Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-01-23

senatorship, 1t Is evident that he Is
dying hard. The members of sthe
same old gang" In the various sec
lions of the state have rallied to his
support and are putting up the hard
est fight they have made in many a
long year. These lieutenants Of
Smith are busy circulating petitions
among their henchmen to be pre-
scented to the legislature In an effort
to show that the people are in favor
of Smith being elected senator.
| While those who are looking for an
excuse to vote for Smith may hide
behind these petitions when they
cast their ballot, the great mass of
people know where they originate
and for what purpose they are being
circulated.
1t is not necessary for the op-
ponents of Smith to circulate petit
ions. The primary law was passed
for just that purpose. The law dis
tincty sets forth that any man who
desires to be a candidate, for United
States senator shall circulate a pc
tition prior to the primary and have
his name placed on the primary bal
lot in order that the people may ex-
| press their preference as to whom
they will have to represent them.
Smith had the opportunity last fall
to circulate such a petition and have
his name placed on the ballot so
that he could have gone before the
people and receive their endorse
ment, II he thinks they prefer him.
Smith ignored this opportunity, In
spite OF the fact that his party plat
form favors a direct choice Of United
States senator's by the people, and in
spite Of the fact that the primary
law. giving the people the privilege
to thus express their choice for
United States senator. was passed
largely by Democratic votes. If
Smith ignored the opportunity to
circulate a petition at the time when
the law provided for such action, any
move that he might make in that d.
rection at this late day is of little
consequence.
Having expressed their opinion at
The primary, the people are not ex-
to sign a petition now, ask
ng their representatives to do as
hey promised. A man who hires
mother to represent him does not
i've him instructions what to do and !
aen get up a petition urging him !
, do 1t. The people have hired the
AsaalAsnr~ *s@so to Txenton to make
avs and to select q United States
senator. They have told them whom
hey prefer for. senator and there is
40 reason why they should now get
up a petition urging their %represen-
aM.An
to do as they have been told.
Just as an employer will discharge a
man who refuses to obey orders, SO
will the people turn down a candi-
date who has ignored their inst1uc-
lions during his term.
But Smith is not relying entirely
on these petitions to win his election.
He has engaged ten rooms at the
Trenton House at Trenton, and to-
day he takes personal charge of his
campaign at the state capital. There
will be lavish entertainment at his
expense and as 1t has been expressed,
=
money will flow like water" Thus,
Legislators who desire to have q
good time will have their wish graft
| fed IL they care to place themselves
under obligations to this Essex boss.
News from Trenton, from Monday
on until the senatorial fight Is set
tied, will be extremely interesting
to the people back home" Know
Ing the sentiment throughout the
state the legislators who partake Of
these festivities will make them
selves liable to suspicion. 1t has
been the custom in the past, in many
states, for millionaires to buy their
way to the United States senate. The
people OF New Jersey will take good
care that such a disgrace does not
fall upon their state at this time.
The direct primary law was passed
In order that the people may have q
voics In selecting their own United