Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1912-12-11

defeated in the primaries, but on the
contrary ran great many hundred
| votes ahead of the highest Democrat
| on the primary ticket Then it
pleased the agents of Mr.. Hinchliffe
| in the liquor business in Bergen
county to threaten my defeat at the
election, but the Bergen county
voters, who know me reasonably well,
and know that l have no narrow
views on public questions, disregard
ed Mr. Hlnchliffe's activities and gave
me by far the highest vote of any
man on the county ticket.
Bears No Enmity to Brewers.
Then, when friends of Governor
Wilson asked me to become a oandi-
date for the speakership, Mr.. Hinch-
life made himself again numerous
and persuasive in his hostility, He
controlled the five Assemblymen from
Passaio county, and, despite repeated
assurances from prominent men in
the party that l had no particular
enmity to the brewery business, and
was often known to unblushingly
take glass of beer, when l felt like
it, he remained implacable, and de-
clared that he would take anybody
but Hennessy. With him, 1t must be
beer first and the interests of the
party and the people afterwards.
well, he has had his way for the
time being. thanks to the assistance
of Mr.. Nugent and the Newark brew
ers, plus the assistance, as 1 am told,
of Mr.. Collins. of Union county, also
brewery gentleman, and not for
getting a brewery gentleman from
Trenton, who Is said to have been
quite concerned about seeing, that the
wrong man, which described me. did
not get into the speakers chair.
Believes In Home Rule.
Now, would like to make it plain
that this opposition is not due to any
views which 1 hold or have expressed
on the liquor question. for on that
question, I think, my position is the
commonplace and ordinary one of the
average sort of man. l am far from
being a prohibitionist. l take drink
of what pleases me. when 1t pleases
me, and I want every other man and
woman of responsible age to have the
same privilege. While l regret the
unwisdom that leads some men and
women to drink things (and eat
things, too,) that do damage to both
health and character, would oppose
a law that would undertake to regu-
late their habits in these respects.
but | am a believer in municipal
home rule on the liquor question, the
taxation question and OH every other
municipal government question.
politically, when I am called upon to
act.
Wants Brains in Politics.
Therefore, when "A bill came before |
the Legislature proposing to give
every f-governing municipal unit |
in the State the right to determine |
for itself, by majority vote, after de-
referendum, whether or not |
liquor licenses should be issued in |
that community I recognized that an
essential principle of popular rule
was involved in the matter, and
voted for the bill ] will vote for
such a bill again if 1t comes before |
the Legislature, and l will do so
whether one man votes with me or
fifty, for l am convinced that the
principle involved is a just, demo-
cratic principle, whether beerrnakers
or liquor dealers like it or not.
81 know that there are sensible and /
practical men in the beer and liquor
business in New Jersey who don't
accept Mr. Hinchliffe as guide and
as well as in their business. These
men do not go out of their way to
invite lasting resentments from
people who are naturally unfriendly
to business that is not. distinguished |
for its popularity.
Praises Speaker Taylor.
Now, while nobody is responsible
for my opinion except myself, I feel |
free to say that my views on thu
local option question are Identical
with the views of Governor Wilson.
Like him, I would deprecate the In
PRODUCTION of the liquor question, or
any phase of it, into party politics,
nor would make it any part of Leg
islative program for which / would
personally strive. It is a distra citing
and disturbing issue that when it
lttains preemInencc in the minds Of |
men IT the councils of parties. tends
to obscure and delay action on far
more important issues Of common
concern. I am personally interested
in many public questions that 1 con-
slider more important"
Mr.. Hennessy was particular 70
have it understood that he intended
no reflection upon lis successful rival.
Speaker Tayior. Mr. Taylor has as
sured me that he will be independent
OF private interests and influences"
said he, land I believe him. He is
an ahle young man, and / will give
him my loyal support in making rs
administration successful"