The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-07-20
Newsnaner Day at Sea Grit.

| Thursday was newspaper day at Ses
tiirt, when all the newspaper men in New
JERSEY were the guests of Governor Fort
They began to reach camp about ter
O'Clock and when roll sounded for lunch
at one o'clock, there were about two hun
bred to sit down. BY the side of the Gov
ernor was John Cheesman, the veteran
newspaper man of Bridgeton.
After partaking of very fine lunch th'
guests were addressed by Governor Fort
who said:
at is great pleasure to meet the news
paper representatives of the State in this
social way, and to forget 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 feal
from the press of New Jersey. Taken as q
whole, the newspapers of our state are re-
markably independent.
s'There are very few, if any, States In
the Union where the newspapers can open
with such force upon public officials as In
New Jersey. Here we have the great
daiies Of both New York and Philadel-
phia, as well as all the press of the State,
to reckon with. 1t is rather remarkable
how kindly the newspapers are to public
officials, and no one appreciates the fact
more than l. 1t is doubtful If the news
paper man recognizes to the full his power
or usefulness In public affairs. am quite
sure he does not always realize the effect
upon the feelings of the individual or the
family of the official.
National and state issues are now so
vigorously contested as 10 almost threaten
division of parties Never before in the
history of the nation has there been such
\ - n+o 4or r,rir ofx nj oo
party matters.
"As President Taft said the other day at
Yale, the time now is when the party that
does not keep its platform pledges is sure
to be relegated to the position of his ma
iesty's opposition. In plain words, he
meant to say that such party was sure of
defeat.
"For four months the people have been
witnessing an exhibition at Washington
of party trying to enact tariff bill In
fiat violation of its pledges to the people.
If the final result shall be law of that
kind the next election will see the tariff
the chief issue. The action of ten of the
great Senators of the Middle West-the
very foremost Senators in Congress-in
breaking away from the party and refus-
ing to stand for the Senate bill of their
party Is unique in the political history of
the country 1t evidences the spirit of in
dependence that is abroad and foretells
doom of caucus action and dictatorship in
matters of political policy.
Conditions are changing, and the sense
of individual responsibility, which is the
basis of all political power in Republic,
is daily asserting itself. Man in our day
is counting for everything, and the mass
for nothing. The selfish man and the
powerful influences behind him are not in
control with the press. Our newspapers,
almost without exception, are true to the
people and their well being. The schemer
and time-server are mercilessly fayed by
the American newspaper editor.
THE earnest prayer OF all who love
their country is that the American editor
may continue to maintain his high stand
ard of independent political action, and to
aid only in the promotion of the good in
government If the domination of the
so-called political boss in politics, if the
corrupt use of elections, If corporate
power and the power of selfish interests
is to be overthrow, it can only be done
through an independent, incorruptible
and courageous press.
MAY take this occasion to urge all of
you to make an earnest effort to get out
the vote of the state on the pending
amendments to the constitution. Please
bring to the conscience of the voter the
great Importance of amending the founda-
mental law of the state-the charter of
our government When we elect an Off
cial it is for a term of one or more years:
but a constitution lasts sometimes for a
century or more 1t is astonishing that
men in Republic will give SO little heed
to the changes in their governmental
chart, and take so much interest in the
election of their officers. No election of
any official is of equal Importance with
constitutional principles, and the pro-
posed changes of that kind should awaken
the interest of all good citizens.
cit has been delightful to have you all
here to day. 1t is not often that we can
thus be together and have the personal
touch that gives US all better knowledge
of one another. For your generous con-
sideration of the shortcomings of the
present Governor, and for your presence
here to-day, thank you. That you may
all have success and good health and
abundant happiness-even If you do not
acquire riches-is my earnest hope"