Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-12-16
FORDYCE FOR
THE PRIMARY
Writes Strong Letter Accept
ing League Vice Presidency.

Newark, Dec. 16:-Alexander r.
Fordyce, Jr.. formerly of Middlesex
county, and who was a candidate for
the nomination for state senator
here, opposing "Dory" Strong's ma
chine, has written a letter to Julian
A. Gregory, accepting the vice presi-
dency of the Direct Primary League
which was formed in Newark a few
nights ago for the purpose of uphold
ing and Strengthening the direct pri-
mary law. Mr.. Fordyce's letter Is
as follows:
/ hereby accept the vice-presidency
of the Bi-Partizan Direct Primary
League and beg to advise you of my
views on the situation.
In the first place, this Is absolute
ly a bipartisan organization; there
fore l al consistently accept this
office, although l am a Republican.
In the next place this contest is to
be entirely for, the enforcement of
the great principle of the election of
United States senators directly by
the people.
Did ! believe that this is simply a
fight against former Senator Smith
L SHtutu nave uotuibs "hdlcfCI "
do with 1t, that being a matter con-
corning the Democratic party only.
l say that had he run as a candidate
at the primaries and received a ma
jority vote, / should consider his
claims just as binding as those Of
Mr.. MARITIME.
In my opinion, this is a Republi-
can as well as a Democratic issue,
since Republican candidates took ad-
vantage of the statute as well as
Democrats, and former Governor
Stokes, having received a majority
vote of his party, Is entitled to the
Republican caucus nomination, just
the same as James E. MARITIME is en-
titled to it, having received the Dem
ocratic popular Endorsement.
The statement that this statute is
a joke does not appeal to any think
ing man. 1t did not to the 48,45S
citizens who voted for Mr.. MARITIME,
nor to the 39,781 who voted for for
mer Governor Stokes. Furthermore,
neither did former Governor Muir
ply, chairman of the State Republi-
can Committee, member of the ma
tional committee and prominent
candidate for vice-president in 1908;
nor did former Governor Stokes, nor
did Hon. Charles N. Fowler, member
of congress from the Fifth District,
regard it SO cheaply.
While the United States constitu-
ton prescribes the in which
United States senators shall be elect
ed, and while it is entirely within
the legal rights of the members Of
the legislature to elect whom they
see fit, nevertheless their failure to
elect the candidate who received the
faith with the people, al we'll as a
breach of a party principle absolute
ly accepted by both parties.
/ go into this entirely upon a mat
ter of principle, as it is my convic-
ton that every citizen owes it not
only to himself, but to the state, to
take a bold stand upon this question.
| purpose to do all / a to see that
the will of the people as expressed
at the election Is fulfilled.
The observance of this law at this
time means its observance hereafter,
as it's non-obseryance now will mean
its future notification.
Permit me to thank the members
of the league for the opportunity
they have given me to serve a just
cause and support a loyal and cour-
ageous governor, who by his stand
has done so much to re-establish rep
government in the state.
Very truly yours,
ALEXANDER FORDYCE, JR.