New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-29
RIVALS AWAIT .PLANKS !.
OF JERSEY REPUBLICANS
State Convention Platform Will
Indicate if Party Is Still Con.
tro|Ied by Stand-Pa alters.
FATE RESTS WITH STOKES
Won at Primaries on Promise
That He Favored a Construc.
tive and Progressive Policy
-Straddle for Democrats.

From a STAFF Correspondent Of The Tribune
Trenton, n. j., Sept. 2s.-The Republi-
can. Democratic and Progressive state
conventions will be held here Tuesday to
adopt platforms for the campaign. Al.
though eachI one OF them will be inter-
esting, the more Importance attaches to
the Republican gathering. because the
platform adopted there will be hailed
throughout the state and nation, Also as
an indication OF whether the Republican
party in New Jersey has become pro-
gressve or IS still in control OF the
stand-patters and reactionaries. IL all
rests with Ex-Governor l.. c. Stokes, the
Republican candidate for Governor,
whose victory at the recent primaries left
no doubt az to his popularity with the
rank and file of the party.
,, The victory was won on promise that
under his leadership the Republican
party in New Jersey would be con-
structlve and progressive so that there IL
considerable interest In the platform TO
be adopted on Tuesday as to just what
is Mr.. Stokes's Interpretation Of con-
structive and progressive legislation.
However, there isn't much doubt that Mr.
, Stokes will. In the main. draft the plat
form himself.
Close friends of Mr.. Stokes feel conf
dent that the platform Of the Republicans
this fail will leave no doubt az TO the
stand Of the party on such important
questions as grade crossings and taxa
ton which are now uppermost in the
minds OF most New Jersey citizens.
Neither will there be any doubt as TO the
feeling of the party toward every other
important problem. because under the
new style convention the platform adopt
ed constitutes a direct pledge. as the
! members Of the convention are candidates
for the Legislature. the candidate for
Governor. the holdover Senators and the
members of the state committee
The friends Of President Wilson will
control the Democratic convention. and.
with the Presidents candidate for Gov
ernor-Mr. Fielder-presiding, a national
flavor will be added to il. The platform
adopted there will represent President
Wilson's views. as well as the cand-
dates also. Naturally ii will be inter-
esting 10 learn what the President con-
siders to be the needs Of his home state.
The Democrats will have considerable
difficulty with their platform, however
especially when il comes TO grade cross
ings and taxation. \ grade crossing bill
fathered by Mr. Fielder. was passed by
the Legislature last winter. but it was at
once taken 10 the courts. where IL is be-
lieved it will take from three TO five years
for a decision. In the meanwhile the
grade crossing accidents will continue I'M
Interrupted The Democratic Legislature
last winter turned down also all save one
of the reform bills offered by the Tax IN
vestigation Commission. So that on these
two subjects at least the Democrats VII!
have TO do some straddling.
in the Progressive platform the most
important plank, perhaps, Will be that
hedging a reduction of the taxes on
buildings until they are assessed at ~ per
cent of their true value, the additional +"
per cent being thrown on land. TINS j.
one Of the cardinal pledges OF ex-senator
Colby. the Progressive candidate Tor
Governor. Mr.. Colby. it is understood
has plans in preparation for a campaign
witch will make people sit up and take
notice. Mr.. Colby has already indicated
what his campaign will consist Of when
he asserted the other day that both the
Republican and Democratic candidates
for Governor were reactionaries ana that
he was the only Progressive in the con
test for Governor.
The Republican. Democratic ana f'o-
eressive state committees will also meet
on Tuesday. The only one that looks as
though II will have trouble is the Demo-
cratic. where there are half dozen can
didates for chairman. including Jim
Nugent. Mr.. Fielder has come out ioF
Edward T.. Grosscup, the present cha"
man. II has not as yet been decided d.
IN who will be the Republican state cNa"-
man. although Edmund w NaSelee' V''
present chairman. seems TO be the mot
prominent candidate. Axel 5. Beacon ..
Bloomfield. will be chosen chairman "
the Progressive State Committee.
Tn PIUhI PRINCETON IIGEk