Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-10-18
MR. RECORD ASKS
DR. WILSON MANY
POINTED QUERIES

agency, like a court. Do you favor
this?
10. There should be a drastic cor
rupt practises act, forbldding all po-
litical expenditures except for the
objects named in the act. with drastic
penalties for the violation of the act;
prohibiting the employment OF more
than two workers or watchers at the
polls on primary or election day rep
r~esenting any one party, or group or
candidates.; prohibiting the hiring Of
vehicles for transportating voters; linn
iting the amount to be expended by
candidates; prohibiting political con-
tributions by corporations. Do you
favor this?
II. That every industry employing
workmen shall be compelled to bear
the expense of all injuries to en-
ployees which happen in the industry
without the wilful negligence of such
employees. Do you favor this?
II. Does the Democratic platform de-
clare for the choice of candidates for
all elective offices by the direct vote
system?
The Boss system.
IntTP IS ONE Olltf SupJtIl, IL ho
ture and extent of the boss system in
our politics, which / desire to discuss
as briefly as / can, as a necessary
foundation for some further questions
which I request you to answer. My
idea Of the boss system is that there
is a virtual partnership between the
great public service corporations, such
as the railroad, trolley and gas COM
panies, and the principal political lead
ers of both party organizations; that
the terms of his partnership, express
or implied, are these: the corporations
in question receive from public Off
Gals franchises, privileges and adj
vantages, such as street railway, gas
and water supply franchises, exemp-
.tions in whole or in part from the CONF
mon BURDEN Of taxations the power to
determine for themselves the standard
or 7uuafity of service they are to rem
der, and the rates they are 10 charge
therefor; hat candidates are nomi-
mated by the bosses in both parties who
can be trusted to do nothing If elected
to interfere with these privileges, when
granted, and who will help to grant new
ones when needed, or who, ever If they
are forced by public opinion to vote
right, or wish to do so. will at least do
nothing TO overthrow the political power
of the boss; h a these privileges enable
these favored corporations to exact
huge sums from the public in excessive
rates and exemptions from taxation;
that in return for these privileges the
corporation managers grant certain ia
vors to the party leaders or bosses;
that these favors take the form of either
direct none payments, or heavy con-
tributions for campaign expenses, or
opportunities for safe and profitable
business ventures, according to the
standard of morality of the particular
boss or leader.
Comparative Figures.
Consider some illustrations. The troll
ley company in Jersey City obtained
from our public officers extremely valu-
able franchise in our streets. The value
of these franchises may be seen by
comparing Jersey City with Toronto.
Jersey City gets for these privileges
not exceeding 100000 a year; Toronto,
a much small city, gets some $500, 600
a year. Robert Davis, one of your
principal hackers in the State conven-
ton. was then as now, the Democratic
boss of Hudson county, Influential with
officials and powerful in controlling