The Penn's Grove record., 1912-06-07
HOW The HOUSE
DODCED ISSUES
Partisan Jealousy and Peanut
Politics Characteristic Of
the Late Session.
POLITICAL MACHINES FIGURE

Bills Wanted by the Bosses Quickly
Passed, While Measures Desired by
the People Were DisdainfuIly Treat
ed-Governor Wilson Acted Promptly
and Showed the Difference Between
Honesty and Hypocrisy.
A distinguishing feature of American
political life In the last decade has
been a growing dislike, not to say posi-
MED by a corresponding tendency to
elevate the executive rs the real and
reliable trustee of the citizens politi-
cal interests, and to seek safety In d.
rect legislation. The proof of this fact
lies in the rapid spread Of the initia-
tive and referendum, aimed to take
power from legislatures. This senti-
ment does not exist without a reason.
Our legislatures have not usually
been characterized by dignity, repre-
sentative nature or practical common
sense. The citizen regards them &C
cordingly. And, unfortunately, the
New Jersey legislature just closing has
added to the general impression. It
will not be a source of surprise if we
find the doctrines of the initiative and
referendum getting a further "boost"
In New Jersey.
The main characteristic of the ses-
sion so far displayed has been a par
tsan Jealousy of Governor Wilson, a
Jealousy carried so far as to blind the
majority to logical reasoning. On mat
tiers dealing with politics-the science
Of government-partisanship was in
evidence in the Republicans treatmer+
of election his and changes in the cor
rupt practices act. "Win it help blind
partisanship?' was the question they
asked, and .ney voted in favor of every
bill where the answer was in the af
frmative. The governor by his. We
toes. has plainly proved that he asked
himself the question, "Will the bin fur
ther honest and decisive elections ant
bring us nearer truly representative
government and based his action OF
the answer. With the majority legis
lators the motive was the STRENGTHEN
ing of party organization: with the GOV
ernor it was honesty in the conduct o.
elections.
The governor consistently stood fol
the principle of putting authority ant
responsibility for salary increases anf
the like upon the administrative Off
GERS whom the citizens concerned could:
reach, and who would be supposed t.
know how deserving the proposed ben
efciaries were.
"We cannot afford to be p~roficate.'
said the governor in disappearing the
incidental appropriations. we need
the patronage" was the reply of the
Republicans, not set forth in words
but in act.
There were a large number Of ILLS
affecting the principle of home RAJ,
on which the lawmakers and IN GOV
rno differ. If the boss wanted Il hi
passed or Ne measure would hit the
"other fellow" it was enacted into
law. If it was opposed to real home
rule it vas vetoed, even though the
sustaining Of the disapproval meant
assistance to the governors most bitter
antagonists.
An interesting feature was the differ.
ence in the knowledge of practical
things displayed by the governor, and
the Republican majority. They di.
verged time and time again, and In
each case the governor showed the SUI.
periOr knowledge Of practical details.
Just to sun up, the Republicans
were in favor of good measures which
did not affect machine policies. Gov
ernor Wilson stood for good measures
without qualification.
The Republicans did not hesitate to
support Illogical measures if by so do.
ing they believed the success of their
party would be advanced. Governor
Wilson, on the other hand, proved by
his vetoes that ~partisanship was not
his guiding motive in disappearing of
bad bills.-Newark Evening News.