Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-12-21


James E. MARITIME for United States
senator.
Score one for Middlesex.
Senator Silzer takes the side OF
the people where he has always
Lstood in fights of this kind. He has
proven himself a man worthy of the
confidence which the voters OF Mid
dlesex county has placed in him.
The senator sees in the present
struggle the fight for principle. He
declares that it makes no difference
whether 1T is Smith, Jones or Mar
tine, the principle is the same. He
wants the people to have the right
to say who shall be their representa-
tive In the upper house of congress,
and until a constitutional amend
ment is passed creating a direct vote
for United States senators he be-
lieves that the primary offers the OPP
portunity for the people TO express
themselves.
Senator Silzer-was active in draw
ing up the bill which became a law,
making 1t possible for anyone to
have their names placed on the
primary ballot so that the people
might expires their choice. The SEN
ator acted in good faith in this mat
ter. He saw no attempt to evade the
| constitution. He was simply en-
deavoring to bring the government
closer to the people.
After such a record as he has
made In the legislature there was
little doubt how Senator Silzer stood
in regard to the issue nov uppermost
In the minds of the people. But the
fact that he was not taking the ac-
tive part in the fight for representa-
tive government that was to be ex-
peeted of him, caused some concern.
| Senator Silzer has now come out in
the most direct manner and insists
that the peoples choice for United
States senator shall be elected by the
incoming legislature. The senator is
a good fighter and his assistance on
the stump in beha1f.of the people
will be a valuable aid to the govern
or-elect, who is endeavoring to com
pei his party to live up to the pledges
made to the voters prior to election.
But Middlesex is not doing all she
can to further popular government
with only Senator Silzer in the open
in this matter. There are three as
semblymen from this county whose
votes will have a very important
bearing at the outcome.
Whether we look at 1t as a matter
of principle, or as a matter between
the people and the corporations, It
is all the same. The principle of d.
4 u
rect primary is one that the Demo-
cratic party has adopted from the
very beginning. 1t was q Democrat
ic assembly that passed the bill
making it possible for Mr.. MARITIME tc
go before the people for their In
dorsement for United States senator.
democratic platforms have declared
in favor of such a law and Democrat
ic orators have argued In favor of 1t.
AS a matter of principle, the direct
primary is nov at stake.
1t is recognized by all that IL MIR.
MARITIME Is turned down by ne Iegis'
~lature, even though he received but
a small portion Of the total Demo
cratic vote of the state at the prim-
airy, the next time a United States
senator Is to be voted for at a primary
the matter will be ignored entirely
on the ground that popular endorse
ment did Mr.. MARITIME no good. On
the other hand, should Mr.. Martina
be elected to the United States SEN
ate the primary law becomes fixed
permanently in New Jersey and the
next time an appeal is made to the
people to express their preference for
United States senator, all those who
, have ambitions in that direction viii
avail themselves of the opportunity
to go before the people and the yot,
ers will know that the choice of thf
majority will be the successful car
didate. The voters will, therefore
take more interest and villa be SURF
l I