The Penn's Grove record., 1909-07-23
Gov. Forts Address To Editors

Gov. Forts Address To Editors
Governor Fort is spending the sum
mel at Sea Girt, the summer capitol
where the State militia spend some
time in practice. He invited the news
paper publishers TO lunch with him OIL
Thursday OF last week and about !
hundred accepted the invitation. AT
ter the luncheon he made a speech anu
al the sentiments therein are not OrthO
dox party sentiment and sayors mucl
OF democracy they are interesting.
The Governor said;
sit is a great pleasure 10 meet the news
paper representatives of the State il
this social way, and to forget for the
time the caustic OF friendly articles which
have been written by them. Nopublic
official who does his duty will haveany.
thing to fear from the press of New
Jersey. Taken as a whole the news.
papers Of our State are remarkably in
dependent.
There are very few, if any, States in
the Union where the newspapers can
open with such force upon public off.
cials as in New Jersey. Here we have
the great dailies of both New York and
Philadelphia, as well as all the press of
this State, to reckon with. 1t is rather
remarkable how kindly the newspapers
are to public officials, and no one ap-
preclates the fact more than l.. 1t is
doubtful if the newspaper man recog-
nizes to The full his power or usefulness
III pubic affairs. l am quite sure he
does not alW avs realize the effect OF his
efforts upon the feelings of the lndiyid-
u OF the family Of the official.
National and State issues are now so
vigorously contested as to almost
threaten a division Of parties. Never
before in the history Of the nation las
there been such insistence for plincl-
pies aid good faith in party matters.
AS President Taft said the other day
at Yale, the lille now is when the par
ty That does not keep its platform pied
ges is U l to be relegated to the posi-
ton OF his majesty IS opposition. Inplain
words he meant to say that such a
party was SUR of defeat.
For four months tue people have lpeen
witnessing an exhibition at Washing.
ton OF a party trying TO enact a tariff
bill in fiat violation of its pledges to
the people. Ii The final result shall be
a law of thai kind the next election will
see The tariff the chief issue. The ac,
ton OF ten Of the great Senators of the
middle west, the very foremost Sena.
tons in Congress, in breaking away
from the party and refusing to stand
for the senate bill of their party is unique
in the political history of the
try. 1t evidences the spirit of indie
pendence that is abroad and fortells the
doom Of caucus action and dictatorship
III matters of political policy.
Conditions are changing, and the
sense OF. individual responsibility, which
is the basis of all political power in a
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 be-
hind him are 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 fayed by
the American newspaper editor.
The earnest prayer of all who love
their country is that the American ed
it0r may continue to maintain his high
standard Of independent political act
ion, and to aid only in the promotion of
the good in Government. If the domin-
alton Of the so-ca.led political boss in
politics, If the corrupt use of elections,
II corporate power and the power of
selfish interests is to be overthrown. it
only be done thru an independent.
uncorruptible and courageous press.
May l take this occasion to urge all
of you to make an earnest effort TO get
out the vote of the State on the pend
ing amendment to the Constitution.
Please bring to the conscience Of the
voter the great importance of amending
the fundamental law of the State, the
charter Of our Government. When we