Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-09-15
DECLARATIONOF
PRINCIPLES BY
WILSON LEAGUE
Not Opposed to Organization,
but Seeks Freedom of
Opinion.

] Declaring that it is not opposed tc
political organization the Woodrow
Wilson Democratic League at a meet.
ing last night Issued a formal state
ment of it's principles. In directing
attention to its expression bearing on
organization the league asserts that II
demands freedom of opinion as well
as organization.
The meeting was attended by the
members of the campaign committee
and by several of the candidates. The
platform as adopted is as follows:
THE ticket of the Woodrow Wilson
Democratic League is the result of a
firm belief that its presentment is
necessary to enable anti-machine
Democrats to take part in the pri-
mary election. 1t was never intended
that the direct primary should de-
generate into a mere register of a
boss decree; nor was 1t assumed that
it's object should be so far frustrated
that the privilege of running upon the
ticket at all shall be sought from a
political ring or clique. The direct
primary was intended to secure the
nomination of Independent men. free
from boss domination and having
sufficient political conscience not to
be led like cattle after election.
I'VE are not office-seekers. The
oiiice-seeking habit is peculiarly the
mach'nes, and. If we We're addicted
TO 1t we would be machine Democrats
Men do not when they want political
Office, proceed to oppose the power
that has the disposition of 1t. What
we desire is a truly representative
democracy in this county, living up.
IN some measure, to the traditions of
the party as set by its great leaders
from Jefferson to Wilson.
Not Opposed.
I'VE are not opposed to organiza-
ton. We believe an organization 70
be the only effective means of carry
ing into effect a common purpose,
and we further agree that an organ
ization is made up of many opinions
where there cannot be agreement on
all points, but we do hold that any
organization worthy of the name
must have sufficient freedom of opin-
ion not entirely to arrest the wheels
of progress.
I'VE recognize the Importance of
the offices to which we aspire, and
we feel that every candidate seeking
election to these Important positions
should stand on his own feet, bur
we cannot refrain from pointing out
the complete isolation of the organi-
HdllOil III LDlS great county Oh LIS
sex, from both the state and the
national administration.
I'VE believe it TO be a reflection
on the intelligence of the people of
this county to have its representa-
tives completely at odds with the
enlightened policies of both the ma.
tional and the State administrations,
and pledge ourselves, if elected, to
bring about a change in this condi
ton of affairs. and reflect, as far as
we are able, the enlightened policies
of our party. and to that end we
pledge ourselves:
Il. To serve as faithful servants OF
the people.
80. To remember and apply the
maxim that true democracy is the
rule of the people.
80. To maintain our regularity as
Democrats by loyalty to the State
administration and to the splendid
national administration.
"a. To retain unimpaired the progress
sive legislation, State and national,
enacted under the leadership of
Woodrow Wilson.
"5 To work for a greater extent of
home rule in the conduct of municipal
functions.
sc. To support the constitutional
amendment for election OF assembly
men by districts.
~. To maintain and extend good
roads under honest contracts.
"s. To emphasize economy and eff
cheney In all offices to the end that
the tax rate, instead of rising, may
be lowered"