Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-10-02

local or community affairs the fullest
expression of the spirit of Demo-
cratic institutions. If, as Lincoln
said, no man is wise enough to gov
ern another, then surely the voters
of other communities are not quail
tied to select lawmakers capable OF
justly and sanely making laws for
the regulation OF our purely local ana
domestic interests.
1t seems to US, at this time, in
cumbent upon all voters, regardless
OF party affiliations, to determine
upon supporting only such candl-
dates for the state Legislature as
are pledged to work and vote, in sea-
son and out, for the realization OF
local or municipal home rule.
Our present system of outside die
tatlon and the interferences and limi-
tatlons imposed by state laws is de-
structlve OF local aspirations, COM
munity pride, and lively interest in
our own affairs. This system is ac-
tually demorallzing in it's effect upon
our voters and citizenship generally.
Inc present system robs US, and
all other communities in the state, of
1ull opportunity for local self-respect.
IL takes away from our voters and
our local officials that essential ele
ment of personal responsibility which
is the very life and inspiration OF
democratic institutions.
Probably the most demoralizing effect
OF the system we are now condemned
to submit to is that it very effectively
breeds contempt for the state laws
and also puts premium on every
form OF evasion and the Winking at
local violations when the state laws
happen-as they so often and gen
orally do-to impose conditions that
conflict with the habits, desires, Gus
toms and actual needs of such COM
munlties as are differently situated
and constituted from the general
average for which these uniform and
hxed state laws are apparently de-
signed.
1t is high time that American vot-
ers In all states awakened to the fact
despite our boosted liberty in this
country the system of state laws,
which is almost universal, holds
nearly every local community under
the iron heel of enactments imposed
by legislators, who are totally igno-
rant OF and in many cases inherently
at enmity with, or jealous of, the
local conditions and needs of the
communities that they make the laws
for.
By all means let all Palisade vot-
ers see to it that no votes are given
to candidates who do not pledge
themselves to do everything in their
power to remedy this gross injustice
In the state are subjected.
We, as a community, are entitled
to both the credit and responsibility
for our government and local house
keeping. Once the state desists from
meddling in purely local affairs there
will arise the possibility of holding
communities and their local officers
responsible, and then there will be
generated friendly rivalry among
neighboring communities, such as
will stimulate to demonstrate their
ability to evolve and aspire to ideal
conditions. But what is the use of
any such attempts when we are lit
orally tied hand and foot by state
regulations that prohibit local initia-
tive?
Palisade voters should think about
this!
All voters, regardless of party ties,
should get together and appoint
committees to wait on prospective
candidates for the state legislature
ascertain their views on this vitality
important matter. They should de-
mand of all such candidates a pledge
that they will faithfully strive to ad-
vance and work for such revision
of the state laws and constitution as
will insure the realization of the
ideals herein set forth. Should they