Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1911-12-14
POLITICS AND COMMENT FROM
THE STATE CAPITOL.


message to Congress last week, that
all corporations doing an interstate
and foreign business be chartered I'M
der federal law. The reason for
the opposition is that New Jersey will
lose several million dollars a year if
the recommendation be carried out and
the state may be driven to the neces-
sity of imposing a direct tax, some
thing New Jersey has not had in
many years.
The exact sum that the state would
lose annually can only be estimated,
but that it would be very large sum
is indicated by the fact that the total
amount OF money collected by the
state from miscellaneous corporations
this year was $2,618,213, and there
was also received for filing fees the
added sum of $13S,866, making to-
4 tai of $2,757,079 These corporations
are manufacturing and other con-
Germs, exclusive of the railways and
Public Utilities Corporations, and vir-
tually all of them do an interstate
business. 1t will be seen, therefore,
if President Taft's recommendation
should be made into law by Congress,
that doubtless nearly all the corpora
tions chartered in this State would
take out federal charters, and this
state would lose this immense bust
ness. State Comptroller Edwards
estimates that the receipts from all
sources of money used directly for
state purposes, for 1912, will be S.
100000 of which the chief item is the
tax on these corporations. This lat
ter tax, together with the filing fees
has been averaging for several years
in the neighborhood of 100000 an
nually, so that the part it plays in
conducting the state government is
readily apparent. There is consider
able speculation, in view of this sit
uation, of how President Taft's chan
ces of getting the New Jersey dele
gates to the National Republican con-
vention for his denomination will be
affected, if he shall insist on putting
through his recommendation with
reference to these corporations.
sAsa
There is considerable political gos-
sip around the State House, as to how
the Geran election law may be amend
ed by the new Legislature 1t is very
probable that the Republicans, having
control of both houses, will modify
the law to some extent, although the
State Republican leaders say the es-
sential features of the measure will
be left intact. Whatever changes are
made by the Republicans will be in
line with the state platform decIara-
ton that the law should be simplified
so as to make voting easier.
WifHo15f 6o1.hf hp low yxrii1 fo
changed in its personal registration
provision, so that commercial travel
ers and others who are compelled to
s be away from home on registration
days may not lose their votes. The
Republican lawmakers will likely give
attention to the criticism of the law
made by the Civil Service Commission
in it's annual report. This commits
sion wants the law changed so as to
prohibit the appointment of a man
to the election boards who has re-
fused to take the examination pre-
scribed or who has failed to pass the
examination. 1t is probable that the
law may be amended to meet this
suggestion. 1t is certain that the
Democrats, with Governor Wilson at
their head, will insist that the law in
all it's essential provisions shall be
retained on the statute books
According to rumors in state polit-
ical circles, former United States Sen
ator, James Smith, Jr., will again be
candidate for the United States SEN
ate to succeed Senator Frank o
Briggs and the rumors are leading to
lot or IN int 40
complications that may ensue if SEN
ator Smith does enter the Senatorial
race. Some Democrats believe that
it former Senator Smith does aspire
to go to the Senate again, he will in
all probability, be found supporting
Governor Wilson for President next
year. AS astonishing as this state
ment may sound, there are some
Democrats who point out that such a
situation is likely to come to pass
AS these Democrats see the situation
former Senator Smith, if he shall de-
eide to be Senator again, will win the
popular expression at the primary
next September. Then he will have
to get the Legislature to elect him
and it will be necessary for him tC
have Wilson with him to get that
Legislature. Another interesting
phase of the situation, as seen by
these Democrats, is that if Mr.. Smith
shall become the Democratic Senator
ial choice, it will be Governor Will
sons duty according to the precedent
he established in the MARITIME case, t6
do all he can to put former Senator
Smith in the United States Senate
Such an outcome of the present Dem
ocratic strife would be no more ex
traordinary than was Smiths election
to the Senate in 1893, or his defea
in 1911.
State Assessor George L. Record
who has just returned from a cam
paign tour through the Middle West
says there is considerable opposition
in that section to the denomination
of President Taft. Mr.. Record wen
West in the interest of Robert Il
Toilette, the Progressive candidat