Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-10-21

than those of investigation and
recommendation law eminently
satisfactory to the railroad interests
of the State.
| During the three years that he was
| Governor he made no movement 10
/ correct the fragrant abuses i'll the
matter of the incorporation of private
corporations, and, in fact, is said to
have been the author of that portion
of the law which provided for the
| formation of the notorious holding
companies.
During the admlnistra ton the con-
troll of legislation was notoriously in
the hands of the Board of Guardians,
| composed of the old ring Republican
bosses, which forced the organization,
first, of the New Idea faction of the
Republican party and then of the
Progressive party
In place of passing the laws de-
manded by the people and promised
by the platform of his party 1t was
the custom of Governor Stokes to is
sue complacent messages advocating
Understanding principles after which
no laws were adopted embodying
these principles, and nothing was
done that would affect the special in
terests which contributed so largely
As q State senator he voted consist
emily with the railroad lobby. AS a
prominent example of this his vote on
the grade crossing bill in 1900 may be
taken. This bill providing for the
raising of railroad grade crossings,
rs per cent. of the cost to BIO borne
by the railroad and % per cent. of the
cost by the municipality. Stokes con-
tributed to the defeat of this bill.
thereby causing the expenditure of
many thousands of dollars by the
municipalities of this State, and
thereby retaining the removal of dan
gerous grade crossings.
During the time that he was Gov
ernor vast sums of money were al |
lowed to lie dormant in the Trenton |
bank of which he is now president. |
In most instances no interest was
paid upon such sums.
As 10 MIR. Stokes.
At the time of his nomination for |
Governor nine years ago he was a di- |
rector of the West Jersey and Sea- |
shore railroad, a company controlled |
and owned by the Pennsylvania rail- |
road, and under which most of the |
railroad lines in South |
Jersey were operated.
Strange to say his resignation as d. |
of public exposure of his relations
with the West Jersey and Seashore
railroad.
From this we can draw a very clear
of the alliance and the
policies of Ex-Governor Stokes. His
professions of reform have always
been for public consumption. His ac-
tons as an oliver have always been
In favor of private interests.
Candidate Fielder.
In turning from the contemplation
Of MI. Stokess corporation controlled
record we have in our candidate for
governor one who has always con-
sistently, by vote as a member of the
and by executive action
as governor of New jersey stood
firmly in favor of his platform prom
ises and the interests of the whole
people.
He assisted in the drawing of the
Geran election law and advocated Its
passage. Probably due to him more
than anyone else In the Legislature
was the final completed draft of the
bill.
He supported the public utilities
law, which placed corporations oper,
ating public franchises under control
Of the State government.
He advocated the employers la
bility law, which made the conditions
Of labor In this State tolerable
He supported the corrupt practises
act, which prevented the purchase of
public office
He was largely instrumental In the
passage Of the corporation acts
seven sisters). which removed the
stigma from New Jersey of being
the home of the trusts"
1t was he who provided a solution
IF the jury reform agitation, giving
speedy and practical solution of the
problem Immediately.
His support of President Wilson,
both as q factor in party politics and
Us governor of the State has defined
he issue of New Jersey clearly.
1t is Fielder the progressive against
stokes the reactionary.