Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1909-07-16
Tells the State Editors that
Members Have Flatly Vi
OIated Parties Pledges.
URGES ADOPTION OF
STATE AMENDMENTS
Wants a Big Vote on the
Proposition to Amend
the State Constitution.

Camp Fort, Sea G1rt, July 10.
Marked by speech by Governor
Fort in which he criticized the action
of the members of congress In enact
ing traiff bill "in fiat violation OF
the party's pledges to the people,
the first Governors Day gathering OF
1909 was held here yesterday when
the newspaper men of the-state were
the guests of the executive at lun-
cheon. There were all told about
two hundred that. accepted invita-
tions to the days outing, and be-
sides hearing the governor criticize
the action of the representatives at
Washington, they listened to him
urge that full vote be brought out
at the election for the constitutional
amendments to be held on Septem-
Der Ia next.
The editor visitors came from all
sections of the state, and upon their
arrival wandered all over the big
parade ground, watched the mem
bers OF the Fifth Regiment go
through drills, and took automobile
rides about Sea Girt In the cars be-
longing to Governor Fort, Adjutant
General Sadler and Colonel Col
gate.
A big tent was erected on the cot
tage grounds next to the house, and
luncheon was served to the visitors
early in the afternoon. 1t was af-
ter the luncheon that Governor
Fort in welcoming the guests took
occasion to talk to them about the
constitutional amendments, after
congratulating the men on the fine
newspapers he thinks are in New
Jersey.
The Governors Speech.
The governor said:
1T Is a great pleasure to meet the
newspaper representatives of the
state in this social way, and to for
get for the time the caustic or
friendly articles which have been
written by them. No public official
who does his duty will have anything
to fear from the press of New Jer-
sey. Taken as whole the news
papers of our state are remarkably
independent. They are not, with
very few exceptions, thick and thin
partisans. The old fashioned news.
paper that was political organ has
had its day and is fast passing of
} 49, scene of action. This is one OF
the hopeful signs of the times.
AS population increases the news
paper is to become more and more
necessary to the public life and bust
ness interests. 1t is the only sure
way of reaching the people. II q
public man of today gets fair report
of what he says In the news columns
of the press he cannot complain. II
Is the of more Importance to him tc
have this than to have you condemn
him in your editorials.
There are very few, If any, states
In the Union, where the newspapers
can open with such force upon the
fHbllc officials as in New Jersey
Here we have the great dailies OF
both New York and Philadelphia, af
well as all the press of this state tc
reckon with. 1t is rather remark.
able how kindly the newspapers are
to public officials, and no one appre-
ciates the fact more than l. 1t IL
doubtful If the newspaper man rec
ognizes to the full his power or use
fullness In public affairs. / an
ize the effect of his efforts upon the
feelings of the individual, or the
family of the official.
Congress Condemned.
National and state issues are now
so vigorously contested as to almost
threaten a division of parties. New
er before in the history of the ma
tion has there been such insistanee
for principles and good faith in party
matters. AS President Taft said the
other day at Yale, the time now II
when the party that does not keeI
Its platform pledges is sure to be rel
egated to the position of his males
ty's opposition" In plain words he
meant to say that such a party was
sure of defeat. For four months the
people have been witnessing an ex
hibition at Washington of party
trying to enact a tariff bill In fla
violation of it's pledges to the people
If the final result shall be law oi
that kind the next election will see
the tariff the chief issue. The ac-
ton of ten of the great senators oi
the Middle West-the very foremost
senators in congress-in breaking
away from the party and refusing tc
stand for the senate bill of theil
party is unique in the political his
tory of the country. 1t evidences
the spirit of independence that is
abroad and foretells the doom Of
caucus action and dictatorship in
matters OF pOntlcdl pOllcy.
Conditions are changing, and the
sense of individual responsibility
which is the basis of all political
power in a republic, is daily assert
ing itself. Man in our day is count
ing for everything, and the mass fol
nothing. The credit for this hopeful
condition is largely due to the ac.
tion of the press. The selfish mar
hld the powerful Influences behind
him, is not in control of the press
Our newspapers, almost without ex-
ception, are true to the people and
their well being. The schemer and
time server are mercilessly fiayed
by the American newspaper editor
That this is true is all the more
creditable to the representatives oi
the press when 1t is recalled that
the newspapr profession is not the
most remunerative of the learned
professions.
Viva La Editor.
The earnest prayer of all who love
their country is that the American
editor may continue to maintain his
biph Standard of sfudanandauf mill