Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-08-05
CANNOT FOOL THE PEOPLE.

ers in adopting new ordinances and
changing rules so as to make 1t look
as If they were really doing some
thing. The people who read ac-
counts of these various transactions,
however, are not unmindful of the
fact hat election is approaching and
some of the excise commissioners, at
least, have expressed a desire to be
returned to the board for another
term.
But a p~erusal of the rules which
the board has adopted, and the read
ing of the ordinance which has been
passed on second reading, shows
but few changes of importance that
might tend to give the people more
confidence in the excise commission
ers. 1t is a pity hat the board did
not realize the need of new rules and
a new ordinance Immediately after
they were elected, instead of putting
off what slight reforms they are now
| attempting to make until a few
months before they must 60 before
the people for an endorsement.
No. II of the rules adopted by the
excise commission at its last meet
ing, which provided that voting
shall be by ballot" is the secret to
the whole trouble that arises between
the excise commissioners and the
public, As long as the members of
the board are able to hide behind
the secret ballot there is little chance
Of bringing about any great reform.
There ought not to be any secrecy in
the conduct of excise affairs in this
| city. If there Is an apparent neces-
sity for a license in any neighbor-
hood, or If there is good reason for
a transfer, an excise commissioner
ought not to be afraid to stand up
and say so. He ought not hesitate
to have himself openly recorded in
favor of such action, as long as our
present laws are in existence.
On the other hand. If a e sa-
loon is uncalled for or If there are
any reasons why a transfer should
not be granted, there ought to be no
hesitation on the part of the com
missionerg to vote in the negative
and let their fellow citizens know
how they vote. Until We can get
men on the excise board who are
fearless and independent enough to
defy the whole city if necessary in
standing for the right we are not
likely to have much improvement.
Even If the present excise com
m~issioners should start in at once to
do what they pledged themselves to
do before they were elected, it
would have little effect on the voters
who are to choose their successors
this fall. The reputation of the pres
ent board is notorious. Even the
saloonkeepers, themselves, are only
too ready to throw them put Of Of
fee at the first opportunity.
When the board was nominated
and when they came out over a
signed pledge agreeing to bring
about certain reforms, including the
reduction of the number of saloons
and the wiping out Of the dives, the
people expected that some good
would be accomplished by placing
them in office. The men stood well
In the community and there was rea-
son to believe that they meant what
they said when they made the solemn
| pledge to the people. Today, how
ever, they stand absolutely dis
credited and If any of them should
have the audacity to allow their
names to go before the public at the
| coming primary we believe they will
| be the worst beaten men that ever
ran for a public Office in this city.