The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-02-07
FIXING BLAME
FOR DEADLOCK
Republicans Say Democrats Have
Talked Themselves Into AWk-
ward Positions.

Trenton, Feb. 5.-The delay imposed
upon important legislation by the long
continued deadlock In the house of as
sembly has been generally and right
fully regarded as serious matter, and
1t is natural that each of the two polit-
onus on the other. There is no doubt
that time will fix the responsibility
where It belongs.
Meantime 1t Is interesting TO take
up some of the arguments which have
been put out to influence the situation
or to defend the one party or the other
before the bar of public opinion. That
the Democrats have done most of the
talking doesn't necessarily indicate
that they have the larger bulk Of ra-
tional arguments on their side. In
fact, the Republicans declare that dur
ing the long discussion the Democrats
have talked themselves into some very
illogical positions.
For instance, the Democrats have
maintained that the election of enough
additional representatives of their par
ty to tie the house Of assembly means
that the voters of the state as a whole
have expressed dissatisfaction with
the present Republican administration
and a preference for Democratic ad-
ministration. To this the Republicans
reply that the big Democratic gain In
the legislature was due to the election
OF II Democratic assemblymen in Es-
sex county, where the result turned on
the prohibition question, not on Issues
connected with the state administra-
ton. The Republicans had set of
"dry" candidates. and the voters didn't
want them; that was all. Essex has
always been known as hotbed Of
antl-prohibition sentiment.
G. o. p. Got $4,000 More Votes.
Furthermore the Republicans receiv-
ed some $4,000 more votes In the state
than the Democrats did, fact which
could hardly be taken as rebuke to
the Republican administration.
Were 1t not that the Democrats were
persistent In their attacks on the gov
ernor, charging him with interfering"
and going so far as to place upon him
the responsibility for the prolonged
deadlock, the Republicans were In
clined to let them do all the talking
they wanted to on the general theory
that when ones opponent has the
wrong side of the argument It is the
part of discretion to let him make all
the noise he can.
When the history Of this famous
deadlock comes TO be written. as some
day no doubt 1t will. the governor will
be set down as having been guided In
his attitude by the pressing need Of
getting the two parties together at the
earliest possible moment for the en-
actment of legislation to meet great
which have arisen as a
result OF the war and Of the readjust-
ments necessitated by the resumption
of the normal activities of peace.
In this connection 1t VIII be recalled
that In his annual message to the leg
islature he appealed impartially to
both parties In behalf of a businesslike
session and declared he felt certain
that the even division of political
power In one branch of the legislature
Will not In any way interfere with the
harmonious relations which we have
hitherto enjoyed in our common task
or initiate against legislation so ur-
gently needed In the interests of na-
tional and state welfare. I offer exec
ntlve cooperation of the heartiest
he said. without regard to
the personal or political authorship OF
bills to the end that this session NAV
well serve the purposes and needs of
the people whom we represent"
Hard Up for Arguments.
In the light of the attitude he has
assumed from the start the Republic-
ans say that the Democrats have been
hard put to 1t for arguments TO sus.
-ain their position when they charge
he governor with interference" and
attempt to shift upon him the blame
'or the deadlock In his message AT
he opening of the session he plainly
stated that he would offer "executive
cooperation and if he had not done
20 In an emergency which proved more
'erlOus than anything he had antici.
,ated he would have gone back on his
promise.
Furthermore, the Republicans saw
he governor has recommended GER.
ain important legislation In accord
IDce with his constitutional prerooa.
ives, and he would be very queer
lind of governor If he hadn't taken q
land In the involved situation in tba
rope that he might smooth the path
or the enactment of this legislation
'r such other legislation as NAV he
ieemed necessary or expedient. And
10 1t is argued that the cry of "inter-
'erence" Is very much on the order of
political camoufiage.
Gain may be temporary and uncer-
ain; but expense is constant and GER
War Savings Stamps.