Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-10-01
HAND IN
MOOSE PLATFORM
0sborne's Supporter Differs
With Colby on Three I'M
portant Planks.
IFrom a stan Correspondent.I

IFrOm stan Correspondence
TRENTON, Oct. 1.-The formation
of the Progressive party platform
here yesterday resolved itself into a
battle between the factions led by
Everett Colby, the nominee for Gov
ernor. and George L. Record. who
supported the opposition candidate
Edmund B. Osborne. at the primaries.
The friction wasn't apparent, but it
was there. nevertheless, and resulted
In victory for the Colby forces.
The original draft of the platform
was submitted by Mr.. Colby, who ex-
planned it represented his own per-
sonal ideas. It's redrafting to suit the
delegates brought some changes fol-
lowing out the tenets of the Osborne
faction, without. however, materially
altering the fundamental principles
involved.
Jess Was Chairman.
Following the convention the State
committee met and organized, unani-
mously electing Frank b. Jess a its
chairman. The other officers elected
were as follows: Merchantmen,
Edgar A. Knapp, Union: secretary,
Francis d. Potter. Cumberland treas
urer. William Fellows Morgan, Essex
The committee also appointed a.
woman's campaign committee as fol-
lows:
Mrs. Frank A. Pattison, Of Mid
dlesex; Mrs. Walter K. Wildes, of
Passaic; Mrs. e. F. Fieckert, of Som
erset.
Mr.. Colby then expressed a wish
that the State committee act as his
managers for the campaign and the
committee appointed the following as
a campaign committees: Mr.. Morgan,
A. V. Robinson, ]. A. H. Hopkins,
Frank l.. Driver, and as campaign
manager, Axel V. Beeken.
The convention was opened shortly
after IL o'clock by former Governor
Franklin Fort. Rev. Samuel s. Mer-
ryman, of this city, said the prayer.
Mr.. Jess was then chosen as chair
man of the convention.
Three points formed the principal
basis upon which Mr. Colby and Mr..
Record differed. Mr.. CoIby's draft
provided for municipal ownership on
sewer, water and gas. On this point
Mr.. Record argued it was for any
body to say just how far municipal
ownership should go and that he
wanted the trolley company included.
Mr.. Colby argued that he was not
satisfied that municipal ownership
had proved such an absolute success
as to risk extending 1t to such a diff
cult problem as handling the trolley
service.
At the same time, while he was op-
posed to including the trolley lines
Mr.. Colby stated that the initiative
and referendum plank showed that
the Progressive party would not put
a barrier up against the people hav-
ing complete municipal ownership IL
they so desired, that his opposition
was purely personal opinion. A
compromise was finally effected by
excessive rate charges by public
utility bodies the plan of leaving it
to the people whether they wanted to
acquire such utilities or whether they
wanted to vest the Public Utilities
Commission with such powers effect
ing rate regulation.
Another point of difference was on
the question of taxation. The differ
ence was the same as the differences
of the public statements made in ref
erence to this question by Mr.. Colby
and his opponent. Edmund B. Os-
borne during the primary campaign.
ployed Immediately, while Mr.. Colby
wanted a gradual reduction of the tax
on buildings.
A third point that brought forth
quite a discussion before it was set
tied was the constitutional conven-
ton. Asked by Mr.. Record what rep
resentation he wanted in that con-
vention Mr.. Colby replied a fair one
possibly by Senatorial districts or any
other. Mr.. Record wanted a repre-
sentation by population, but did not
gain his point on this matter.
The platform as finally adopted is
in full as follows:
Progressive Platform.
We believe that in the organization of
the national Progressive party in l9l2,
and the platform adopted by it, an his
wide movement toward the people, in
which the warnings of humanity are
finding expression and through which the
ideals of the people. are to be realized.
We reaffirm our faith In the principles
declared in that platform.
We hold that all constitutions and all
statutes. having sprung from the people,
are subject to their modification IN the
methods provided by law. and should be
amended or repealed II at any time any
of these instruments of government work
injustice or fail to provide for exact
equal opportunity for every citizen with
out regard to sex, color or previous ma
II is time TO put humanity as Of first
Importance in government.
The Progressive party, in fidelity to the
causes to which 1t owes its existence,
pledges it's candidates, If given power,
to establish by legislation or by consti-
tutional amendment the Following prin-
I'VE favor the principle of the initiative
and referendum as applied to State legis-
lation and municipal acts and the right
TO recall all elective officials, to be exer-
cised not less than one year after they
are elected.
we favor the Wisconsin system of open
primaries to the end that each voter
may vote a primary party ballot without
revealing his party allegiance, and the
addition of the preferential vote.
! In consonance with our cardinal doc
trine that a government of the people
should be by and for the people, we
pledge ourselves to the proposition of
the equal right of suffrage for women
with men and to such action as may be
necessary to put 1t into effect.
We favor the principles of the commits
sion government act.
We stand for local self-government or
home rule in all municipal affairs, in
Guiding the matter of taxation and in
Guiding the power to change, alter or
amend Its municipal charter upon the
vote of the people Of the municipality.
We believe 1t is time to attack directly
the problem of high and increasinA cost
of living and to do something definite to
prevent the accumulation OF enormous
fortunes in the hands of few and the
hardship and poverty among
the workers of the State. This problem
has got to be solved in part by national
laws and in part by state laws. There
are two forms of privilege by which
few people are enabled to levy toll upon
the earnings of the many without rem
dering any service which can be reached
by State laws. The first privilege is the
exactioD of excessive rates for trolley,
gas, electric light and water service by
the public utility corporations Of the