The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-01-20

his veto or recanea On his suggestion
10 prevent veto at the session OF 1910
alone
70 secure tie approval Of an act
hGgiug his term It has been necessary
10 show chat II YVES Eesh needed and
In the interest of the people. Being
n lawyer of large experience he was
familiar with all the statutes of the
state. He could not be mlsled MS to
the force and effect of proposed laws.
The fact is he brought to the office his
judicial methods and applied them to
his duties. His only test ms to all mat
ters of state policy or legislation was.
rs it good, and will il be of general
public adyantage?'
Governor Forts astuteness and
knowledge were well displayed n wear
ago when he required the legislature
10 pass The trolley freight bill three
lines before 1t met with his approval.
As the measure was Asst sent TO him
II was framed so that the street rail
way companies of the state would have
reaped inestimable privileges in nm ON.
nibus fashion and without property
safeguarding the Interests OF the munir-
qualities of the state The COVER
nor returned the bill with sugges-
lions for making II safe and riGe-
tical one. Urged by an influential
corporation lobby, the legislature pass-
cd the bill hurriedly Tor the second
lime and sent II to the governor The
after quickly discovered Joker III
/ that made Il as bad as the bill he
1ad returned. Tremendous influences
we're brought against him to induce
him to sign 1t. He was not to be
'ooled and cajolcd, though The bin
was returned 10 the lawmakmg body
Tor second time, and II was finally
enacted in conformity with the COVER
1or's demands.
In the disposition of legislative meas
ares the severest test to which Mr..
Fort was put at any time during his
administration was In connection with
he enactment of public utility com
mission bill As nearly every one
Knows, the governor had presented 10
him for his approval or disapproyal at
HE close of the last legislative session
4 public utility bill Ii was passed as
4 doathbed repentance of the totter-
ing Republican machine As rushed
through the lawmaklng mill under
orders from the bosses II was minus
I ratemalSlng power clause. In this
o., - f.gte,v srrfth A N
sistent demands that had been made
by the governor. From the bosses
point Of view 1t served two purposes
first, IL was sop to the public
second, II was intended 10 put The gov
ernor ''in a hole" The bosses figured
II out that If the governor signed II
he would be criticised for having Z
hand in such makeshift affair; If he
vetoed il, then the bosses calculated
that they would be able TO turn the
tables against him and proclaim
why look at what he has done, We
passed the bin that he has been de
maading. and he has vetoed it, 1t
was a fatuous point of view for the
bosses TO take.
Governor Fort displayed great per
spicuity In dealing with this situation
He felt that the bill as presented to
him was totally inadequate to the de
mands Of the public BY strict reason
ing he would have been justified In
sending II 10 the legislative graveyard
However. experience has shown him
as II has all others who follow law
making affairs. that progress Is made
by sometimes accepting half Loaf
where whole loaf is due He signed
the bin, accompanying his act by Il
public statement that rang with crit
clsm for the double dealing politicians
II is this bill. now In operation as Il
law, that viii be clothed with rate
making power II Democratic Republic
an pledges are to be taken at face val
ne in the present year
Governor Fort has at all times dur
Ing his term refused to consider any
other place or seek any other Office
His statement made early IN his tern
that he proposed to serve the people II
the office OF governor until the cloch
struck u" on the day his successor
should be indicted into office has beer
fulfilled
He has been peoples governor
without regard to any political or 9th
or influences. and that they appreciate
It they will demonstrate If opportunity
shall ever again be offered.
During his administration Governor
Fort has advocated. among other
things:
First.--The extension OF the direct pri
mary to all offices and to the selection OF
political committees
5econd.--A genuine, effective civil sery
Ice act
Third.-A public utilities act with ample
power for the correction of rates
Fourth.-Better laws for collateral In
heritance tax assessment and collection.
Fifth.--A physical revaluation Of all th'
railway property in the state as basis
Of taxation and the appointment OF ap
praisers for that purpose.
Sixth.-The dredging OF inland wa
terway from Atlantic Highlands to Cap'
- e..