in mental development
and in adaptability to conditions not
altogether enviable.
This race is rapidly increasing in our
state. From 1890 to 1900 the white
population of New Jersey increased
29.8 per cent, while the colored popu
Iation increased 46.6 per cent Pru-
dence and patriotism demand recog-
milton of this fact For the present
and perhaps for some time to come op-
portunities to earn livelihood by the
colored people will be limited to such
vocations as the farm, the trades and
the household. 1t is important there
fore that they should have proper in
dustrial training. The School For Col
ored Youth at Bordentown was estab-
lished for this purpose. 1t is doing ex-
celIent work. 1t could do better work