Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-01-20
PROGRESSVEN
TONE AIMS At REFORMS IN TAXATION FINANCES AND INSTITUTIONS

the men in charge of polling places
are ignorant or corrupt, we are bound
to suffer from their Incompetence OF
vices, and since we cannot, by Law
make men intelligent or moral, we
should exercise more care in the
choice of those who are to perform
this most important duty. This can
be done through more stringent Civil
Service examinations, and ] would at
tract to these examinations all State.
county and municipal employees, by
providing that such of them as quail
fy for election officers shall be ex-
cused from their public duties on
registry, primary and election days,
without loss of pay. Men employed
in private business cannot, as a rule,
be released by their employers and If
my idea were adopted an intelligent
class of men would be available for
this public work.
"All political parties at their State
conventions declared for a preferen-
tial system of voting at the primaries
and I therefore feel it unnecessary to
more than mention the subject and to
express the hope that this will be one
OF the first matters to receive your
attention.
Scientific Farming.
Tn my recent travels about the
State, I have been impressed with the
Importance of our farming industry
and the necessity of furthering pro-
gressive and scientific development of
agricultural pursuits, not for the ben
eft of our farmers alone, but for the
urban communities as well. There
has been a remarkable shifting of
population from the country to the
city and an encroachment of our cities
upon the farm lands. I have seen 1t
stated that about rs per cent. of the
population of New Jersey Is rural.
This means that great number OF
individuals must depend upon the few
to furnish the food-supply for all and
that the few have diminishing num-
Der of acres upon which to raise their
produce. In order that the rural por-
ton of our State may produce sup
plies for the balance, the best and
most modern methods of agriculture
should be at their command. The
State Agricultural College at New
Brunswick offers splendid courses in
scientific farming to men and women,
but we should carry this knowledge
and instruction directly to the farm
and the farmer. He should be shown
by actual demonstration. appealing to
his eye as we'll as his brain, how he
can best use his lands. favor giving
luSIT uCtiOu anu pIdSllCdl uSiiiohoti O.
ton in agriculture and home econom-
les, under the supervision of the State
College, to those who cannot attend
this institution. The federal govern
ment is seriously considering this sub
ject, an appropriation from the ma
tional treasury to each State college
having been proposed, and If we will
join in the project a most important
industry will receive an impetus BEN
eficial to the whole State.
Departmental Changes.
Previous legislatures have thought
it wise to require the Governors ap-
prevail of certain contracts entered
into and expenses incurred by various
and boards, as well as to
plan for the construction of armories
and State buildings. Nearly every
legislature has added to the num-
Der of items which must thus be
brought to the Governors attention,
and now there is a miscellaneous
and burdensome assortment of con-
tracts, bills and building plans requir-
ing his approval to make them valid.
The greater number of these are of
no more Importance than those that
do not come to him. So large is their
number and so varied their subjects,
examination of all. and he
must depend upon the advice and as
sistance of others, usually the head
Of the department from which they
- and as these documents
come from and bear the approval of
the department head, the Governors