The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-10-07
ESTABLISHED 1875

recognition and have the confidence Of
the public to an unusual extent For
mer Governor Stokes now occupies this
position in New Jersey, and every day
adds strength to the belief that his
triumphant nomination will be sue
ceeded by an equally triumphant cleo
ton
The career of Edward G. Stokes fur
nishes inspiration to all young men.
Early in life he started to shane his
course in public life, and without
wealth, position or influence to aid him
he persevered until his state has Civ
en- to him her highest honors and is
again about to signally honor him.
And it goes without saying that If he
be elected governor in November the
eyes of the nation will be turned to-
ward the man who can do these things
Mr. Stokes is a lineal descendant of
Thomas Stokes, the first Of that name
to come to America, in the seventh
generation. His father was Edwin Fl
Stokes, son of William Stokes and Ann
Williams His mother was Matilda q
Kremble, who came of an English fam
fly which settled in Burlington county
In the latter part of the seventeenth
century. Although the former gov
ernor was born in Philadelphia. all Of
his ancestors on both sides were Ter
seymen.
Edward G. Stokes was educated in
the public schools of Millville He
took course preparatory for college
IT the Friends school. Providence
X. l., and graduated with second hon.
ors at Brown university In 1888. On
account Of the Ill health of the presi-
dent Mr.. Stokes was given a position
In the lIillville National bank, Of
which his father was cashier He soon
began to interest himself In the educa-
tional work Of the city and in 1889
was elected superintendent Of public
schools. In the following year he was
elected a member of the house of as
sembly and reelected in 1891. In 1892
he was elected member of the senate
of New Jersey and reelected for tw~S
additional terms He was chosen preS,~
ident of the senate in 1895. While he
was a member of the house of assem-
bly, he took an active part in opposing
the race track bills and coal combine
legislation, and he introduced and
pressed to its passage the bill provid-
Ing for the weekly payment of wages
in cash.
Mr.. Stokes has always been especial
ly interested in affairs relating to pub
lie education. He was chairman Of
the commission which revised and codi-
fed the present school laws. He was
the originator of the principle under
which nearly 100000 of the states
funds are annually appropriated for
local school purposes and by which the
state school tax has been reduced. He
has been a leader in formulating and
urging the passage of various bills to
this end. Every increase in the states
appropriations for public schools has
been earnestly advocated by him.
AS a business man he has spent his
life in connection with banking insti-
buttons, having been elected president
of the Mechanics National bank of
Trenton in 1899. He has naturally,
therefore, taken an active interest in
the states finances. He was the first
president of the New Jersey Bankers
association. He was chairman of the
legislative committee on appropriations
in 1900 and has been especially noted
for his opposition to extravaganza uses
of public moneys. At the close of his
term as state senator he was appointed
clerk of chancery, and in 1902 he came
within one vote of receiving the eau
Gus nomination for United States SEN
ator. For three years he served as act
ing chairman of the Republican state
committee.
He was elected governor of New Jer-
sey for term of three years on Nov.
s. 1904, by plurality of 51.644 over
Charles G. Black, the Democratic can
didate This is the largest plurality
ever given governor in New Jersey. i
Mr.. Stokes is still president of the
Mechanics National bank of Trenton.
He is also president of the Peoples
National Fire Insurance company of
Philadelphia and is a director on the
boards of several other companies
Since leaving the Office of governor
he has been much sought after in the
state as speaker and has appeared
at many notable occasions in the last
six years. He has gained well deserv-
ed fame as an orator, and his addresses
in the present campaign are being
eagerly looked forward to by his thou.
sands Of admirers