Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-06-11
MATTHEWS SAYS
HIS END'SAT HAND
At Banquet in His Honor Ad-
nnits He Sees Private
Life" Signs.

After repudiating the methods of
the Democratic organization in Essex
county, Assemblyman John A. Mat
thews at a banquet rendered In his
honor at the Washington last night
admitted that he was through, polit-
iealiy. The signs of the times pointed
10 a private life, Mr.. Matthews de-
clared.
Governor Fielder who was the
FIRST speaker said. that he respected
Mr.. Matthews in many of his actions
while IN the Legislature. but he took
occasion TO criticise him for voting
against the jury bill, known as the
Fielder bill, which passed both houses
the last day of the session. The
governor advised Mr. Matthews that
: he would be much better off if he at
tended 10 his private business and
let politics alone.
Judge John w Weseott, of Cam
den, referred to Mr.. Matthews as one
who was endeavoring to advocate
and uphold morals in politics. Prose-
cutor Martin P. Devlin. of Mercer
county; Mayor Julian A. Gregory. OF
East Orange and Mr.. Matthews him.
self were the other speakers.
Their speeches consisted mainly or
attacks upon the Democratic organi-
cation and complimentary remarks
on Mr.. Matthewss record in the
LEGISLATURE. Joseph P. Tumulty, sec
rotary TO President Wilson, and
James Kerney, owner of the trenton
Times, were seated at the speakers
table. Mayor H. Otto Wittpenn, OF
Jersey City, was unable to be present
Mr.. Matthews during his remarks
said:
II am rather disposed to think that
xe have gathered in protest rather
than in appreciation; in protest, not
against men. but against methods;
in nrotest against methods which
have necessitated such an event as
that of this evening; methods which
have. in our county and State, made
independent men in public life an ex-
ception. and which have sacrlfced
promising and able members of both
political parties TO the game Oh
politics.
I'm the Democratic party in our
own county a man who would do the
peoples will as he sees 1t and un-
derstands it, is not regular II ne
opposes the methods which expert
ence has shown to be subversiVe Oh
popular government,
II am firm believer in organiza-
tion in politics. l am a Democrat and
have never borrowed any mans name
10 prove my Democracy. L am, as
have said on numerous occasions, an
organization man in politics, with the
accent on the man. and l think L
have demonstrated by my course in
the Legislature, when organization
fnterferes with my manhood. when
the organization places itself above
the popular veal; when, in word,
organization is a bluff and a blind
10 subvert popular government and
10 subserve the interests of a hand
fnE of the organization, then 1 most
respectfully and emphatically dis
sent from such methods.
Il have no sympathy with the man
IN politics whose cure is the total
demolition Of the party in which the
evil exists No great reform was
ever accomplished from without.
Rather, 1t is the slower, If you will,
but THE surer and lasting material
reformation which makes the old new,
the sick WELL which weeds out the
Yrowth which has checked progress.
1T is not the Democratic organi-
cation in our county which is at fault.
The thousands of Democratic votes
cast by the organization men on cleo
ton day are in the vast majority hon
est votes, but it is the leadership and
the methods of leadership that are the
reals evil. We have seen proof of
this Statement but a short time ago.
My position is plain and open.
My politics is not a game; it is a
means TO popular government. Or
ganization in politics, to me, is a
cause, not an effect. We are organ
ized.to effect government; We are not
governed to effect organization.
Il am an organization man, but 1
repudiate the leadership of that or
ganization, and l call upon the thou
sands of Democrats in Essex county
to disregard factions and factional
differences and rally to the cause of
the people by supplanting those who
have led into bondage with those who
will lead into freedom-the new free
domg