Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-01-21
RECORDS CONTROL NOW ASSUMING
A SINISTER ASPECT
Continued from First Pagc.)

Views have lot attained wide circulation. They have been confined pdni-
pany to his newspaper.
But they ire now Of State importance. He was one Of the Republican
editors at the secret conference. His paper carefully omitted all reference to
the fact His prominence at the session, however, could not be suppressed.
AT one stage of the meeting Mr.. Dear took the floor and thus expressed
himself: "he recent victory al o a Democratic victory. 1t IA the vie.
tory Of the independent and progressive voter.
1.-The fruits of the victory, therefore, should not go to the Democrats.
They may pass our bills, but they should not be entrusted with their prcpara-
ton. We must see that Democratic promises are kept by preparing the meas
ures in advance. Then W e must insist upon their passage
"These bills must bear the a m of Governor Wilson, so that the credit
for their enactmen may not be assumed by the Democrats"
Not Approved by Democrats.
A former Hudson Assemblyman was asked his view concerning Nh. BEARS
plan. He characterized it as a good plan for the "New Ideates," but n that
would not commend itself to Democratic approval.
mens. All bills introduced must hear the name II a member Of the Legislative
body, with the single exception of measures introduced by a committee. These
bear the name of the committee, usually the chairman's name.
"Ths, of course, is mere form. His uterances are open to mor serious
objection. In all my years of legislative experience cannot recall a period
when the legislative body permitted Its powers to be usuped by others.
"Does Mr.. Dear think that the Democratic members of the present LeGsla-
tue will sit down passivey and permit George Record to prepare bills, the
Jersey Journal to exploit them, the Governor to approve them, after which the
Legislature will submissivey pass them?
"Hc is a Republican and, of course, has 10 concern for the Democratic
party, but if he stays in the game a little while he will find that Record and
he are not running the affairs of State; at least they are lot going to be per-
mited to shape the destnes of a party with which they are at war"
An Essex Assemblyman had this to say;
81 am a little new in politics, but have my views. am a Democrat
took an oath to perform my duty properly and cannot see a compliance
with that duty in a course which makes a mere dummy of me.
coercion. / have been in politics a short time. but it has been long enough to
enable m e to get in touch with public opinion concerning George L. Record. He
may advise the Governor. but he cannot direct me"
What puzzles most of the people here is the questionable judgment of the
Governor and his adviser in holding such a conference out of the State, and
keeping quiet about it.
During the campaign and since his election Governor Wilson spoke re-
peatedly of the necessity for playing the game "n the open" and shedding the
light Of publicity upon all processes of lawmaking.
Why he departed from this doctrine so suddenly and so violently may be
conjectured, but not expressed. That he is showing garing inconsistency
cannot be denied. That he committed a grave error is the general belief.
On one memorable occasion Governor Wilson said there as mo split in
the party" and again, "ou can hear the sound of the process of qualification
going O all over the State"
The Governor did not designate the party, Possibly he referred to a new
party with George L. Record as the dominant spirit "The sound of soltdihca-
don" is very manifest now, and is not IN encouraging sound to the Governor
and his adviser.
The public is expecant Strange doctrines are looked for. An errhc
Executive course is predicted. Meanwhile the process of qualification" il
going n. In Hudson County this process was openly evident. Men were
coming together III had previously been apart on party policy,
There was unanimiy of belief and it vas expressed in this manner:
Governor Wilson has afrOnted the Legislature. He has spurned public opn.
ion, but above all he has sighted Hudson Democracy in a mann which must
and will be resented. He may take George Record as a adviser, but he ought
to have the decency to refrain from publicly Haunting that action"