The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-03-01
JERSEY SWINGS
BACK TO BoSSISM
Wilson's. Own State Returns to
Rule of Few Headed by Gov.
Edge and David Baird.
REACTIONARIES IN CONTROL
Not, However, Through Elec-
tion or Will of People.
Executive to Blame.
J(By David Lawrence.)

| ~(By DAVID Lawrence
| (Copyright, 1918, by New York Eve
ming Post Company
America 10 at war trying to make the
world safe for democracy and the sup
position is that the principles of lib
eraIism are implanted firmly enough a.
home to make US worry very little
about domestic autocracy and bour-
bonisn,.
But right in front of our noses-in
President Wilson's own state, New Jer-
sey-something has just happened
which signifies a swing back. a retro
gression, return to reactionarism
and the rule of the few, to bossism and
all the obnoxious practices which were
repudiated by the people when they
elected Woodrow Wilson governor in
1910.
Eight years. absence of the most
progressive magistrate the state OF
New Jersey ever had and the forces OF
reaction finally are on top, but not
through an election, not through the
will of the people, but through Gov.
Edges appointment to the United
States senate of an d-fashioned po-
litical boss-Hon. David Baird, Of
Camden county.
So distasteful is the selection, even
to republicans, that Senator Frelng-
huysen, republican, Of New Jersey. In
a statement repudiates the published
intimation that he was consulted about
the appointment beforehand.
Denounced by Wilson.
Mr.. Baird is to New Jersey what
Penrose Is to Pennsylvania. Mr.. Baird
Is to the republican party what Jim
- l. i H.. S<lI Dat 4.
Smith and Baird were openly de-
nounced by Woodrow Wilson and as
yehemently fought in his memorable
restoration of the state from the hands
of the bosses to liberal and progressive
spokesmen. And that fight helped ma
terially to get Mr.. Wilson national
support. 1t made him president.
Walter Il. Edge, governor of New
Jersey, dreamed dream of upward
journeys in the political world. What
one New Jersey governor had done, he
thought, could be repeated. But what
ever Mr.. Edge may have done to give
the fmpresslor of efficiency heretofore
has been swept aside by his surrender
to overweening ambition-the thing
that has so often poisoned clear think
ing and sincerity in public men.
Many a man has steered straight
forward course, has even camouhaged
reveal by sudden play that he was
merely using his Office to further his
own political ends.
Here are the facts: Gov. Edge ap- !
points David Baird a United States
Mr. Baird Is 7S years of age |
too old to be a candidate to succeed |
himself. And Gov. Edge in a public |
statement practically let's it he known |
that in the regular election next fall |
L. Ii
able him to do so, he must get a man |
who will surely retire. a man with |
whom he can reach an understanding, |
and New Jerseyites know how many |
political understandings have been |
Baird's since the days OF the famous |
board OF guardians" who ruled the |
state of New Jersey in high handed |
self sufiiciency until, by an overwhelm- |
ing vote. the people chose n college |
professor. a man unframed In politics. |
but with a personality that seemed to
ring true, and gave him the reins OF
government.
Breaking Down Safeguards.
And he put on the statute books |
legislation to safeguard the people |
against further wrongdoing But lit
tie by little, by one political trick or
another, by jokcrs and ambiguous pro-
visions, Gov. Edge has attempted to
break down those safeguards until to-
day he Is putting through the legisla-
ture an amendment to the Geran act
the governor will have power
to dictate the makeup OF all county
election boards and through them will
control 1000 district election officers.
All politicians in New Jersey will
ell you privately that a candidate for
United States senator Mt next Septcm-
Der's primaries could hardly wish for
/ more efficient method of personal
control Furthermore. Mr.. Baird is ex-
)ected to deliver south Jersey repub-
leans when Mr.. Edge enters the re-
publican primaries for senator. The
rade is palpable.
All this in the presidents own state,
which had come to be regarded as n
progressive state. All this at time
when the cries of oppressed peoples
or a voice In their government. for
elf-deterrnination. for n freedom from
he bondage of permanent srmaments
md from doctrines OF all for militar-
SINS oligarchy and nothing for the
oilers, Is causing an Unprecedented
lpheaval-the readjustment OF tho So
ial order in the whole world.
To think Of David Baird as voting
n the United States senate for the
-reat state of New Jersey, ard when
lot voting TO see him sitting in COM
nitteos where legislation for the con-
uct Of democracy's war Is being dis
ussed-is TO think Of Mark Hanna ,
'ack In harness again and sundry
ther persons who nauseated the re- n
pectable elements OF the republican ,