New-York tribune., 1909-05-28
FORT ATTACKS BOSSES
BLOCK REFORM. HE SAYS.
GOuerR0r .4lso Tells NeIc Idea Men
That Special Interests Dominate.

In a calm and disrassiorate speech Al the New
Idea dinner in Newark last night Governor Fort
Threw down the gauntlet 20 the bosses VINO for
wears have nominated candidates for Office on plat
forIns pledsins specific reforms. only 10 repudiate
these platforms after Election Day. and asserted
that untl the end of his term his one effort would
be TO carr o1t the platform on which ne was
elected by appealing directly TO the people OF the
state.
almost a Thousand New Idea followers from Es-
sex. Hudson and Passaic counties were cFoW0ed
into the Kruger Auditorium, where the dinner
was held and a large number of women were in
the galleries. When Governor Fort arose to speak
the audience Jumped 10 its feet and began to cheer
wildly. and II was many minutes before he could
Enake-nirnself heard
The Governor said:
The curse Of modern political conditions is po.
liteal bossism- We must have parties ana we @ mus
have leadership. but neither OF these necessary
nsIion 10 the overt nrow OF popular rights Or
gsnizations also must exist TO carry on party GOV
favor Of organized political movements than /
But there i a wrong impression abroad as 10 the
duty OF what we call political organizations. They
are simply TO manage the campaign. not 10 control
The Thing TO be most criticised al Trenton in
our time is the dictauon by men who control me ne,
they have a right demand Of the representatives.
approve This would not he 50 bad if il were not
10 favor any measure that certain interests
The evil OF the present system Is in the support
IS never eod llv these men this that meas
ure fer the benefit Of the state, but rather does
this or that corporate interest favor or oppose IL
TIE state convention which nominated me re
publican candidate for Governor in lS11-the last
authoritative state body II the paTty-deciared lot
the following things.
That franchises Of corporations should bear JlS,l
Of burden OF taxation as compared Will
corporate and individual property ..., e.,a
The enactment OF d comprehensive Civil service
The enactment Of law for expression TO b. be
given authoritative way BY lle voters uL '-iO
state fCT their choice for United states Seia'0i'
For reform in the jury system.
For an Improvement in cur primary system
For a commission with ample JuIiSulcIioil "LN
rover TO enable il regulate public utlll'y cor
Torsticns effectively and authOrItatlNtlN ,
consolidation OF defdr lileliS anu ''-li
,r1esjons Of similar character in the state
V2ur TWO a these things have feen =" eilfllFFe'
and born these opposed "felalE anu -
ogoIlslv hv practically all the men caItlnE IIe-i
selves leaders of the party in The STATE -
promises Bad faith spells defeat with me Pt-fLz
The rcSiri,.r which the Governor has IaSe StIite
his election simply been - support lht -
Trblican platforn- upon which he was elected an
to keen faith with the people II All lie fis'-@V3
which he made
The dinner the opening OF the calnialSH -
,bat wing Of the Republican party led by former
Senator Everett Colby and pledged to limited iran
c,ises equal taxation and other reforms Al 'he
s-,esrs' table with the toastmaster. William Ell
loues MORGAN we're Governor Fort. Representative
IRVINE Tenroot Of Wisconsin former Mayor Marx
N Fasaa Of Jersey City. former Senator Everett
CoIfv former Sheriff Frank II. Sonipler. Borden
D Whiting Herman 3. Walker and George l.
Record. Of Hudson