The Penn's Grove record., 1913-01-17

matter which we cannot afford to neg
lect. If it cannot be satisfactorily
handled in an act, it might also very
well be put in the hands of the Pub
lie Utility Commissioners by addition
to their powers.
The Legislature of 1911 went a long
way towards recognizing the right of
full self-government on the part of the
municipalities of the State when it
passed the excellent bill permitting
the towns and cities of the State to
adopt the commission form of govern
ment at their pleasure. That was a
great step in advance. 1t has been
distinctly to the disadvantage Of the
cities and towns of New Jersey that
the Legislature has undertaken to reg
ulate their affairs and their powers so
infinitely from Trenton. Only the full
est and freest rights of self-govern-
ment will stimulate them to serve
their citizens as they should be
served The path of reform in that
field is unquestionably the path of
| greater freedom. The question of
municipal government is perhaps the
most serious question concerning the
organization of methods of govern
ment that now confronts US as a ma
ton. covet for New Jersey the hon.
or of showing the way of liberty and
self-respecting reorganization. We
should set our municipalities free to
organize their lives and exercise the
functions of self-government with less
dependence upon the Legislature of
the State.
At the same time, there are matters
in which uniform State regulation can
be made of immense assistance to the
municipalities. For example, it seems
to me imperative that a uniform sys-
tenn and method of accounting and of
public financial reports should be pre-
scribed by statute for the financial au-
thorities of our towns and cities. 1
hope that this Legislature will be able
to formulate and pass such a measure.
The information and materials are at
hand. In this matter, more perhaps
than in any other, students of munich
pal affairs have come to a substantial
agreement, both as to methods and as
to the practical advantages to be
gained.
While the Legislature should give
over its attempt to govern the cities
from Trenton, there are other things
to which it can turn it's attention in
which we are beginning to see a new
and immensely beneficial function for
the State. The farmer has not been
served as he might be and should
be. We have set UP and subsi-
died agricultural schools, horticul-
tural schools, schools of poultry
breeding, and the rest, and they have
done excellent work. Our support of
them should be hearty and generous.
But a more effective way still has
been found by which the farmer can
be served. Lectures and schools and
experimental farms attached to
schools like laboratories are excellent,
but they do not and cannot of them
selves push their work home. Some.
States have gone much beyond this,
and we should follow them with zest.
The thing that tells is demonstra-
tion work. The knowledge OF the
schools should be carried out to the
farms themselves. DR.. Seaman A.
Knapp found the way when he was
sent into the South to fight the boil
weevil. Choosing a good farm and a
good farmer here and there, he show
ed the farmer how to cultivate part of
a field. gave him simple fundamental
directions, brought him selected seed,
and made frequent visits afterward to
see that his directions were carried
out. OF course, the neighbors prompt
ly took notice and the next season did
the same things,-with the same re-
suits, good crops, earlier crops, crops
that the weevil was no match for. And
fighting the Weevil was only an Incl
dent. The work grew in every direc-
tion,-not work in the schools, but
work suggested and directed by men
sent u from the schools to take sci
ence to the farm, until the agricultural
department could not supply the men
called for from every direction. The
countryman began nee more to come
into his own. When the farmer does
fully take science into partnership
and become his own master and for
tune builder, the day will be gone once
for all when the townsman can tax
him and ignore him and absorb unto
himself the powers of government at
his pleasure.
=
1t does not require a great deal of
money to train men and send them
out for this work; and when nee it
is begun it goes on of itself. Private
persons, voluntary independent asso-
Citations, county authorities, take it up.
1t is a thing that gives life as it goes.
1t awakens countrysides and rouses
them to take charge of themselves. 1t
is not help from the government, it
is merely light from the government.
The light does the rest. We should
give ourselves the pleasure, the pride
and satisfaction, of putting New Jer-
sey forward to set an example in this
truly great and intelligent work for
relaying the foundations of wealth
and prosperity in the United States.
This is the way also to attack the
problem of forest preservation and re-
newal, demonstration work done
throughout the State by way of exam
pie, until it is demonstrated not only
how the forests ear be preserved and
renewed, but also how profitable they
can be made without waste,-at once