The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-04
WHAT WILL JUDGE FORT SAY TONIGHT? DO WE WANT A FRANK
SETTLEMENT OE LHE LLouoR pRORLEMa

SETTLEMENT OF THE LIQUOR PROBLEM?
Those political managers who thought that the excise ques-
ton could be evaded have another guess coming. Both Guber-
material candidates must face the issue squarely or take the
consequences. Private assurances won't do, and semi-of6cial
hints are unsatisfactory. The candidates ar expected to an
|swer in plain English these queries:
Are you in favor of the Bishops Lawl
Will you aid, SO far a $ you properly may, in its en-
forcementa
Are you in favor of a law permitting each municipality to
determine and regulate, absolutely, the hours and restrictions
under which liquor may be sold, if at aIla
There is nothing intricate Or involved in these queries
nothing requiring exhaustive study of statutes, precedents o re-
ports. Outside of candidates for Office there isn't a man in
the State who couldn't answer intenigibly ofhand AN three
questions.
Is it true, after all. that this hullabaloo for a n open Sun
day is only the noise of some law-breaking sa1oonkeepers beating
on empty beer barrels with their heels Trenton True American,
If the only persons agitating the Sunday question were those
connected with the liquor business it would peter out in short
order. To imagine that such is the case demonstrates a mis-
understanding of the real issue involved. 1t comes down to-
this:
Do we believe in a government of law and order1
If we do, why put on the statute books laws that we don't
enforce and thus open the door to all kinds of blackma1 and
hypocrisy? Sunday selling i now common in Jersey City,
Hoboken, Paterson, Atlantic City, and a few other places, and
there is no likelihood of any indictments being found against
those who are violating the laws. It will be so in Newark and
Orange when Frank Sommers term as Sheriff expires, as it was
before he became Sheriff.
WY cn We De III II SlIdlBntorWaFd! why hUt
put it up to each community So that whatever law is laid
down will have local sentiment behind its enforcement2
Respect for the law should be every where incu1cated-in the
press, the pulpit, the school and the home. To make such a
propaganda successful there must be care, skill and conscientious
work in drafting our laws so that they shall insure justice,
equal rights and order. And there must be impartial and con-
sistent enforcement of them. The moment that we allow our
officials 10 say what laws shall or shall not be enforced we
put ourselves in an indefensble position. For communities to
wink at, tolerate or encourage wholesale and continual viola
tons of any law is to foster general lawlessness and anarchys
What the brewers Or saloonkeepers want or don't want ism t
of great consequence to the average American who wishes to be
honest with himself and with his neghbors.
campaign for well-nigh twenty years has given to the STAR
his forecast of plura1nies by counties on the Governorship. He
is a Republican, but his predictions have rarely been much out
of the way. a He is in close touch with the Republican leaders
all over the State and few met are more familiar with the
conditions than he is. He has invariably voted the straight
Republican ticket, but this year is likely to do some pasting.
Possibly his present frame of mind has influenced his Judgment.
Having said SO much by way of preface the figures are here
with given for what they're worth because, unfortunately, the
prognosicator will not permit his lame to be used: