The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-03-02
Answering Fort, Refers
to Days Of New Po-
litiCal Fashions. "
"HALF FRIENDS, HALF
ENEMIES OF THE PARTY
So Characterizes Opposition to
the State Committees Leg.
! isIative Body.
RlDIcULES TEMPEST s.
IN A TEAPOT
New Jersey Republican Chair
man Comes Out with Tart An !.
swer TO Governor.


Characterizins the criticisms Of the
committee on legislation of the Repuls5
licai State Committee. recently S1a<
pointed to keep a watch on legislafio11s
as tempest in teapot, and scoring
those who pronounce it unwelconle as
the Republican party's half friendA.
half enemies former Governor Frank
lin Murphy, chairman OF the State cofil-
rnittee, today issued statement in re-
ply to Governor Forts recent protest
against the committees interference III
,lnatters in Trenton.
Il have not heard that the action ofls
the committee was criticised by sanx
genuine Republican, Governor Mtir-
ply says
'Fhe State committee has never ret
,ntcrfered improperly ir any iexisla-
tior. and 1t probably never uill. BUT 1t
has never hesitated 10 conpael those II
authority - 10 What 1t believed to be 4
for the hest Interests cf the party aAa
the people. and 80 long ~ ! am ehait-
man Of tho state committees II WIN
! never cease to do this.r
| The statement MAS Inspired. the for.
ner Governor goes on to say, by
cisrns of the committee. An explana-
tion,-which had been made by former
| Governor Stokes of the purposes ara
| aims OF the committee, he says, should
nave sufficed. ~
| But IN these days Of new political
| fashions-whlcn change as frequently
F. as women's bonnets-it has come to be
|
Mr.. Murphy, ''tnat the Republican,
slate committee shouiu exercise It's
ngnt to advise with ttepublcan mem-
ovrs OF the Legislature
/ statement by FrnnkIin Murphy.
t'oilowins is chairman Murph5s
! statement.
10 Inc Republicans OF New Jersey:
Il md, on returning from an abb
| sence OF ten days in the south, that
I lne actlon of the State committee, at
ITS meeting ON February 10. in consti-
tuting its executive COMMITTEES COM
mite OH legislation has caused some
criticism in the State on the part Of the
Democrats and those, who, for their
own ends, desire to be regarded some
| times as Independents, and sometimes
| heard that the action of the commit
tee has been criticised by any genuine
! Republican, who believes in his party.
and who believes that the best inter-
! ests of the people are safest when con-
I rided to it's charge.
i What the committee did, and the
reason for its action, was explained in
4 the statement made by Governor
Stokes, which was sufficient for those
! who desire information, and should
| have been sufficient for every one. But,
in these days of new political fashions,
| which change as frequently as womer's
I bonnets, it has come to be thought I'M
proper, apparently, that the Republican
State Committee, which cares for the
well-being and preservation of the Re-
publican party. should exercise its
right to advise with the Republican
members of the Legislature concerning
those measures which are of interest To
the party, and not to the party alonss
nut, as Republicans believe. to the
people as whole.
This tempest in a teapot has
created SO much fuss that ! have been
requested to make statement OF the
situation. lest the action of the COM
mittee should be misunderstood. and It
should be regarded as assuming the
functions both OF the Governor and the
Legislature lit is because it has been
charged with doing this that a states
ment is justified,
The duty of the State Committee s4
TO issue calls for conventions. TO pres
pare the platforms OF the party SUBJ
ject to the approval Of the conVaa ai.ons.
Ito conduct the State canpatsf.s for
Governor and for President ana 10 ad
wise with the leaders of the party In
the various counties of the State, with
the active members of the party in, the
| Legislature, upon measures affecting
/ the people of the State. and it has even
at times ventured to make suggestions
to the Governor Of the State-and this
without offense. 1t serves the political
ambition of no man. 1t holds in charge
the political destiny of no man y
cares for the interest Of the Republican,