Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-10-02
Fl ATFOR

forms adopted at the Republican and Democratic cohNeh'on'
Tuesday to suit everybody. AS is always the case in such docu-
tnents, there is something to be praised and something 10 De
condemned in both. After all, the public have to put but little
confidence in party platforms. They are generally drawn up
In such general terms that the political leaders can make them
mean almost anything they want them to mean after the cleo
tion.
Take the declaration for a referendum on The Suffrage
amendment in the Republican platform, for instance. This
plank provides that except where legislative members or can
didates have otherwise pledged themselves, we recommend
that the question of ratification of the women suffrage amend
ment be determined by a referendum vote of the voters OF the
State of New jersey" This is a mere subterfuge and a dodg-
ing of the issue. 1t defeats itself in the very wording Of the
plank. IT. is well known that many Republicans are pledged to
the ratification of suffrage amendment SO even if the Repub-
Iicans gain control of the legislature the referendum will not
be passed because the Republican platform lets those in favor
of the immediate ratification out and they, together with the
Democratic votes, will probably be able to ratfy the amend
ment. The party is neither for or against the suffrage. 1t per-
mits its members to vote either way they please. The plank
Is a straddle pure and simple. Governor Runyon's advice was
the wise course in this respect.
On the other hand, the Democrats, while taking a definite
stand in favor of the immediate ratification of the suffrage
amendment, make themselves ridiculous by trying to make the
voters believe that a state administration may alter the federal
constitution. The old cry of personal liberty is resorted to,
as if any Of us had what is termed personal liberty" Personal
%Dcfty means anarchy au any elldHc VI Ii hotitu1i VI
the United States only tends toward the overthrow of the ex-
listing government. To find a great political party advocating
such a course is more serious than the average voter is apt to
realize. Wheth we agree with prohibition or not, we have got
10 agree with the Constitution of the United States or we are
lost. On this issue alone the Democrats invite defeat by every
loyal American.
Again on the Public Utility Commission question the
Democrats go from bad to worse. 1t would be a serious mis-
take to make the Public Utility Commission an elective body.
Because one governor Numbered in selecting men for this com
mission is no reason for condemning the system. The Public
Utility Commission calls for men of exceptional skill and train
ing. Such men cannot always be picked at the primaries or at
the general election. Personal popularity, regardless of fit
ness, is too often the deciding feature at an election. The Pub
lie Utility Commission can no more be left to such a method of
selection than can the selection of a general for an army. The
most popular man and the man who might get the most votes
is not always the best general, by any means.
Besides, the tendency is to make the ballot shorter and
not longer. Elect a few men to Office men with whom it is
possible for the voters to get personally acquainted and then
h8fd-them responsible for the conduct of public affairs. 1t is
safe to say that had the people known as much about the cali
bre of the men Governor Edge appointed to the Public Utility
Commission as they do now, he would never have received the
vote that he did when running for United States senator. His
action in the matter has greatly shaken public confidence in
hin and no other governor is likely to make such a mistake.
BY all means get the Public Utility Commission out of politics
and keep it out as much as possible.
The Republicans, In their platform r~epudiate the Edge
principle of pay as you co. in making public improvements
The Republican platform really adopts the principle advocated.
by Senator Edwards, now the Democratic candidate for gov
ernor, in the matter of issuing bonds for the Hudson river tun-
incl, the ship canal and other large projects.
But the most noticeable feature about the conventions Is
The serious break between the Essex and Hudson factions in the
Democratic party. Mayor Hague, of Jersey City, is the new
recognized boss of the state Democracy and Nugent will not
speak to him. There always has been a bitter feud on between.
the Hudson and Essex Democratic organizations an, knowing
Nugent of old, it is safe to predict that he will see a Repub-
llican administration in control Of the state before he will see
Hague In the saddle at Trenton. Unless Nugent can pile up a
big enough majority for Edwards to offset what Essex will do
10 him in November he is defeated right now. With Nugent
ut is rule or ruin" and not until the Democratic party gets rid
of him permanently will it be able to give the state an admin
Iistraton free from Nugent dictation. AS long as Nugent DOM
mates the party the people will not support it, and unless he