New-York tribune., 1907-09-20
FOR GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY.

FOR GOFERNOR OF NEW JERSE1-
The nomination of Justice Fort by the New
Jersey Republican convention for Governor ol
that state was pretty generally expected anu
was repeatedly forecast in our columns II was
not assured however. until the vote was actuallS
taken in the convention. For the nomination
was made bv the convention in fact as wen do
in form OF that there can be reasonable
doubt The canvaSses made in behaIf OF MI
Sommer Mr.. Lewis. Justice Pitney ana otherS
and the support given 10 those candidates were
sincere The work Of the convention was not
cut and dried in advance by clique of bosses
and then put through by the agency of wen
oiled machine. In those respects yesterday
convention presented striking contrast to that
of two dayS before in the same place. and us
candidate has a far different moral standing
from that occupied by the eminently Respectable
nominee of Messrs. Smith and Davis
OF the distinguished fitness Of Justice Fort
for the place for which be has been named ana
To which we believe he viii be handsomely
elected no question will be raised by any intel
ligent and fairminded man. His engaging per
sonal characteristics. his unbIemished public and
private reputation. his eminent standing III his
profession his great services on the supreme
bench and his long standing familiarity with
state affairs all denote in him 4 candidate
whose auppal is 10 the best elements of citizen
shin OF the regularity of his RepUblicanism
there has never been shadow Of doubt, Whlle
his devotion to those causes Of reform which
transcend mere party lines has been amply at-
tested by his vigorous work for law and order
especially in Monmouth and Hudson counties
Before he took hold Of matters there people had
been saying for years that the gamblers ring
was too strong 10 he broken. Nobody ever said
that after Justice Fort had taken hold. More
-,i nffn tod
effected not through any new and extraordinary
legislation. but simply through a brave and I'M
Swerving enforcement of existing laws
We have said that we believe that Justice Fort
will he handsomely elected. He certainly Will
be if he receives the full and loyal support Of the
Republican party, and to such support he is un-
ques1ionably entitled. Regulars and New Idea
men alike can vote for him without abandoning
any of the principles for which they have con
tended. Indeed. il is difficult to see how any
on either side can refuse 10 support him. The
one single. solitary thing which has been urged
against him is worth recalling to attention.
More than twenty years ago somebody because
Of some personal grievance gITldge made an
appeal 10 the supreme Court To have him dis
barred The Supreme Court, which has always
shown itself sensitive and jealous Of the honor of
the bar received the appeal. considered it with
judicial care iguratively-thr IL into
the waste paper basket. regarding il as Tln-
worthy Of answer or action. If any one now
reckOns that incident damnng To Justice Fort.
why each 30 his own taste. Most people will
regard il as greatly TO his credit-So much so
that we have no doubt his friends Will be far
more ready To exploit it than his enemies.