Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-12-20

Woodbridge, Dec. 20.-Senator
George s. Silzer, in a clean-cut and
ringing speech before the Mems As
seciation In the Congregational
church here last night, firmly ex-
pressed himself as to where he
stands regarding the United States
senatorship and why he assumes the
attitude he does. He made it clear
that he stood for James MARITIME, not
SO much because it is James MARITIME
but because the people expressed
themselves as wanting him at the
last election.
He presented his views upon the
law to choose senators direct and
urged that 1t be adhered to at this
opportune time, for neglect in this
respect might cause 1t to become a
dead issue for years hereafter. He
declared himself firmly in favor OF
direct elections, such as the prima-
rjes afford and for the direct elee-
tion of United States senators, SO
that they can be reached by the peo-
pie when their services as public Of
hcials grow undesirable.
The senator took for his topic,
1.-The Political Power of the People,
and elaborated on the direct pri-
mary law. He said voters don't Of
ten realize tseir powers and In
cases, some of which have been of
vast Importance, they do not exer-
else them. Here he referred to the
small vote often polled on national
and state questions. 1t Is through
the future of the polls that men
will exercise their right, he = ex-
claimed, and manner in which they
do 1t shall determine what sort Off
cials they have In office "A crook in
politics will usually be found
crooked and dishonest in business
and a dishonest business man will
similarly be found crooked and cor
rupt In politics. he said. THE only
thing. 1t Is more easy to find crook
out In public life. Some men get to
the point where they cant say no.
Told About Bossism.
The speaker next referred to boss
asm and said 1t was amusing to
hear the manner In which the sub
asect was often handled. He repeat
cd from Uncle Joe Cannon in stating
II could not be the czar of this
house If you would not let me-" Just
so 1t is in similar cases, continued
the speaker, faulty men In Office can
usually be attrabuted to faulty COM
munities.
He referred briefly to his trip
about the state on the senatorial
school investigating committee, tell
Ing OF some corrupt dealings that
had been unearthed He claimed
there is laxity in the school sys-
tenn of the state and laimed cities
have permitted grafters 20 devote
school funds to their own ir terests.
Property has been purchased and
sold at advanced prices for school
purposes.
Among other matters he urged
voters to show an interest in public
utility legislation. He said that pain
lie remedy for healthfulness In hu-
man life and Just so In politics.
When matters go wrong and 1t COM
menees to pain the voters individ-
uaIly they usually raise up In arms
and voice their sentiments at the
polls. Questions of great import
ence, such as matters on public util-
tiles often come up at elections and
are given little consideration, but
when the gas light bill, the electric
light bill. the price of communication
tickets, etc, goes up the individual
commences TO kick, declared Mr..
SiIzer. In the trip about the state.
the senatorial committee found few.
II any, Investigations had been made
to ascertain the fitness of teachers
He urged the Mems Association,
which he was addressing, to indi-
yidually get Into politics and do the
best possible for the community, bat
as club or church, keep out of 1t.
The Income Tax.
Next the senator referred to the
income tax proposition as one of
Importance that should be taken in
hand by the people He said 1t was
of great Importance whether, when
an income tax was levied, it should
go to the United States or remain
right here in Jersey where there has
been reported g deficit in the treas
ury and It could be well used. The
conservation OF resources he adj
Judged another problem of vital Inn
portance to the voters, although the
average voter does not often think