The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-03-31
Continued from First Page.)

one. That hope has not been aban-
doned. But the question of adjourn
ment, aside from the personal con
venience of legislators, is not as i'm
p~ortant as whether legislation of great
public concern still remains to be en-
acted, which cannot be done with GER
tainty before a definite date.
For the legislation OF this session,
the Republican party will, and shoull
be, held responsible. Every promise
made in the platform of the party last
fall we are in honor bound to fulfill
A party can no more break it's word
with the people and ask further conf
dence thar an individual can expect to
be trusted who, without excuse, breaks
his contracts. A party must either do
the things promised or stand pilloriHd
in the public estimation as guilty Of
bad faith. The people are taking an
interest in politics. and in the doings
of their servants in these days. Tue
fact that they are is the most hopeful
sign of on. times.
I'm the last Republican State con
vention, after a contest over the plat
form of a kind unheard of in a pre-
NlO0S SOINSlilOis lllt party " NhACA
the present executive and the majority
in both branches of the Legislature
belong pledged itself solemnly to the
people of the State that it would 10,
among other things, the following:
The Republican Promises.
81. Enact a comprehensive civil serv-
ice law.
""2. Enact "A modification and simplt-
fication of the present primary law,
80. Enact a law providing for a com
mission, with ample jurisdiction and
powers to enable it to supervise and
regulate public utility corporations.
"a. Consolidate all departments and
commissions of a similar character.
80. Pass constitutional amendment
separating national and State from
municipal elections; authorizing thc
creation of assembly districts, and 70
organizing the judiciary.
1.-THE obligation to do all these things
is as sacred a trust upon the Legisla-
ture and executive branches of govern
ment as the methods obtaining in Q
republican form of government car
make it. The people of the State, Il
we fail in this duty, may justly holc
us responsible, and we must, in thai
event, stand without Excuse.
Would Sustain Confidence.
ut is suggested as an excuse for oul
failure to enact a public utilities lay
that no one is appearing before thu
Legislature urging its passage. VIII
should they? Have not The people {
right to rely upon our doing what w
/ pledged them we would, without feel
ing it necessary to impute to us BAG
faith by constantly asking us to do it
Another suggestion is the expense. Th'
present Board of Railroad Commission
ers will be abolished if the utilities Law
be enacted. The cost of the one neet
be but slightly. If any, in excess Of thu
other. rhe State Railroad Commits
sioners are asking for S45, 900 for thii
year, In my judgment, If the utilities
bill shall carry a 100000 appropriation
it will be sufficient until we can leari
more definitely. after experience. wha
the needs of such a board may be. l
is we'll enough to Begin with a mod
crate authorized expenditure.
s"Another suggestion made is tina
financial conditions are now differen
from the time when the party pledges
we're made. To me thai is a stronl
argument for the legislation. A prope
public utilities bill will strengthen ant
protect public corporations, sustain
public confidence and aid in financing
new enterprises. If there be any tim